Atlanta business owners back new startup spaces, hoping to encourage young companies

Atlanta came late to a national push toward more flexible and community-focused offices for startup companies.

Now, several residents who have run their own businesses say they're trying to help the city catch up in a hurry.

The latest is an incubator and office building in downtown Atlanta, focused on startup companies that deal directly with individual customers. Michael Tavani is the co-founder of the coupon mobile app ScoutMob and says he wanted to give back and encourage consumer technology.

The announcement comes as another Atlanta entrepreneur is putting the finishing touches on a $24 million rehabilitation of a Buckhead office building. David Cummings founded the Atlanta Tech Village and says it is designed to encourage success for young companies.