Organization · Angel Group
Ritz Group - Atlanta
The Ritz Group is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta that connects early-stage companies with private equity funding through networking events and pitch competitions. It features a unique format called Shark Attack, where entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of investors.
Overview
What Ritz Group - Atlanta does
What Ritz Group - Atlanta is
The Ritz Group is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta that connects early-stage companies with private equity funding through networking events and pitch competitions. It features a unique format called Shark Attack, where entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of investors.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Angel Group
- Founded
- Founded in 2012
- Approximate age
- About 14 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 13, 2026
Official channels
Find Ritz Group - Atlanta elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Ritz Group - Atlanta as a funder
Investment thesis
The Ritz Group connects entrepreneurs with investors, enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem through resources and networking.
Focus narrative
The Ritz Group invests in early-stage companies and provides services aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their focus includes sectors such as technology and private equity, with a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs through various programs and initiatives.
Value beyond capital
The Ritz Group enhances the potential for business growth and investment by facilitating connections between entrepreneurs and investors, providing tailored resources and training.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Angel · Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
The Ritz Group features a range of notable initiatives and companies, including the Ritz Micro VC Fund, which selects companies based on their completion of the Capital Drill program; i-Match/AI, a member match community SaaS platform; Zeus.AI, an AI solution for managing digital identities; Family Health & EMS Portal, a platform for managing healthcare information for families; and Veterans Shark Attack, an initiative aimed at addressing veteran suicides through entrepreneurial support.
Capability profile
Ritz Group - Atlanta as a community
Community overview
The Ritz Group is a non-profit organization founded 40 years ago, based in Atlanta, Georgia. It focuses on connecting entrepreneurs with investors in the local community, providing resources such as technology, networking events, and training tailored for angel investors and early-stage entrepreneurs.
Community focus
The Ritz Group invests in early-stage companies and provides services aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their focus includes sectors such as technology and private equity, with a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs through various programs and initiatives.
Member value
Members benefit from networking opportunities, training programs, and access to resources that facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and investors, enhancing the potential for business growth and investment.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community, bootcamp, and course
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
The Ritz Group hosts several events, including the Angel Club, a think tank for discussing deal flow and investment topics; Digital Shark Attack, a virtual event for practicing pitches; Shark Attack 'Live', where companies present to investors; and Angel Pool, a quarterly event for angels to invest in pre-vetted companies.
Notable members
Notable team members include Steve Gross, Larry White, Whit Blakeley, and Jim Duffy.
Capability profile
Ritz Group - Atlanta as an event host
Event focus
The Ritz Group invests in early-stage companies and provides services aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their focus includes sectors such as technology and private equity, with a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs through various programs and initiatives. They aim to facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and investors, enhancing the potential for business growth and investment.
Format narrative
The Ritz Group hosts a variety of events including think tanks, virtual pitch practices, live presentations, and quarterly investment opportunities for angel investors.
Participant value
Attendees gain access to a network of investors, resources for enhancing their business, and opportunities to present their ventures for funding.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup and workshop
- Recurrence
- quarterly
- Modality
- online
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next event location
- Atlanta, Georgia
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include Larry White, who features in the Ritz Group Podcast.
Past editions
The Ritz Group has hosted events such as the Digital Shark Attack and Shark Attack 'Live', where companies present to investors.
Common questions
What to know about Ritz Group - Atlanta
Upseed classifies Ritz Group - Atlanta under the Angel Group organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 13, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.