entrepreneurship & small business

Athens Downtown Development Authority awards grants and provides micro-loans to eligible businesses in Athens’ downtown business district.

Athensmade is the “produced-local” chamber for Athens, Georgia. As a non-profit, it educates, supports, and promote homegrown brands, entrepreneurs and creative professions. Learn how you can promote your story of local innovation and business growth.

The mission of East Athens Development Corporation is to promote and support the neighborhood revitalization in East Athens through economic development activities, which will lead to financial security for the citizens of the community.

Contact the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the state’s economic development agency, to get information on state tax credits and state-level resources for minority-owned businesses. Find technology and innovation resources, such as incubators or university research connections across the state that can provide the competitive edge you need.

The Minority Business and Nonprofit Association (MBNA) is a trusted resource and proven advocate for minority businesses and charitable nonprofits.

Northeast Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce serves as an advocate for the creation and growth of competitive, profitable and sustainable Black-owned entities throughout the Northeast Georgia region.

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.

SBA is committed to supporting the development and growth of minority-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

This Division was created to provide special attention to the needs of minority entrepreneurs by identifying procurement opportunities, locating sources of capital, and supporting outreach efforts of minority business people around the state.

The UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides resources and services ranging from business training to individual consulting and international trade. Available to beginning entrepreneurs and experienced business owners looking to grow their business.