The distinction came in the Winter issue of BusinessWeek Magazine's 'SmallBiz' edition, which included the four U.S. incubators as part of an article titled: 'Hatching a Success: Business incubators are back - and ready to transform your startup.'

The article noted that ATDC has graduated more than 100 high-tech companies since being founded 25 years ago. The article also mentioned Georgia Tech VentureLab, which was formed in 2001 to help guide faculty members through the process of launching companies based on Georgia Tech innovations.

Finally, the article reported the success of Jacket Micro Devices, a wireless chipmaker formed in VentureLab and now led by serial entrepreneur Jim Stratigos. The company, based on technology developed at Georgia Tech, has raised more than $8 million to support its growth.

Also included in the BusinessWeek listing was Norcross-based Intelligent Systems, an incubator formed in 1990. The two other incubators are the William M. Factory Small Business Incubator in Tacoma, Washington, and the Linux Collaboration Center in San Jose, Calif.

"It is always an honor to receive national recognition and attention for our program," said Tony Antoniades, general manager of the ATDC. "It further validates our impact and benefits our companies by bringing them extra exposure and credibility in the financial marketplace."

About the ATDC: Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center is a nationally recognized science and technology incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies, providing strategic business advice and connecting its member companies to the people and resources they need to succeed. More than 100 companies have emerged from the ATDC, including publicly-traded firms such as MindSpring Enterprises - now part of EarthLink.

Headquartered at the Georgia Institute of Technology, ATDC has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the nation's top nonprofit incubators. ATDC was formed in 1980 to stimulate growth in Georgia's technology business base, and now has locations in Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah and Warner Robins. For more information, visit (www.atdc.org).

ATDC News & Information
Georgia Institute of Technology
75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30308 USA

Media Relations Contact: John Toon (404-894-6986); E-mail: (john.toon@atdc.org).

Writer: John Toon