When people think of startup accelerators, they often picture high-tech ventures, venture capital, and Silicon Valley buzzwords. But Start:ME, an accelerator program powered by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, takes a refreshing and impactful approach. Instead of focusing only on scalable tech companies, Start:ME empowers microbusinesses, the cornerstones of thriving neighborhoods.

Start:ME is a free, intensive 14-week accelerator designed to support entrepreneurs in specific Atlanta-area communities. These neighborhoods, such as Clarkston, East Lake, Historic South Atlanta, and others, are home to a wealth of entrepreneurial talent that too often lacks the networks, resources, and capital needed to grow. Start:ME bridges that gap.

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Unlike traditional accelerators that require equity or fees, Start:ME is 100% free to participants. Entrepreneurs who are accepted into the program gain access to:

• Practical education on planning, operations, finance, marketing, and leadership.

• Each entrepreneur is matched with experienced business mentors who walk alongside them through challenges and decisions.

• Entrepreneurs form cohorts with fellow business owners in their neighborhood, creating peer support systems that last beyond the program.

• Start:ME provides small grant funding opportunities to help businesses purchase equipment, expand operations, or test new ideas.

This model ensures that microbusinesses, whether a catering company, childcare service, boutique, or local repair shop, have the same strategic guidance that high-growth startups receive.

Ready to apply? CLICK HERE

Since its founding, Start:ME has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs across metro Atlanta. The results have been powerful:

• Job Creation: Microbusinesses supported by Start:ME fuel local employment and keep dollars circulating in the community.

• Revenue Growth: Businesses often see measurable revenue increases during and after the program.

• Community Transformation: By strengthening small businesses, Start:ME contributes to healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods.

The program has been especially effective in immigrant and historically underserved communities, where entrepreneurship is both an economic necessity and a pathway to stability.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Start:ME is its spotlight on everyday entrepreneurs who are building legacies:

• A home-based baker who scaled her kitchen business into a neighborhood café.

• A refugee entrepreneur who launched a cleaning service and now employs others in her community.

• A local barber who expanded his shop into a mentorship hub for young men.

These aren’t just business wins, they’re community wins, showcasing the ripple effect of investing in grassroots entrepreneurship.

Ready to apply? CLICK HERE

Start:ME is powered by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, giving entrepreneurs direct access to faculty expertise, student involvement, and evidence-based practices. By blending academic rigor with real-world application, Start:ME ensures that participants are equipped not only to survive, but to thrive.

In today’s economy, microbusinesses are often overlooked. Yet they make up a critical part of local ecosystems:

• They create neighborhood identity and culture.

• They offer products and services tailored to community needs.

• They provide income and opportunity where it’s needed most.

Start:ME proves that with the right resources, even the smallest businesses can make a big impact.

The Start:ME Accelerator is more than a business program, it’s a movement of empowerment. By championing local entrepreneurs and building community wealth, Start:ME demonstrates that entrepreneurship isn’t just about scaling, it’s about sustaining, uplifting, and transforming lives.

For microbusiness owners in Atlanta neighborhoods, Start:ME is not just an accelerator. It’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a community that believes in their dreams.

Ready to apply? CLICK HERE

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