Welcome to Access Point, your monthly roundup of the latest news and opportunities from the Access Georgia Foundation and our partners across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Read on to learn what’s happening this month!
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Access News: Applications for the 2025 Founders Cohort Close April 30th. Apply Today!
Calling all early-stage entrepreneurs! If you’re looking for angel investment, expert mentorship, and connections to a wide network to accelerate your growth, the Founders Cohort is for you.
Now in its fifth year, this eight-week program offers early-stage entrepreneurs with 1:1 mentorship sessions, small-group workshops, and many networking opportunities.
Additionally, participants receive coaching from Access’ Corporate Advisory Board and marketing support. The program culminates in a dynamic Investor Showcase in August, where companies pitch to potential investors.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Applications close April 30th Learn more & apply today. Founders Cohort
Cohort Corner: Become a Founders Cohort Mentor
The Access Georgia Foundation is seeking experienced business leaders to mentor early-stage founders in the 2025 Founders Cohort.
If you are a business professional ready to give back, become an Access mentor! See below for more details and how to engage with the foundation’s flagship program.
- Proven Business Experience: 7-10 years of decision-making and/or business-launching experience.
- Time to Commit: 1-2 hours per week over a 2-3 month period, plus two in-person Saturday sessions for pitch prep and investor showcases.
- Collaborative Skills: Ability to work creatively with founders and fellow mentors to provide constructive feedback.
- Empathy and Guidance: Understanding that the journey is just as important as the outcome, you’ll offer thoughtful support throughout the process.
Ready to make an impact? Email [email protected] to learn more.
Access Sponsor SPOTLIGHT: City of Dunwoody
Access Board Member Michael Starling is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Dunwoody, GA, where he leads the city’s efforts to expand the local economy through business development and placemaking efforts.
Starling shared with Access Point how the City of Dunwoody’s partnership with the Access Georgia Foundation has been instrumental in building a strong community support network for entrepreneurs.
What motivated the City of Dunwoody to partner with the Access Georgia Foundation during its inaugural year and what are some of the ways you are supporting this partnership?
The City realized that we needed to focus on supporting and attracting small businesses and entrepreneurs as we were dealing with COVID-19. We knew that being overly reliant on large companies occupying our office space could create potential risk in the future.
Access Georgia Foundation provides a vehicle for education and networking to our entrepreneur community. Access brings an understanding of how entrepreneurs think and what they need to thrive.
How does the City’s partnership with Access Georgia Foundation support entrepreneurs, angel investors, and small business leaders in Atlanta?
Dunwoody believes that offering an ecosystem that is inducive to entrepreneurial opportunity is a prerequisite for attracting high-growth, high-impact companies and small businesses. Access is an extension of the City and takes the lead in creating this ecosystem through programming, mentoring, and education.
What are some of the industries or sectors thriving in Dunwoody, particularly in the small business community and entrepreneur ecosystems?
Historically, Dunwoody has been a general business location, especially for regional and local headquarters. Recently, we have seen growth in specific industries including Insurance, Supply Chain and Logistics, and FinTech. We think a special focus on these industries could provide growth opportunities in the future, especially as it relates to start-ups.
What makes Dunwoody a business-friendly environment for small business and early-stage founders looking to grow their businesses?
Dunwoody’s central location and high level of regional accessibility is one of its most important advantages. Located at the crossroads of Metro Atlanta with direct access to MARTA and Interstate 285 and Georgia 400, Dunwoody provides startups with easy access to intown markets and the suburban workforce.
How has the City of Dunwoody grown or evolved in the last five years as a place for start-ups looking to grow or kickstart their businesses and/or for angel investors looking for opportunities to support the local entrepreneur ecosystem?
Dunwoody straddles the line between dense urban “ITP” and low density “OTP” markets. We have a unique opportunity to create a community that retains characteristics of a relatively affordable, convenient inner-suburb with those of a highly walkable, amenity-rich, urban place. A number of mixed-use developments around privately owned public spaces have been created over the past few years. This mixing of commerce and green spaces has become a unique fixture of our new development pattern.
Can you share a fun fact about Dunwoody?
The Starbucks on Ashford Dunwoody Road is built around a historic chimney that was once part of a circa 1900 tenant house for Euil (nicknamed Red) Spruill and his wife Georgia Womack Spruill who lived along what is now Ashford Dunwoody Road. The home burned, but the chimney remained. It was relocated within the property when Ravinia was built, and then made part of the Starbucks design when it was built years later.
Spring Forward! Enroll in Free Digital Courses to Level Up Your Business!
Learn practical skills to take your small business to the next level. Access partner Verizon Small Business Digital Ready offers dozens of FREE, expert-led courses to help grow your business.
Developed by small businesses, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready creates a personalized experience tailored to a small business’ specific needs with personalized courses that can be completed in about 20-35 minutes.
Courses cover topics like:
- Writing business proposals
- Recruiting and onboarding talent
- Strategies for growth marketing
- Protecting against cyber attacks
- Getting started with AI
In addition to the short courses, participants who complete two unique courses will be eligible to apply for grant opportunities exclusive to users of Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
SPRING BONUS! Enroll today and complete two courses by May 31 for a chance to win a $250 Apple gift card.
