Atlanta’s entrepreneurial spirit is thriving, thanks in part to a variety of local programs designed to support small business owners and startups. These initiatives provide essential resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help businesses succeed.
Start:ME Atlanta
Start:ME Atlanta offers a free four-month program for entrepreneurs in the Atlanta area. Since its inception, the program has served over 500 microbusinesses, with 84% led by people of color and 74% by women. Participants gain business knowledge, robust networks, and access to grant capital. The program operates in communities such as Clarkston, Westside, East Lake, and Southside. Learn more about Start:ME Atlanta.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)
WEI is the nation’s only municipality-funded accelerator for early-stage women entrepreneurs. This nine-month program, powered by the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, provides strategic analysis, leadership development, partnerships, and funding opportunities. WEI focuses on high-growth enterprises and social impact scalable enterprises, aiming to elevate women and empower businesses. Discover more about WEI.
TiE Atlanta Foundation
The TiE Atlanta Foundation encourages entrepreneurship education in Georgia by building sustainable programs for high school and university students. Their TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) program empowers high school students with the means of entrepreneurship, fostering the next generation of business leaders. Find out more about TiE Atlanta Foundation.
Georgia State University’s Main Street Foundry
Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute offers the Main Street Foundry, a four-month accelerator designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs. The program provides tailored programming, resources, and mentorship aligned with specific stages of business development, ensuring comprehensive support for founders. Learn more about Main Street Foundry.
Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s Entrepreneurship Center
The Entrepreneurship Center (TEC) assists entrepreneurs in starting and growing successful and sustainable businesses in the Metro Atlanta community. TEC offers training classes, resources, and one-on-one coaching sessions, helping entrepreneurs take their business concepts from pre-venture stages to business start-up, acquire funding, obtain contracts, and hire additional employees. Explore the Entrepreneurship Center.
Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)
ATDC, based at Georgia Tech, offers programs to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable startups. Their programs include ATDC Educate, Accelerate, and Signature, each designed to support different stages of business development, from building skills and making connections to scaling with confidence. Discover ATDC’s programs.
Center for Black Entrepreneurship’s LIFT Program
The Launch Incubator For Traction (LIFT) program supports early-stage Black-led startups through curriculum-based learning, mentorship, pitch coaching, fractional executive support, and investor connections. This 16-week program is designed to improve startup performance and increase readiness to secure investment. Learn more about the LIFT program.
These programs exemplify Atlanta’s commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing invaluable support to local businesses and contributing to the city’s economic growth.