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
Join the next INSIGHT Webinar: Driving Demand with AI
Founders and small business owners, if generating demand feels like an uphill battle, this webinar is for you!
Traditional marketing firms can be costly, and too often, the ROI just isn’t there. That’s why two Access partners, the Greater Perimeter Chamber and accessTiE Atlanta, are hosting a webinar on how AI can help you drive demand efficiently and affordably.
Speaker Naren Patil, Founder and CEO of StartupWind, will cover how to:
- Build blogging and SEO strategies
- Improve website ranking and lead generation
- Optimize email and social media campaigns
- Cut marketing costs without sacrificing impact
…all with AI!
If growth is a priority, this webinar is time well spent. Join us at 11:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, June 3, 2025!
Take Charge of Your Business’s Success and Enroll in Digital Ready!
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program offers more than 50 FREE, self-paced courses—each under 45 minutes—along with 1:1 coaching, networking, and funding opportunities.
Their short courses are designed to suit busy business leaders’ schedules and cover practical topics like marketing, finance, and operations.
One area the program tackles is Asset Protection, a vital yet often overlooked part of running a business. Your ideas, data, and digital tools form the foundation of your company, and without proper safeguards, you risk theft and revenue losses. These quick, expert-designed courses will teach you how to protect your business from the inside out.
Two courses to start with:
Many small businesses don’t consider IP protection until it’s too late. This course helps you identify valuable assets and develop a plan to safeguard your original work from competitors.
Cyberattacks threaten businesses of all sizes, but small businesses are especially vulnerable. Learn to identify your digital weak points and implement straightforward steps to secure your systems and protect your customers.
Ready to protect your business? Register for Digital Ready today!
Win a $10,000 Verizon Grant!
As part of Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program, eligible small business owners can apply for a $10,000 grant, simply by completing two free courses.
This is a rare opportunity to boost your business with funding and gain valuable skills—without spending a dime. All courses are free, self-paced, and take less than an hour each to complete.
Verizon is committed to helping small businesses succeed in today’s digital economy, and since 2021, has awarded $13.5 million in grants to support small businesses.
Learn more and apply before the deadline on June 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT.
Access SPOTLIGHT: Greater Perimeter Chamber
The Greater Perimeter Chamber is a driver of economic growth across Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, connecting businesses with the resources and relationships they need to succeed.
In a conversation with Access Point, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President Paula Shiver shared insights into the region’s dynamic business landscape and how the Chamber works to support business owners and the broader economy.
How will this partnership help strengthen the broader economy and create more opportunities for the region’s business community?
This partnership aligns two organizations that believe in the power of entrepreneurship to drive regional growth. By combining our networks and resources, we’re not only reaching more business owners—we’re deepening the support they receive. Together, we’re building a more inclusive, resilient ecosystem that helps businesses launch, grow, and sustain success right here in the Perimeter.
What types of businesses or industries are gaining traction in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, and why are these cities especially well positioned to support that growth?
We’re seeing notable growth in professional services, healthcare innovation, media production, and tech-enabled firms. Both cities benefit from strong infrastructure, transit access, high educational attainment, and vibrant mixed-use districts that attract both talent and investment. The quality of life and regional connectivity continue to position this corridor as a hub for business acceleration.
What are some of the most pressing challenges small business owners are bringing to the Chamber, and how are you helping them navigate these issues?
Access to capital, workforce retention, and visibility remain top concerns. We’re responding with targeted programming, networking forums, and visibility tools that put members in front of new opportunities. Through partnerships like this one with Access, we’re also connecting entrepreneurs to educational and financial resources that meet them where they are.
How is the Chamber rethinking its programs or services to better support its members and improve their operations?
We’re leaning into data, feedback, and flexibility. From restructured membership tiers to curated roundtables and peer councils, we’re evolving the way we serve. We’re also exploring scalable technology platforms and mentorship pipelines that help members gain clarity, capacity, and connections.
What’s something about the Greater Perimeter business community that might surprise people?
While the Perimeter is known for Fortune 500 headquarters and high-rises, it’s also home to a thriving community of entrepreneurs and mission-driven founders. What may surprise people is how collaborative the environment is—larger corporations, startups, and nonprofits all have a seat at the table, working together to shape the region’s economic future.
The Takeaway
One article, resource, podcast, or news that can support small business owners and entrepreneurs to look at their business better.
This week: “A Lesson on Balancing Scaling with Stability” from the Harvard Business Review.
Business growth comes with all kinds of challenges, like navigating more demand while maintaining control over logistics and avoiding burnout. This 30-minute Harvard Business Review podcast breaks down how Chewy.com scaled its operations to stay in step with the rapid growth in demand.
It’s a must-listen for founders navigating strategy, operations management, and scaling challenges.
Event Calendar
Atlanta’s 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 below happening around Atlanta.
- May 31: Eddie Awards deadline
- June 6: We Impact Women Entrepreneurship Conference
- June 7-13: Atlanta Tech Week
- June 11: TiE Monthly Meeting: AI Tech Stack Acceleration
- June 25: Align AI Executive Summit
- June 30: ATL Startup Village #100 at Atlanta Tech Village
Have an event you want to share? Email us at [email protected]
