Atlanta Resources

Invest Atlanta

The City of Atlanta’s economic development authority focused on supporting small businesses, job creation, and economic growth.

ACE Capita

A nonprofit organization providing affordable loans and business advisory services to small businesses and underserved entrepreneurs in Georgia.

Atlanta Tech Village

A coworking space and community for technology startups to collaborate and grow in Atlanta.

Goodie Nation

A nonprofit that creates social impact by building relationships between tech entrepreneurs and investors, corporations, and partners.

Atlanta Black Chambers

An organization supporting Black-owned businesses in Atlanta through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.

Metro Atlanta Chamber

An organization that drives economic development and public policy initiatives for businesses in the Atlanta region.

ATDC

Georgia’s startup incubator helping tech companies scale and grow through funding, networking, and resources.

Startup Atlanta

A community organization providing resources, support, and visibility for the Atlanta startup ecosystem.

Our Village United

A nonprofit focused on empowering local Black-owned businesses through training, resources, and community support.

Georgia Resources

Georgia Center for Innovation

A state resource that helps Georgia businesses accelerate their growth and competitiveness through innovation.

Small Business in Georgia

A resource hub for small businesses in Georgia offering guidance, financial support, and tools for growth.

Register an LLC in Georgia

Information and steps to register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Georgia.

Apply for Atlanta Business License

Guidance on applying for a business license in the City of Atlanta.

National Resources

SCORE

A nonprofit organization offering free mentoring, workshops, and resources to small businesses nationwide.

SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers loans, grants, and counseling to small businesses across the country.

Ascent

A free e-learning platform from the SBA focused on helping women entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.

Verizon Small Business

A resource hub offering technology and business solutions for small businesses.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

A program providing education, support, and access to capital to help small businesses grow and create jobs.

International Resources

USAID

The United States Agency for International Development provides resources for businesses looking to expand globally and create social impact.

US Commercial Service

A resource from the U.S. Department of Commerce offering international business development services and export assistance.

Federal Resources

SAM

The System for Award Management, a federal registration system required for businesses seeking government contracts.

Apply for a Patent

Instructions on how to apply for a U.S. patent to protect your inventions.

Apply for a Trademark

Guidelines and resources for applying for a trademark through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Certifications

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

Certification for minority-owned businesses to access new business opportunities and resources.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)

A federal certification for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

Certification for women-owned businesses, offering access to networks, contracts, and resources.

Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB)

Certification to help economically disadvantaged, women-owned businesses access federal contracts.

State of GA Business Certification

A certification program for small businesses to access state contracting opportunities in Georgia.

Terri-Nichelle Bradley

Terri-Nichelle Bradley is the Founder and CEO of Play at Brown Toy Box. Bradley believes that Black children should see themselves positively represented in every space the experience regularly, starting with their toybox and the toy aisle. Bradley, an equity in play advocate, is on a mission to disrupt the $27B toy industry by creating a brand that reflects the world we live in today. Launched in 2017 as a STEAM kit, Brown Toy Box evolved into a full-scale educational toy company producing and curating STEAM toys, media, and experiences for centering and celebrating Black children in a manner all children can enjoy, learn, and have fun. Prior to starting Brown Toy Box, Bradley led a communications consultancy working with Fortune 500 companies in campaigns designed to connect with the African American community. Prior to that, Bradley served as the VP of Corporate, Crisis, and Public Affairs for the world’s largest global PR agency. Bradley has been awarded the Civic Impact Award, was recognized as a 2019 Atlanta’s Top 100 Businesswomen of Influence by the Atlanta Business League, acknowledged on the 2020 Who’s Who in Black Atlanta list of influential leaders and most recently named to Inc. Magazine’s 2020 Female Founders 100 list. Brown Toy Box is sold in Target stores nationwide, with Amazon, over 30 museums including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, as well as other independent specialty toy stores and retailers. Learn more at browntoybox.com

Stefan Miller

Stefan Miller is the Co-Founder and CMO for Young King Hair Care, which launched in December 2019. Young King Hair Care is a multicultural grooming and lifestyle brand company with tailored offerings catering to specific needs of young men of color. Stefan is a marketing professional with 15+ years of experience across marketing, sales and consulting in the CPG and tech industries. At Young King, Stefan has been featured in over 75+ national publications, was recognized by Mintel as one of the top US brand innovations of 2021, partnered with Disney and Marvel Studios for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and was a participant on Season 13 of ABC’s Shark Tank. Currently Young King Hair Care is available in multiple retail partners, including Target, Walmart, and CVS, selling in over 3,000 stores across the US. Prior to founding Young King Hair Care, he led business strategy and marketing communications, while launching innovations across multiple billion-dollar brands and categories at IBM, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills, Coca-Cola, and Red Bull. Stefan L. Miller Bio Stefan holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University with concentrations in Brand Marketing, Media Management and Management in Organizations, and is a proud HBCU alum of Morehouse College with a BA in Business Administration. He currently lives with his wife and co-founder Cora and 2 kids, Kade and Cree in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more at youngkinghaircare.com

Ceata E. Lash

Ceata E. Lash, CEO and founder of PuffCuff has emerged as a pioneering figure in the natural hair accessory industry, holding the distinction of being the first African-American woman to secure four US patents in this domain. Her journey to entrepreneurship was built upon a 30-year career as a graphic designer, which laid the foundation for launching PuffCuff in 2013. Ceata’s innovative leadership has earned her prestigious accolades, including the President’s Innovation Award from Sally Beauty and the New Voices + Barefoot Wine Beauty Business Grant. These achievements have placed her among the top female founders featured in Inc. Magazine. Committed to lifelong learning and growth, Ceata has completed the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses National Cohort and was part of the inaugural Amazon Black Business Accelerator Cohort. Her recent completion of the “Building a Successful Diverse Business” program at Tuck Executive Education, Dartmouth, further underscores her dedication to continuous improvement and leadership in the business world. Learn more at thepuffcuff.com