Curiosity Lab, the living laboratory for testing, validating and deploying innovative technologies in metro Atlanta, has named Emily Heintz as executive director as it expands its role as a gateway for international companies entering the U.S. market. 

Ms. Heintz stepped into the role in December 2025, coinciding with the expansion of Curiosity Lab from 25,000 to 50,000 square feet to meet growing demand from global startups and corporate innovators seeking a clearer path from pilot programs to commercial scale.

A living laboratory for place-based deployment

Curiosity Lab operates as a “living laboratory” — an ecosystem where connected mobility, infrastructure, logistics and other emerging technologies are built, tested and brought to life in an active city. The venue is a collaboration hub that accelerates pilots, strengthens partnerships and helps emerging technologies move from concept to city-scale impact.

“There are very few places that you can go where you can see high-tech talent integrate with cutting-edge innovations, connect with corporations, innovation teams and foreign delegations coming in — and the capital needed for them all to scale,” Ms. Heintz tells Global Atlanta.

The intersection of these elements has helped companies move quickly from testing to deployment and from pilot projects to commercial relationships within Metro Atlanta, she adds.

A soft landing for international innovators

Curiosity Lab has also built a strong reputation among international companies and innovation organizations as a low-friction entry point into the U.S. market. Through close collaboration with the City of Peachtree Corners, companies can work with municipal partners and deploy technology in a real-world setting, without the barriers often faced in larger or less flexible cities.

In recent years, Curiosity Lab has hosted delegations and demo programs involving companies and innovation groups from Japan, Europe and the Middle East, offering international startups a practical way to soft launch, test technology, meet potential customers and build early relationships in the United States.

The campus’s infrastructure plays a critical role. Curiosity Lab is fully connected via a 5G network provided by T-Mobile, enabling high-speed, low-latency testing across the innovation district and supporting technologies that rely on real-time data and connectivity.

From smart mobility to accessible cities

While Curiosity Lab is widely known for its work in intelligent mobility and smart infrastructure — including autonomous and connected vehicle testing — the range of use cases continues to expand.

Recent deployments have included technologies that improve pedestrian movement at intersections and enhance emergency vehicle response through intelligent traffic signaling. One example is a beacon-based navigation system currently being deployed across the Curiosity Lab ecosystem to help people with visual impairments navigate buildings and shared spaces more independently.

An economic development engine for the region

As companies grow within Curiosity Lab’s ecosystem, they become increasingly embedded in the region, hiring talent, attracting capital and forming long-term partnerships. These activities have positioned Curiosity Lab as a meaningful economic development tool for Metro Atlanta.

By connecting early-stage innovators, growth-stage companies, global enterprises and universities in a single environment, Curiosity Lab helps shorten the distance between invention and commercialization, particularly for international companies seeking to establish a U.S. presence.

A future vision

Ms. Heintz’s vision for Curiosity Lab positions it as an efficient and accessible platform for companies at every stage of growth.

“My vision for Curiosity Lab is to make it one of the easiest and most efficient places to deploy and scale technology and also to build the relationships that companies need in order to scale and grow their companies,” she says.

For international delegations visiting Atlanta, Curiosity Lab has become a compelling stop: a place to see smart-city technology in action, understand how municipalities can support innovation and explore how global companies can establish and grow in the region.

As Curiosity Lab expands its footprint and leadership, it continues to reinforce Atlanta’s position as a globally connected hub for applied innovation, where ideas don’t just get discussed – they get deployed.

Visit curiositylabptc.com to learn more about Curiosity Lab or contact Pendleton Group at info@pendletonatlanta.com for more information.

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