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!
Table of Contents
Celebrate, Connect, Collab: Grab Your Ticket to the Access Happy Hour!
We’re gathering entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across Atlanta’s small business and startup ecosystem for a casual networking event. Whether you’re growing a business, exploring new opportunities, or just want to get more involved in the Access community, this is a great opportunity to build your network and share ideas.
We’ll also be celebrating the 2025 Founders Cohort and the newly launched Founders Accelerator: two distinct programs tailored to support small business owners at different growth stages. Come meet the founders and help fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs!
You Can Expect:
- Light bites and drinks
- Networking with local entrepreneurs and community builders
- A chance to connect directly with founders in this year’s cohorts
Where: Bar{n} Booze{n} bites
When: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on August 12th
Cohort Corner: This Year’s Founders and Startups
The mission of the Access Foundation is to empower early-stage entrepreneurs and fuel innovation across the Southeast and beyond. Since launching, the Access Foundation has invested over $2 million in 14 companies, connected over 60 mentors with founders, and facilitated more than 1,200 hours of 1:1 mentorship. Deeply rooted in the Greater Atlanta entrepreneurial ecosystem, Access creates meaningful opportunities for founders to expand their networks and support a stronger, multi-tiered economy.
This year, Access is supporting two groups of entrepreneurs: one through its flagship Founders Cohort, and another through the newly-launched Founders Accelerator.
The Founders Cohort consists of 6 growth-stage startups ready to raise capital and scale their operations. Each founder is paired with an experienced mentor to refine their business model and investor materials and to prepare their pitch for the upcoming Investor Showcase on August 16, 2025.
The Founders Accelerator consists of 18 startups in earlier development stages. This ten-week track provides tailored coaching, showcasing, and networking opportunities to help business owners increase their revenue streams.
Learn more about the 2025 Founders!
Make Your Website Work for You
Free Courses through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
Your website is often the first impression customers have of your business–so make it count! Whether you’re launching your first webpage or redesigning your digital storefront, these free, expert-led courses from Verizon Digital Ready give you tools to build credibility and attract business.
This beginner-friendly course covers the essentials of launching or upgrading your business website. Learn how key elements like layout, navigation, and content can strengthen your digital presence and help potential customers find exactly what they need.
Good design isn’t just about looks. It’s about making your site easy and intuitive to use. This course walks you through the basics of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, helping you build a site that provides an easily navigable, engaging experience for visitors.
Courses are short (under an hour), practical, and 100% free. Ready to learn? Just sign up, enroll, and start building your best website yet!
Event Calendar
The entrepreneurial ecosystem is bustling with events and workshops to help founders and business owners scale their business and network. Check out some of the events happening soon!
July 22: Startup Summer School: AI Strategy as a Culture Strategy
August 7-8: Global Leadership Conference
September 2-5: Annual America’s Small Business Development Conference
September 18: TiE Connect 2
The Takeaway
This week: “Is SEO Worth It for Small Businesses? Here’s What You Need to Know” from Entrepreneur
With tight budgets and a need for fast results, small business owners may wonder if SEO is worth the effort.
SEO, short for search engine optimization, helps your website rank higher in search results so customers can find your business online, without the need for paid ads.
Nick Zviadadze explains how SEO can build brand credibility, drive sustainable growth, and bring in leads over time.
If you’re thinking long-term and looking for affordable ways to boost your online presence, this one’s worth the read.
