Welcome to Access Point, your roundup of the latest news and opportunities from the Access Georgia Foundation and our partners across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In this issue:
That’s a Wrap! 2026 Investor Showcase and Access Programming
Access to the right support can change everything for a business founder. That’s why the Access Foundation was founded: to bridge the gap in support for early-stage entrepreneurs and set them up for long-term success.
This year, we had 22 founders participate in Access founder programming, where they received 10 weeks of tailored, hands-on support.
On August 15, 2026, seven of these companies took the stage at the 2026 Investor Showcase. This annual event is an opportunity for startup founders to pitch to a live audience of judges, investors, and entrepreneurs. They fielded questions about their companies’ growth trajectory and long-term viability, and they helped investors see their potential for strong ROIs.
Meet the Companies
Meet the founders who put in the work!
Access Founders Cohort: Four companies completed Access’s flagship program, designed for early-stage, Seed, and Seed+ businesses already earning revenue and actively seeking capital. All four companies pitched at the Investor Showcase. Learn more about the Founders Cohort
Access Founders Accelerator companies: 18 emerging startups participated in the Access Founders Accelerator, where they received mentoring and coaching to prepare them for the next stage of their growth. The top three companies were selected to present at the Showcase. These were Vibe Academies, Neuronet Designs, and Switchyard. Learn more
LIFT National: Access partners with the Center for Black Entrepreneurship on the LIFT National Program. This virtual accelerator supports founders of STEM-based companies across the US. LIFT’s top company, Iconically, earned a place among the eight Showcase participants. Learn more
Thank you to our partners and sponsors for supporting this year’s Investor Showcase and helping these founders share their businesses with potential investors!
Coaching, Capital, and Connections at Work
The Access Foundation offers programs for founders, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs at various stages of business development. They’re designed to meet each founder’s unique needs, supporting them with the Access 3 C’s: Coaching, Capital, and Connections.
This year, Access welcomed 22 founders into its Founders Cohort and Founders Accelerator. Over 10 weeks, participants received one-on-one mentorship and group coaching from seasoned business leaders, while building relationships across Access’s network.
Seven sessions led by SMEs addressed the questions founders face as they prepare to raise capital. These sessions included:
- Executive Summary and Term Sheet
- What Do Investors Look For?
- The Art and Science of Investor-Ready Pitch Decks
- Financials for Startups
- Smart Legal Moves for Founders
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Building a Capital Ready Business
All 22 founders had the opportunity to put their preparation into practice at the Access Mock Round. At the event, they each pitched and received feedback from judges to prepare for future investor conversations.
Thank you to our Mock Round sponsors!
Cheers to another successful year of Access programming!
Bridging Founder Support Nationwide Through LIFT
The Access Georgia Foundation is bringing mentorship and support to more founders nationwide! Through its partnership with the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) on LIFT National, Access is helping more founders across the country connect with the people and resources they need to grow.
Building on the success of LIFT Atlanta, this virtual 16-week accelerator supports entrepreneurs developing innovative, STEM-based businesses. Access paired each of the program’s 12 founders with a dedicated mentor and hosted virtual pitch rounds and sessions with subject matter experts. These opportunities gave founders a chance to strengthen their pitches and make meaningful connections.
Together, CBE and Access are creating more pathways for early-stage innovators to build resilient businesses.
A Network that Shows Up
This year, 30 mentors and 19 judges contributed their time to Access’s founder programming. Mentors alone contributed a combined 14,000 minutes of 1:1 coaching!
To our mentors and judges: Thank you for giving back to the next generation of founders and entrepreneurs! YOU are what makes Access what it is.
And to our steadfast sponsors, we appreciate you and look forward to all the work to come!
The Showcase has wrapped, but the work continues. Whether you’re preparing to raise capital or ready to share your experience with the founder, there’s a place for you in the Access community.
For questions about our programs and other ways to get involved, send us a message.