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
Help Us Build the Access Peer Mentoring Program!
Access is designing a new Peer Mentoring Program, and we’re building it with direct input from small business owners and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to create a space where small business owners can bounce ideas, talk through challenges, and learn from each other’s real world experiences.
We know the value of learning from peers facing similar decisions and pressures. A well-designed peer network can fuel innovation and strengthen the entire small business community.
To make this program impactful, we need your insight. We’re asking small business owners and entrepreneurs to share what structure, time commitment, and type of support would be most valuable for you and your business.
Your feedback will shape how this program works and ensure it meets the needs of the people it’s intended to serve.
Please complete the survey by December 19th so we can build a stronger, more connected business community!
Partner SPOTLIGHT: Silicon Valley Bank
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, fuels the innovation economy and aims to expand access to capital, connections, the tech ecosystem, and resources for emerging innovators and investors.
We spoke with SVB leaders Ekram Taufiq, Himani Rajput, and Meagan Williams to discuss how SVB supports Southeast’s business ecosystem and why their partnership with the Access Foundation matters.
Can you tell us about the types of clients SVB works with and the financial services you offer?
Silicon Valley Bank has been the leading bank for the innovation economy for more than 40 years, serving Technology & Life Sciences companies from early-stage all the way to exit. We provide venture debt, working capital lines of credit, treasury and cash management solutions, and many other customized financial services for our fast-growing clients as a division of a broader platform as part of First Citizens Bank.
Why did SVB choose to partner with the Access Georgia Foundation, and how does this sponsorship support the Southeastern economy?
SVB chose to work with the Access Georgia Foundation to help nurture the startup ecosystem in the Southeast, including strengthening local entrepreneurial infrastructure by channeling capital, support, and connections into growing ventures. SVB has an office and a team in Atlanta that’s here to support you!
SVB is known for supporting companies at every growth stage. How do you approach helping early-stage founders navigate funding, cash flow, and overall financial strategy?
At SVB, we want to be the bank that not only supports your financial goals, but we also want to be a strategic partner. We take a hands-on, relationship-first approach to helping founders build a strong financial foundation from day one. We offer tailored tools to manage runway and burn rate, guide founders through their first fundraising round, and support them with venture debt solutions as non-dilutive capital options. For emerging founders, we also curate warm investor introductions, hosting pitch readiness sessions, and ensuring access to resources and relationships with founder-first accelerators. We help demystify financial strategy and funding mechanics, giving founders the confidence and clarity to scale with intention.
What’s one financial challenge you often see startups face, and what advice would you give to help them overcome or avoid it?
One common financial challenge we see is founders underestimating their burn rate and overestimating how quickly they can raise their next round. This often leads to unnecessary pressure, tough trade-offs, or worse, a down round or bridge financing under unfavorable terms. My advice is to plan for the “what if,” not just the “what’s next.” Build multiple runway scenarios, update your cash flow projections monthly, and treat capital efficiency like a core competency. At SVB, we model out different funding timelines, optimize spend, and prepare for investor conversations early. We’re here to help founders stay one step ahead.
Are there any innovative financial tools that you believe today’s small business owners should be using right now?
SVB has always been at the forefront of providing tailor-made financial solutions to startups. SVB has a large debt portfolio extended to investor-backed startups, specifically providing venture debt as a form of non-equity capital with minimal dilution. It’s a debt financing solution ideal for venture-backed companies that have raised a sizeable seed round of $5M+. In addition, we provide SaaS Recurring Revenue Lines designed to support the fast growth trajectory of the clients they serve, award winning digital banking platform, and liquidity solutions to maximize earnings.
In today’s challenging funding environment, it may be worthwhile for startup founders to consider utilizing customized debt solutions (when appropriate) alongside equity to meaningfully extend runway and position themselves to raise the next round from a place of strength.
If you could offer one piece of money management advice for long-term success, what would it be?
Our money management advice would be to treat your financial strategy like your product roadmap. It should be intentional, data-driven, and evolving. The most successful founders build discipline around money early. That means understanding your cash position in real-time, setting clear financial milestones tied to your business goals, and staying flexible enough to pivot when the market shifts. For emerging founders especially, where access to capital can be limited or delayed, smart money management isn’t just best practice, it’s a competitive advantage. At SVB, we help founders create financial habits that support long-term growth, not just short-term survival.
Short Courses, Long-Term Impact
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready platform is a completely FREE resource designed to help small business owners strengthen their digital skills and stay competitive. With 50+ self-paced courses (each under 45 minutes) and access to 1:1 coaching and networking opportunities, it’s one of the easiest ways to level up your business skills on your own time.
One of the most critical skillsets for any founder is asset protection. Your ideas, data, and digital tools are the backbone of your business. Without the right safeguards in place, you’re at risk of intellectual theft, cyberattacks, and lost revenue. Here’s two courses to help you build a stronger foundation:
Learn how to identify what’s worth protecting and build a strategy that keeps your original work safe from competitors.
Find what your digital weak spots are and take simple, effective steps to protect your systems and your customers.
Calendar of Events
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 coming up!
November 21: Fundraising Lessons from a Repeat Founder
December 5: Standups & Startups
December 8: TiE Atlanta Ecosystem Map Re-Engagement Strategy Meeting
December 10: Atlanta Small Business Expo
The Takeaway
As we head into Thanksgiving, many of us are looking forward to some time to pause and reset. For busy founders and business owners, gratitude may not feel urgent, but it can have a real impact on how we work and lead.
In this issue, we share insights from Partake Foods founder Denise Woodard on how practicing gratitude has shaped her leadership and her company. Her perspective is a reminder that appreciation can strengthen teams, guide better decisions, and support long-term success.
We hope her reflections offer perspective as you head into the holiday season and set your sights on the year ahead. Read her article, “Five Simple Ways to Infuse Gratitude Into Your Life and Business.”
