Scheller Goes Inside Southwire Spark

Located in Tech Square's Centergy Building, The Southwire Spark s innovation hub provides Georgia Tech students with hands-on exposure to emerging electrical technologies, venture capital analysis, and sustainability-focused business challenges.

Through the Denning Technology and Management Program, students work directly on real-world projects analyzing disruptive technologies, while Spark team members engage with Scheller classrooms to share insights on corporate innovation and the future of electrical infrastructure.

The partnership between Scheller and Southwire ensures that talented undergraduate and MBA students are considered for roles across venture analysis, strategy, innovation, and project management within this $10 billion Georgia-based electrical company. Through collaborative capstone projects and corporate affiliations, many Scheller students have gained exposure to the critical role electrical infrastructure plays in decarbonization, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

When

Southwire Spark innovation lab was established in 2018 to keep the company at the forefront of innovation amid potentially disruptive electrical technologies.

What

Southwire is a $10 billion family-owned electrical company developing wire, cable, and electrical solutions essential for electrification, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Where

Southwire Spark is located in Tech Square's Centergy Building at 75 5th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.

How

Spark drives innovation through emerging technology research, venture capital investments, and collaborative projects that position Southwire for the future of electrical infrastructure.

The Scheller x Southwire Connection

Tech Square Location

Spark operates in the Centergy Building, enabling seamless Georgia Tech student engagement

Corporate Venture Focus

Southwire Technology Ventures (SWTV) invests in Series A and B startups in electrical innovation

Denning T&M Partnership

Southwire sponsors senior capstone projects through the Denning T&M Program

Step Inside Southwire Spark

In Tech Square's Centergy Building, Southwire Spark occupies an innovation space designed for collaboration and emerging technology exploration. The lab is a workspace where traditional electrical engineering meets venture capital analysis and startup innovation. The proximity to Georgia Tech enables seamless engagement between students and Spark team members, fostering an ecosystem where academic research intersects with real-world electrical infrastructure challenges.

Spark serves as Southwire's window into disruptive technologies across digitally controlled power systems, electric mobility, intelligent buildings, and grid modernization. The lab functions both as an innovation center and a talent pipeline, allowing Georgia Tech students to experience firsthand how a traditional electrical company transforms itself for the renewable energy future.

The Tech Square location provides strategic advantages beyond proximity to Georgia Tech talent. Spark benefits from neighbors including ATDC, Tech Square Ventures, Engage Ventures, and Cisco, creating an innovation ecosystem where electrical infrastructure intersects with broader technology trends. This collaborative environment enables Spark to identify emerging technologies and startup opportunities while maintaining connection to Southwire's core electrical manufacturing expertise.

The People of Scheller x Southwire Spark

Eliot Gardy
BSBA ‘22, Denning T&M Student
Venture Analyst, Southwire Technology Ventures
“At Southwire, there's a saying: ‘It’s a great time to be in the electrical industry and an even better time to be at Southwire.’ That stuck with me when I first learned about the company during my senior year at Scheller. I’ve always cared deeply about sustainability, and electrification is key to decarbonization. My focus on strategy and innovation aligned perfectly with this role. My capstone project with Spark opened the door to meaningful relationships and a deeper understanding of the company.”

Marina Von Behren
BSBA ‘24, Denning T&M Student
Financial Analyst, Goldman Sachs
"Southwire Technology Ventures tasked our cross-disciplinary Denning T&M team with analyzing a technology using direct current that could potentially disrupt Southwire's existing electrical products. Through site visits in Atlanta and Fort Worth plus expert interviews, we built an in-depth business case on PoE benefits and challenges. Having Spark in Tech Square was impactful beyond expectations. The proximity enabled continuous communication and feedback throughout our project, which became pivotal to its success."