ATLANTA – The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state’s leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry, today announced NextInput as one of its Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia. TAG will recognize this prestigious group at the 2012 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS) on March 28, 2012, at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

TAG’S Top 40 Awards recognize Georgia-based companies for their degree of innovation, the scope and financial impact of their innovations, and the effect of such innovation in promoting Georgia’s technology industry throughout the U.S. and globally.

“The Top 40 companies are shining examples of what makes Georgia a hotbed for innovation in technology,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “Georgia is home to more than 13,000 technology companies, so we applaud the 2012 Top 40 finalists for standing out as leaders in innovation and in Georgia’s technology community. These are the types of companies that will help Georgia become recognized as one of the top states in the nation for technology.”

“This year we had a 30% increase in the number of applications over the past few years.  We were very impressed by the quality and breadth of technology companies that applied,” said Dennis Zakas, a partner and founder of Zakas & Leonard, LLP, Chair of Group Office Buys, LLC, and chairperson of the Top 40 Selection Committee.  “It was very difficult to choose the Top 40 because of the large number of deserving companies. We expect great things from our winners.”

NextInput develops next generation touch technology that will power future tablets and smartphones and a variety of other consumer touch enabled products.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be recognized by TAG as a Top 40 technology company in Georgia,” said Don Metzger, CEO of NextInput. “It’s a testament the business and technical achievements our small team has made in a short amount of time, and also a reflection of the environment of technological innovation in Atlanta and Georgia as a whole.”

For more information about the Top 40 awards and the Georgia Technology Summit, visit http://www.tagonline.org/georgia-technology-summit.php . Follow the conversation on Twitter through #GTS2012. 

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 15,000 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

Read the article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

About NextInput

NextInput is an Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) company founded by Georgia Tech engineers and business professionals. NextInput is developing the next generation of human input technology for electronic devices, and the company’s touch solutions solve a number of key pains in a rapidly growing, $6 billion industry.

NextInput solutions, including ForceTouch®, are less expensive, consume less power, and provide better user benefits than existing touch technology for smartphones, tablets, and large format touch displays. The company is forming charter partnerships now with world-class companies in the mobile and display space – by 2014, NextInput touch solutions will be commonplace in a wide variety of electronics products.