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
Access Partners with Georgia State University Perimeter College to Support Student Entrepreneurs
This fall, Access is partnering with the Georgia State University (GSU) Perimeter College Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for its second annual Perimeter College Innovation Challenge (PCIC). The program gives students the skills, education, and resources they need to succeed as business founders.
Programs like PCIC close the gap for students and young entrepreneurs who often lack the resources to succeed in our competitive business landscape. And a stronger start for students means a stronger, more resilient business ecosystem.
PCIC is designed for students at GSU Perimeter College who are interested in starting their own business – whether they are already generating revenue or just beginning to explore ideas.
Much like Access’s Founders Cohort, PCIC provides mentorship, networking, and a chance to compete for seed funding through a final pitch competition.
The challenge kicked off last week at the Clarkston campus, where attendees heard from keynote speaker Dr. Alyssa Combs, a GSU Perimeter College alumnus and award-winning entrepreneur recognized for her work in technology and innovation. The event also included conversations with college business innovators, Access leadership, and other campus and community partners.
Access is supporting the two following events:
- Networking Lunch: Friday, September 19th, by providing lunch for students and partners
- Founders Panel: Thursday, September 25th, by curating the list of speakers
Mentors interested in getting involved can reach out to [email protected]. Together, our community can make sure students have access to the guidance and connections they need to find success after graduation.
Access Representing! Atlanta Startup Awards Selects Finalists
Startup Atlanta announced the finalists for the 7th Annual Atlanta Startup Awards, and Access is proud to see our community represented! This celebration of innovation and impact honors the leaders and startups shaping the future of Metro Atlanta.
Paul Lopez is a finalist for Investor of the Year. As an Access Executive Committee member and Co-Founder & Partner at 11-11 Ventures, Paul has long supported early-stage companies with strategy, operations, and capital. His leadership has helped shape our startup ecosystem – from both the investor and community level.
Shanise Thomason, Founder of Tressed and participant in the Access Founders Accelerator, is a finalist in the Best Underrepresented-Founded Startup category. Her company is pioneering biometric hair intelligence using AI and computer vision.
Morgan Drake, Founder of Vigi Video and also part of the Founders Accelerator, is a finalist in the Best New Startup category. His AI-powered solution helps small businesses simplify video marketing.
From Access leadership to program participants, Access’s network is being recognized across the Atlanta startup space. Winners will be announced during InnovATL on October 9.
Celebrating Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University
Attend the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund 2025 Demo Day tomorrow, September 18th!
Hosted by Georgia State’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute, this event is your chance to see innovative businesses in action and meet the entrepreneurs shaping the future. It’s a celebration of bold ideas, determination, and community support.
What to expect:
- Showcases of new products, services, and ideas
- Networking with investors, partners, and community leaders
- A celebration of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship
When: Tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Center Parc Stadium, 755 Hank Aaron Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Come ready to be inspired and connect with the next wave of changemakers!
During Demo Day, Access is hosting a private Investor Roundtable. This is an exclusive opportunity to connect with leading investors and gain actionable insights on how to position your business for funding. This roundtable is designed to give early-stage founders direct access to investors who understand the challenges and opportunities of building a business.
The program will feature panel discussions on navigating the investment landscape, assessing investor fit, and strategies for raising capital. Founders will also participate in a unique “Speed Dating with Investors” session, offering the chance to ask questions, receive feedback, and build valuable connections.
Space is limited! Registration is first-come, first-served. Don’t miss this chance to gain investor insights and make connections that could help you grow your business.
Courses on Your Coffee Break: Get Energized with Verizon Digital Ready
Great ideas are the start, but small business owners need the right tools to grow and scale. That’s where Verizon Small Business Digital Ready comes in, with free, bite-sized courses designed for entrepreneurs with a packed schedule.
These courses are quick enough to finish on a coffee break, yet still packed with information and resources.
Disruptions are inevitable, but preparation makes all the difference. This course explores how to develop a futurist mindset of recovery and resiliency. You’ll walk away with strategies to adapt and bounce back when challenges arise.
Big dreams need clear steps. This course breaks down how to set ambitious but realistic objectives and key results (OKRs) you can measure to map out your path to growth. By the end, you’ll know how to define actionable goals and track progress to drive results.
Verizon is offering extra incentives for business owners to complete Digital Ready courses! Members can receive 50% off any Constant Contact account to help build their customer base with effective email marketing. Verizon is also offering a $200 credit on new Indeed job postings: a boost for growing businesses ready to hire.
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 happening soon!
September 18th: Main Street Demo Day Investor Roundtable
September 18th: TiE Connect 2
September 25th: EDDIE Awards
October 8th: Greater Perimeter Chamber: Chamber 101
October 9th: Atlanta Startup Awards
October 15th – 16th: Venture Atlanta
The Takeaway: Building Resiliency and Adaptability
Today’s business landscape is constantly changing. Instead of just reacting to disruptions, it’s important for business leaders to get future-ready and embrace adaptability.
On The Future of Work podcast, Jacob Morgan interviews Lisa Bodell, who shares practical tools that help uncover blind spots and spark new ways to innovate.
Lisa is an award-winning author, global expert on simplification and innovation, and CEO of FutureThink.
