Atlanta, GA

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

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

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.

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.”

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

Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley

ATLANTA — The Braves’ decision to decline Tyler Kinley’s $5.5 million option in November proved to be a sound financial decision.
Kinley reunited with the Braves on Saturday when he agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal. The right-handed reliever will draw a $3 million salary in 2026; his $5.5

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Atlanta, GA

Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta

Published

17 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Golden State will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Warriors face Atlanta.

The Warriors are 13-5 on their home court. Golden State is 9-12 against opponents over .500.

The Hawks have gone 12-10 away from home. Atlanta ranks second in the league scoring 17.6 fast break points per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the Hawks averaging 3.9.

The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Warriors allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jimmy Butler III is averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Stephen Curry is averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 assists over the past 10 games.

Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hawks. Jalen Johnson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 7-3, averaging 120.1 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.4 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.

Hawks: 4-6, averaging 116.9 points, 42.4 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.1 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Seth Curry: out (thigh).

Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), CJ McCollum: out (quad), N’Faly Dante: out for season (knee), Corey Kispert: out (hamstring).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Atlanta, GA

Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat

Friday evening forecast: Rain train en route

A powerful weather system is currently moving through North Georgia, replacing unseasonable record warmth with heavy rain and potential severe storms. The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking a “rain train” of moisture that could dump over 4 inches of rain in some areas, prompting active flood warnings across the region.

ATLANTA – A powerful weather front is moving into metro Atlanta, prompting officials to expand flood watches as “wave-after-wave” of heavy rain threatens to saturate the region through Saturday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team warn that storm totals could reach four inches in some areas, with isolated spots in North Georgia potentially seeing up to six inches.

Flood Watch in northwest Georgia

What we know:

A Flood Watch is currently in effect through Saturday evening for a large portion of North Georgia. The region is bracing for widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Some areas could see locally higher amounts reaching up to 6 inches before a cold front moves through Saturday afternoon to end the threat.

“The rain train is wide open and here it comes,” said FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley. “We got waves of rain tonight and storms. They’re going to be with us tonight and right on through Saturday.”

In the northwest, the watch includes Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield counties.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST BY DOWNLOADING THE FREE FOX 5 STORM TEAM APP AND FOLLOWING @FOX5STORMTEAM ON X

Flooding risk, high winds

Local perspective:

Thunderstorms expected overnight and into early Saturday morning are a primary concern.

The primary concern for North Georgia remains damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. While the threat of severe weather is lower Friday night, the FOX 5 Storm Team expects conditions to change as the front arrives Saturday morning.

“Flooding [is] possible in Northwest Georgia with that severe threat,” Chandley said. “I expect we may see some of those [flash flood warnings] across North Georgia late tonight and early tomorrow because that ground is going to be saturated.”

A Level 1 “marginal risk” for severe storms has been issued for most of the area, though regions near Columbus face a slightly higher “slight risk.” Forecasters noted that while the atmosphere currently lacks the instability for massive thunderstorms, a “brief, spin-up tornado” cannot be ruled out on Saturday.

What’s next:

Sunday: Windy and much colder, with highs struggling to reach the 40s and 50s.

Monday: Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s by Monday morning.

The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team.

Severe WeatherNewsAtlantaGeorgia

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