Best Small Business Resources in the Atlanta Area

Description

The Entrepreneurship Center at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta is a program focused on enhancing the knowledge and skill sets of Black and minority entrepreneurs in the Greater Atlanta area. TEC offers two programs: a series of training classes designed to help entrepreneurs in the beginning stages of entrepreneurship and a 10-week accelerator program, which takes members through the process of starting a mock business from startup to full-fledged company.

Restrictions

Applicants must be residents of Metro Atlanta and be interested in starting a new business or currently have a business that has been in operation for 2 years or less.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.

Description

Invest Atlanta is an organization that helps empower citizens of Atlanta through economic development. Invest Atlanta has programs that provide small business loans and financing. Invest Atlanta also has innovation centers for Fortune 500 companies and co-working spaces for smaller entrepreneurs.

Description

Roam was established in 2008 as a coworking space for businesses in the Atlanta-metro area. Roam focuses on making its offices unique and conducive to creativity, while also aiming to create the best environment for networking and sharing. With locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Galleria, and Perimeter Center, Roam makes finding an office space in Atlanta an easier process.

Restrictions

Roam only works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the Atlanta-metro area.

Description

The Edge is a collaborative project between United Way of Cobb, Cobb Family Resources, Cobb County YWCA, and Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business designed to help empower women, minorities, veterans, and low to moderate-income individuals in starting a business. The Edge helps entrepreneurs who are in the earliest stages of forming by first assessing a businesses fit, then onboarding the businesses.

Restrictions

There is a one-time application fee for consulting services.

Description

Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available

Restrictions

The Women's Business Centers are, as the name implies, meant for women primarily.

Description

WEI is an organization focused on helping women entrepreneurs in Atlanta develop and sustain businesses. Led by local women entrepreneurs, WEI offers a tech-equipped co-working space, an advisory board of local entrepreneurs and mentors, tech resources through a Microsoft partnership, and incubation for selected participants.

Restrictions

Open to women only.