MAC applauds AirWatch funding round as key indicator of Mobility strengths

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Metro Atlanta Chamber is celebrating a huge win for an Atlanta company and for metro Atlanta's rapidly growing technology industry.

Atlanta-based AirWatch announced Feb. 25 that it has landed a $200 million, early-stage funding round led by Insight Venture Partners. The news comes only a month after the booming mobile security company announced it would invest $60 million in an Atlanta expansion that would bring 1,000 more employees here over the next year.

"This is great news. AirWatch started here in Atlanta and has grown to be one of the hottest mobility companies in the world. We congratulate them on their huge success," said MAC President Sam A Williams. "This announcement builds on other major announcements across Atlanta's technology industry over the last year and shows that Atlanta is aiming directly at one of the fastest-growing  technology sectors."

AirWatch made its landmark announcement from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the biggest mobility trade show in the world. www.mobileworldcongress.com.

Atlanta technology and economic development leaders are attending the show as part of a strategic effort to position Atlanta as a global mobility hub. Atlanta is home to some of the leading mobility companies in the world and home to the largest content providers and marketers of mobile technology innovations, including The Coca-Cola Co., CNN, The Weather Channel and The Home Depot.

In 2012, MAC formalized the creation of the Mobility Task Force to build and promote Atlanta's mobile technology strategy. The task force is chaired by AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega and Turner Broadcasting CFO John Kampfe.

Metro Atlanta Chamber--Everything we do at the Metro Atlanta Chamber - from recruiting businesses to Atlanta from all over the world, to tackling policy issues - is about creating jobs and prosperity to help Atlanta thrive. Our board is made up of Atlanta's top business leaders. Our professional staff serves 4,000 member companies that employ nearly 1 million workers. We focus on recruiting headquarters and global business -- and companies in the supply chain and advanced manufacturing, bioscience, technology and business services sectors. In public policy, we tackle critical issues such as transportation, water and education. For members, we offer 150+ events and activities each year. In sports, MAC's Atlanta Sports Council has helped drive almost $2 billion in economic impact through sporting events over the last 10 years.

SOURCE The Metro Atlanta Chamber