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How the Dutch Connection Helped Atlanta Woo a Global Software Company – Global Atlanta

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How the Dutch Connection Helped Atlanta Woo a Global Software Company – Global Atlanta


Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Hypepotamus. It is published on Global Atlanta as part of our content partnership with the Southeast’s top source for innovation news. Sign up for Hypepotamus newsletters here. 

To learn more about the Dutch connection to Atlanta and the role of the Netherlands Consulate General in Atlanta, join Global Atlanta Nov. 4 for the next edition of our Consular Conversations luncheon series, this time hosted by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

When Dutch software engineering and IT consultancy Xebia sought to establish a U.S. headquarters, they had their pick of prime locations.

With 28 offices around the globe, cities like New York, Seattle or San Francisco could have been the obvious choices from a tech talent pool perspective. However, as Xebia’s COO, Sandeep Makwana, shared with Hypepotamus, Atlanta emerged as the standout option for several compelling reasons.

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Yes, it was attractive to be close to the world’s busiest airport and one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies. It was helpful that Atlanta had a strong university system to help recruit top artificial intelligence and generative AI talent. And it was helpful that one of Xebia’s biggest clients was already located in Atlanta. But above other competing cities, Atlanta had something unique: A strong tie with the company’s home country.

The Netherlands and Atlanta share strong connections, and the country is the 8th largest export market for the State of Georgia. The city even played host to the Dutch Royal Family this summer as a sign of growing economic and cultural ties between the two places.

So the Dutch company has set up shop in Buckhead and is in expansion mode.

A look inside Xebia’s Atlanta office

Xebia Building Community In Atlanta 

The company’s leadership executives are spread out across the world (with Makwana sitting in Austin, Texas), but a growing number of them are located in Atlanta. That is strategic as the company looks to grow its Atlanta office, which is currently around 70 people.

“Our raw material is people,” Makwana added. “From a leadership and administrative perspective, you’ll see more and more [people] in Atlanta.”

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Sandeep Makwana, COO

Beyond local hiring (open positions listed here), Xebia has been working hard to integrate into Atlanta’s technology community. And to them, that means brining a bit of the Netherlands to the streets of Atlanta.

Since biking is a way of life in the Netherlands, Xebia launched its Bikes and Trikes initiative this fall. The company’s goal is to build more than 100 bicycles and tricycles for Atlanta-area school children by the end of 2024. The goal is to “foster community engagement, empower underserved families, and create opportunities for elementary-aged students,” according to a company statement.

“Our Bikes & Trikes initiative reflects Xebia’s belief in the power of community,” added Makwana. “We understand that as we continue to innovate in technology, we must also innovate in how we contribute to society. Building these bikes for children in need shows that we care deeply about the future of Atlanta. We are proud to work alongside our partners and customers to bring joy and opportunity to these families.”

“Our raw material is people.”

SANDEEP MAKWANA



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Atlanta, GA

Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels

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Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels


A Buckhead apartment building was evacuated for a time late Tuesday night due to a carbon monoxide alarm. 

What we know:

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The incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Pharr Court South. 

According to Atlanta Fire Rescue, firefighters are investigating elevated carbon monoxide levels.

The entire building was evacuated as a precaution. 

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One person was evaluated at the scene for possible carbon monoxide exposure. 

Crews ventilated the building while they looked for the source.

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Firefighters say they were able to finally locate the source and contain it.

Once readings were back to a safe level, residents were allowed back inside the apartments.

What we don’t know:

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It remains unclear how many residents were displaced by the evacuation. 

The Source: The details in this article come from the Atlanta Fire Rescue.

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BuckheadNews



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Atlanta, GA

2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say

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2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say


Two suspects in a shooting that left a 7-year-old Atlanta girl dead and her mother injured are now in custody nearly a week after the violence, police say.

The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 24 at a home on the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW.

Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the victim’s family members and the gunman over the phone. Thirty minutes after the argument, the suspect came back and fired shots into the home, police said.

Officers responding to the scene found a 44-year-old woman and her daughter, identified as 7-year-old Zoe Price, shot. Medics rushed the pair to a local hospital, but Price died from her injuries.

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Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department’s homicide unit secured an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Preston Smith two days after the shooting. Smith turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail on March 2.

Schierbaum said officers executed a search warrant on Feb. 27 at a home on McDaniel Street. On that day, 17-year-old Steven Richardson, who police described as an “accomplice,” turned himself in to authorities.

Both men are charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and four counts of third-degree cruelty to children. Richardson is also charged with possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18.

At a press conference to announce the arrests, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described Price as a bright and compassionate little girl who was “full of energy and full of joy.”

“Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, and that loss is not abstract. It is a chair that is going to be missing at the dinner table each night. It is an empty classroom seat next to her friends,” Dickens said.

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The mayor called the arrests “a step forward towards justice” for Price’s family and families across the city.

Dickens said that violence, like the act that took Price’s life, would not be tolerated in Atlanta.



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Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More

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Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More


On Monday, the Braves were able to earn another Spring Training victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was a game where the starting pitching depth of the Braves was on full display, as Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, and Owen Murphy all threw multiple innings. While it is likely unwise to expect big things from any of these three arms this season, they are a part of the “next man up” group for the Braves if injury again impacts the rotation. Each had a solid effort today, a trend that will hopefully continue.



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