Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus has announced he will continue to cover the incorporation costs for graduating students who wish to start their own businesses. The initiative, which began earlier, aims to encourage entrepreneurship among Georgia Tech graduates and support Atlanta’s startup community.
For students like Raghav Balasubramaniam, founder and CEO of Overcast, and Shreyas Mavanoor, co-founder of Cortexa Labs, the financial support has been instrumental in moving their ideas forward. “The incorporation gift genuinely shaped the future of my company,” said Balasubramaniam, a recent graduate with a master’s in computer science. “It allowed me to formalize Overcast at a time when it was just an idea on paper, and that legitimacy changed our trajectory for the better. The network that comes with this opportunity played an equally important role, giving me the space, mentorship, and push I needed to learn quickly, refine the product, and accelerate the company in a matter of months.”
Klaus’ offer also provides access to GT Spark — a program featuring workshops, hands-on support, and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs — which will now be available to this semester’s graduates as well.
Mavanoor noted that the gift was an opportunity to boost his startup’s engagement with customers and investors while contributing to Atlanta’s collaborative startup culture. He said: “This type of support for graduates signals that they’re serious about fostering a strong startup ecosystem within the Atlanta area and retaining the talent that graduates from Tech.”
A study by Boston Consulting Group highlighted that increasing local startups and retaining graduates are essential steps for Atlanta as it works toward becoming one of the top five technology hubs in the United States.
Klaus leads Fusen, a startup accelerator connecting students with founders, mentors, investors, and early-stage funding. His philanthropic efforts have also helped establish CREATE-X at Georgia Tech. Since its launch ten years ago in 2024, CREATE-X has supported more than 500 student startups. This latest gift is dedicated in memory of Klaus’ son Will.
Balasubramaniam encouraged new graduates: “Take the leap. Incorporating provides a legitimate structure to what would otherwise just be a whiteboard idea. The earlier you start, the more time you have to iterate, make mistakes, and discover what the company should become. The risk may seem large at first, but the upside of starting now outweighs it.”
Mavanoor advised peers not to let uncertainty hold them back from joining GT Spark: “Make use of it, because if not now, then when? I wouldn’t worry about trying to solve every problem before incorporating because there is so much to learn when starting a business, and this is a great advantage to join this professional network that can help you along the way,” he said.
Applications for Klaus’ incorporation gift are open until January 13, 2026; those interested are encouraged to apply by December 19 for priority consideration.
