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Invest Atlanta News

Making an Impact on Atlanta

Scroll down to see the impact and stories of people and places supported through Invest Atlanta programs.

 

2024 At A Glance

4,250

New Jobs Created (Business Attraction and Expansion)

$1.57B

Total Capital Investment

$1.85B

Total Economic Impact

2,475

Affordable Housing Units Financed (Multifamily)

409

Homeownership Incentives (Downpayment Assistance, Owner-Occupied Rehab and Tax Relief)

1,845

Small Businesses Supported (Grants, Loans and Technical Assistance)

 

See What We’ve Been Up To

{"result":[{"id":480,"title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","promo_title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","published_date":"2023-04-30","featured_image":{"id":2382,"parent_id":147,"resource_file_name":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":271184,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:48.140-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:49.154-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:38:01.841-04:00","filename_hash":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace_NZnWx47.png","width":1200,"height":600},"filename":"atlinbusiness-marketplace","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3L3ngQ","created_at":"2023-05-04T14:36:35.660-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-08T09:58:03.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Did you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDid you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/marketplace/\"\u003eATLinBusiness Marketplace\u003c/a\u003e offers smaller, diverse suppliers a first destination for greater access to a wide range of buyers to accelerate growth and generate new revenue streams. The platform showcases participating businesses\u0026rsquo; capabilities, diversity classification, certifications and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mayor Andre Dickens, ATLinBusiness Marketplace creates a more equitable business-to-business environment by connecting buyers and sellers in metro Atlanta, including minority-owned, women-owned and legacy businesses. \u0026ldquo;With this program, we aim to provide resources to support our local economy, create more good-paying jobs and ensure Atlanta is a city of opportunity for all,\u0026rdquo; explains Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe launch of the ATLinBusiness Marketplace also reflects buyer behavior, which has become increasingly digital. In fact, LinkedIn reports that nearly 40% of sellers say they have closed deals over $500,000 without ever meeting the buyer face-to-face.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":475,"title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","promo_title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2360,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"wei6.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":158893,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.000-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.796-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.294-04:00","filename_hash":"wei6_P1jN8oo.jpg","width":907,"height":767},"filename":"wei-announces-cohort-6","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AW-vHA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of Cohort # 6 include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMichelle Clay | FREEALITEA\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAhriana Edwards | Vaila Shoes\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber Enadeghe | Artistically Esoteric\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRose Paddyfoot-Gordon | Dba Pink Maison\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarrie Hadley | INDIEHOUSE modern fragrances\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittany Hardy | The Hardy Clinic\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Ramirez-Herrera | OffThaRecord/OTR\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittny James | Project Chick Planner\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRodeline Joseph | Medsembly\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda Kinsey | Amanda\u0026#39;s BarBeeQue\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKatrina Morrison | Mocha Travel\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRhea Perkins | Attyre Delivery\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOlivia Rios | Cold Mountain\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTyana Singletary | BeUTee Bath and Body\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMoneisha White | White Labs Services\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI was founded to help women build thriving, successful businesses. As part of Invest Atlanta, WEI is the only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. Backed by research and findings from leading institutions on women business owners, and with local women entrepreneurs serving as thought leaders, WEI provides participants with a range of resources to carry out their entrepreneurial vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":459,"title":"Answering the Call","promo_title":"Answering the Call","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2131,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":40181,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:53.993-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:54.027-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.730-04:00","filename_hash":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-_g3o461e.jpg","width":400,"height":400},"filename":"answering-the-call","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sZgFbA","created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I envisioned myself sitting on a beach, taking a call from a client,\u0026rdquo; explains Alcide. \u0026ldquo;I know I won\u0026rsquo;t remember to bill that call when I get back to office. That\u0026rsquo;s lost revenue, and it adds up.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, studies show that 40% of billable mobile calls with clients go unbilled. Knowing he had an idea worth exploring, Alcide engaged his brother, Armond Honor\u0026eacute;, who is a software engineer, and together they launched \u003ca href=\"https://billseye.com/\"\u003eBillseye\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBillseye is the first and only real-time mobile call billing solution that captures client calls and automatically records relevant data, such as the date, time and length of call. Using the app, users simply push the blue Billseye icon to answer incoming client calls, which appears on the phone\u0026rsquo;s home screen above the red \u0026ldquo;decline\u0026rdquo; or green \u0026ldquo;accept\u0026rdquo; buttons.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide knew the Billseye solution would appeal to attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals. He didn\u0026rsquo;t anticipate a full 40% of Billseye users would be under the age of 25 \u0026ndash; freelancers, influencers and solopreneurs who rely on their phones to manage their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;How we work has changed so much, especially after the pandemic,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;So much that\u0026nbsp;we adjusted our roadmap and marketing strategy to help people in the new economy capture billable hours and get paid fairly for the service they provide.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide, who still moonlights as an attorney, describes Billseye as a bootstrapped startup that\u0026rsquo;s trying to get its footing, raise funds and accommodate growth. Invest Atlanta has been a key supporter along this journey, providing a low-interest loan for equipment and consulting resources, as well as a New and Emerging Tech Tax Waiver, which waives the fees associated with obtaining a business license for five years. Alcide has also applied for a Resurgence Grant and has taken advantage of the ATLinBusiness portal for marketing support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been amazing to transform an idea into something tangible and have support from Invest Atlanta along the way,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;Our contacts at Invest Atlanta are so responsive; they know which resources are applicable to our business and proactively suggest opportunities. It\u0026rsquo;s great to have people who recognize the value of what we\u0026rsquo;re doing and actively support it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":455,"title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","promo_title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2059,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":380209,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.747-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.793-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.706-04:00","filename_hash":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-_6XBEWeX.png","width":940,"height":788},"filename":"congratulations-to-the-2022-reimagine-opportunity-small-business-cohort","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gb61cA","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:59:07.219-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.674-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program is a 10-week curriculum designed to equip entrepreneurs with digital skillsets to launch their business to the next level. Topics include everything from financial statements and managing a remote team to marketing, branding, SEO optimization, cyber security and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Reimagine Opportunity Cohort program was an excellent opportunity for my company to gain the expertise needed to pivot in a new direction,\u0026rdquo; says Lisa Johnson, executive director of Mathtopian Preparation Inc. \u0026ldquo;The support of the staff and the camaraderie between cohort members inspired me to embrace the idea of major change to our service model.\u0026nbsp; Many of us have had little formal business training and after the Reimagine experience, can apply what we\u0026#39;ve learned to our day-to-day operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":430,"title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","promo_title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1759,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"community-navigator-icon_original.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":51843,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.321-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.350-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.730-05:00","filename_hash":"community-navigator-icon_original_2ayyo1Y.png","width":624,"height":327},"filename":"grant-to-support-small-business-outreach","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8szMdQ","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:48:32.555-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.703-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUtilizing a \u0026ldquo;hub and spoke\u0026rdquo; model from public health care federal programming,\u0026nbsp;the Community Navigator\u0026nbsp;Pilot Program\u0026nbsp;will help level the playing field for entrepreneurs, especially underserved women, people of color,\u0026nbsp;veterans,\u0026nbsp;and rural and low-income communities.\u0026nbsp;Grantee\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;hubs\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;will serve as\u0026nbsp;centralized, lead organizations,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;will incorporate \u0026ldquo;spokes\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;leverage\u0026nbsp;partnerships\u0026nbsp;with deeply trusted community-based organizations\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses navigate government resources and\u0026nbsp;tap into\u0026nbsp;critical resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Community Navigator Pilot Program, SBA is engaging with states, local governments, resource partners and other organizations in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the\u0026nbsp;SBA has been focused on providing more tools\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses \u0026ndash; especially those in disinvested communities. \u0026ldquo;Through this partnership with the Georgia Microenterprise Network, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)\u0026nbsp;and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, we\u0026rsquo;re going to be able to provide technical assistance support to our businesses specifically in underinvested parts of town,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m excited about this relationship, excited about more funds coming to the city to support our businesses and excited to see what this investment will mean to a lot of our underserved communities and businesses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lsquo;Hubs\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Spokes\u0026rdquo; will partner to connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community to assistance during economic recovery, including financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procurement; marketing, operations, business development and exporting; as well as industry-specific training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"_com_4\" uage=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":422,"title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","promo_title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1700,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"witwweb.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":269253,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.436-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.483-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.254-04:00","filename_hash":"witwweb_gvwMJeN.png","width":1280,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-organizations-come-together-to-empower-women","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"r6u6_w","created_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n According to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatistics show that working women have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in January 2021 alone, some 275,000 women\u0026mdash;accounting \u0026nbsp;for nearly 80% of all workers over age 20 \u0026ndash; left the workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut several Atlanta organizations have joined together to provide women with guidance and tactical tools to help combat this dip in employment. The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) and One Atlanta, launched \u0026ldquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; a hybrid roundtable and marketplace initiative featuring monthly programming to serve women throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe kickoff event, held Sept. 13-17, featured citywide programs and resources specific to women. Monthly programming will continue to serve women throughout Atlanta by addressing five areas of focus: Economic Mobility; Mental Health; Entrepreneurship; Families \u0026amp; Childcare; and Capital Investment \u0026amp; Resource Allotment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The risk of women leaving the labor force and reducing work hours in order to assume caretaking responsibilities amounts to tens of billions of dollars per year in lost wages and economic activity,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;For a healthy, equitable economy, women, particularly those in underserved communities, need access to resources like \u0026lsquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rsquo; so they can continue to be strong financial contributors while also caring for their loved ones.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or to register for the event, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\"\u003ewww.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003chr size=\"1\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":419,"title":"Reimagine Opportunity Cohort Announces Participants","promo_title":"Digital Accelerator Helps Lift Up Small Businesses","published_date":"2021-08-25","featured_image":{"id":1676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1134327,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.096-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.169-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.347-04:00","filename_hash":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-_ymKKZMn.png","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"reimagine-opportunity-cohort-announces-participants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hh8jvQ","created_at":"2021-08-26T11:48:45.804-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.322-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is helping small businesses rise, recover and soar following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through the 2021 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;no-cost, 12-week program for Atlanta small business owners\u0026nbsp;is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, with curriculum provided by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).\u0026nbsp;Program topics include\u0026nbsp;managing\u0026nbsp;financial\u0026nbsp;statements,\u0026nbsp;utilizing\u0026nbsp;artificial\u0026nbsp;intelligence,\u0026nbsp;e-commerce,\u0026nbsp;managing a\u0026nbsp;remote\u0026nbsp;team,\u0026nbsp;raising\u0026nbsp;capital,\u0026nbsp;marketing, and\u0026nbsp;branding,\u0026nbsp;legal,\u0026nbsp;SEO\u0026nbsp;optimization,\u0026nbsp;cyber\u0026nbsp;security and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses\u0026nbsp;are asking for\u0026nbsp;deep-dive\u0026nbsp;technical assistance,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Dr.\u0026nbsp;Eloisa\u0026nbsp;Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president, and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is a comprehensive way to help\u0026nbsp;fortify\u0026nbsp;our businesses\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;key to\u0026nbsp;our\u0026nbsp;economic\u0026nbsp;mobility strategy.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eParticipating\u0026nbsp;small businesses include:​\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAlicia Gibbons \u0026ndash; Fruity Ice and Treats\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngela Ashley \u0026ndash; Angelic\u0026rsquo;s Gourmet\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngelic Keels \u0026ndash; Zeal Consultants\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eChantel Henry \u0026ndash; Our Legacy Project\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDawn Johnson \u0026ndash; DCJ Consulting\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDeandrea Byrd \u0026ndash; Tutu Maniac\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eKhadija Head \u0026ndash; Heads Plumbing\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eLatasha Thym \u0026ndash; Restoration Hero\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eMarion Hargett \u0026ndash; Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Wings\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSheyil Rena Taylor \u0026ndash; Administrative Professional Services\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSonya Gilkey \u0026ndash; Wrapaloc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTariq Abdullah \u0026ndash; Tarchitects\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTess Vismale \u0026ndash; iSocial Execution\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":416,"title":"Carbice Corporation Continues to Grow","promo_title":"With funding from AEMI, Carbice Corporation is continuing to grow","published_date":"2021-08-19","featured_image":{"id":1672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_4744-scaled.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":604179,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:14.826-04:00","caption":"carbice","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:15.189-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.906-04:00","filename_hash":"img_4744-scaled_jpjzDRW.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707},"filename":"carbice-corporation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"df3saw","created_at":"2021-08-19T16:38:00.323-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.887-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCarbice Corporation\u0026rsquo;s aim is to redefine the thermal material market, and Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, is investing $1 million to help the company get one step closer to that goal. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta start-up, founded by heat transfer expert and Georgia Tech professor Baratunde Cola, has developed Carbice\u0026reg; Carbon\u0026mdash;a thermal management material that cools devices, so they don\u0026rsquo;t overheat. Carbice Carbon can be found inside electronics, ranging from smart phones to satellites, and the product has even been tested on the International Space Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s funding will support Carbice\u0026rsquo;s purchase of a critical piece of equipment for its newly leased laboratory and manufacturing hub, a new 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the city of Atlanta. The new equipment and facility will allow the organization to serve a larger customer base, retain and increase its local talent, and become an influential local employer and technology company in Atlanta. The corporation currently has 14 employees and plans to increase this number by severalfold by 2024 by tapping into WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s pipeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We are so excited to team with Atlanta Emerging Markets and Invest Atlanta to support our mission of helping our customers, stakeholders, and community achieve more with confidence,\u0026rdquo; said Baratunde Cola, Carbice founder and CEO. \u0026ldquo;Carbice enables the future of electronics, and through this work, we achieve our mission.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn active participant in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Students2Startup program, Carbice also plans to partner with local universities and state colleges to create a nanomaterial manufacturing training program to help pre-qualify people for jobs at Carbice with higher pay.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s investment in Carbice aligns with its mission to increase the access to capital for entrepreneurs, that are creating accessible jobs and social impact in historically disinvested neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on AEMI, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003ehttps://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on the Carbice Corporation, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://carbice.com/\"\u003ehttps://carbice.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":393,"title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","promo_title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":73,"parent_id":9,"resource_file_name":"wei_2x.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":56680,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.209-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.275-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.809-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_2x_8my2wma.png","width":342,"height":198},"filename":"new-grant-helps-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-expand-mission","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AYcH8A","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-7ebfbf1f-7fff-fc17-e478-8dc28232ee61\"\u003eThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI has an active programming curriculum that includes Business Analysis, Learning \u0026amp; Leadership Development, Strategic Partnerships and Funding Opportunities \u0026ndash; all of which focus on startup workshops and webinars to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial pipeline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI will receive the grant funds via Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), which will serve as its fiscal partner. ACE is a nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development resources to help its borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses which generate jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;This grant will help WEI strengthen its pipeline, which is a key goal for 2021,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Hooks, executive director for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative. \u0026ldquo;We are looking to reach more budding entrepreneurs, and with these funds, we feel we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to touch at least 200 women-owned businesses throughout the \u003c/span\u003ecity of Atlanta and at least 120 minority-owned women businesses through workshops and webinars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe LISC grant will not only help develop potential entrepreneurs so they can participate in incubator programs, like WEI, and/or accelerator programs within the city of Atlanta, it also will provide no-cost support for those in need of access to information, technical resources and one-on-one engagement.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI was launched in 2015 with support from the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta as the first, city-funded incubator to foster growth and sustainability for emerging women-owned businesses through programming, facilities, technology and other shared resources.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntrepreneurs are competitively selected for a rigorous 15-month incubator program, during which the WEI entrepreneurs have access to practical business, education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business support services, including co-location at the new WEI incubator space in the Flatiron Building.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the city of Atlanta, and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":386,"title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","promo_title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","published_date":"2021-01-26","featured_image":{"id":1475,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-13-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":540610,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.812-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.923-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.654-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-13-_ymPpBjD.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"bohica-development-to-further-redevelopment-of-the-eastside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lsyZ3g","created_at":"2021-01-26T10:11:19.525-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.630-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eA new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeveloper Bohica II, LLC will restore and expand the space to accommodate two potential restaurant concepts. The renovation will increase the space from 1,250 square feet to approximately 4,300 square feet, which includes the addition of a second story with a separate entrance. The renovation also will offer upgraded parking, a large street-side patio with a fireplace element, landscaping and new fencing. The ground floor will include an all-weather enclosed patio, and an upper-level deck will overlook the Atlanta skyline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eThis project provides for economic development and historic preservation within the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District \u0026ndash; two key goals for the Eastside TAD.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":342,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League, a Near Century-Old Atlanta Landmark Organization Remains Strong During Pandemic ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League","published_date":"2020-08-20","featured_image":{"id":1365,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"abl.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":177717,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:16.960-04:00","caption":"Atlanta Business League","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:17.031-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T13:00:53.972-04:00","filename_hash":"abl_W1zLxK8.jpg","width":1420,"height":796},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-atlanta-business-league-a-near-century-old-atlanta-landmark-organization-remains-strong-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M5IlYg","created_at":"2020-08-20T13:09:11.241-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:11:05.113-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/447178476","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Business League (ABL) is an 87-year-old business organization focused on the growth, creation, and development of successful African American business owners in Atlanta. Leona Barr Davenport, President and CEO of the ABL, says its goal has remained the same since the enterprise\u0026rsquo;s inception in 1933: \u0026ldquo;To help our members stay connected, to highlight them in the community, to market them, and to continue to bring value in the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHelping its members pivot or \u0026ldquo;re-imagine\u0026rdquo; their businesses has been part of the ABL\u0026rsquo;s mission since well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas luncheons, workshops, and seminars were programming staples, they\u0026rsquo;ve had to switch to utilizing more technology in order to bring information of value to their members, such as hosting weekly webinars.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been a longstanding partner of the Atlanta Business League and, remarks Barr-Davenport, the Atlanta community as a whole. She feels the city of Atlanta is unique in providing young business owners with the opportunities to connect and build relationships with veteran, seasoned business owners.\u0026nbsp; Remarks Barr-Davenport, \u0026ldquo;I would encourage aspiring business owners to understand that building relationships is key.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":337,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iWi Fresh Pivots to “Uber Self Care” During Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iwi Fresh","published_date":"2020-07-21","featured_image":{"id":1295,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"iwi_fresh.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":112807,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.309-04:00","caption":"iwi Fresh","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.867-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.536-04:00","filename_hash":"iwi_fresh_5E6q6Oq.jpg","width":1303,"height":799},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-iwi-fresh-pivots-to-uber-self-care-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JizsPA","created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:39.407-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.483-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/440647944","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYolanda Owens, owner of iwi Fresh - the garden day spa located in the historic Castleberry Hill Art district - has been making her own natural skincare recipes for fourteen years. Inspired by her grandmother, Owens developed the hobby of creating skincare products and beauty creams for her family and friends. Nicknamed \u0026ldquo;The Skincare Chef,\u0026rdquo; Owens went on to open iwi Fresh in 2010, where clients can purchase their farm-based, raw ingredient products and enjoy spa treatments.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWith the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Owens developed several innovative ways to adapt, such as creating \u0026ldquo;Uber Self Care\u0026rdquo; which delivered products to customers\u0026rsquo; doorsteps. \u0026ldquo;Another pivot that we did was Quarantine Selfcare Curbside Pickup,\u0026rdquo; Owens explained, where customers could pick up products safely from outside the store.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, Owens has taken to social media to promote their products and services and hosts an Instagram Live program about self care.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe new product packages that iwi Fresh launched in order to serve its clients during the pandemic also came with extra expenses, such as packaging materials and ingredients. The Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) was able to help the company with these needs. \u0026ldquo;With the [BCLF] money I was able to take care of staff, and I was able to take care of inventory,\u0026rdquo; said Owens. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta seems like the central hub for small business owners in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; remarked Owens. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s the go-to place.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":336,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Comedy Theater Dad’s Garage Finds Creative Ways to Survive Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Dad's Garage","published_date":"2020-07-08","featured_image":{"id":1283,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"dadsgarage-106.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2239695,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:47.751-04:00","caption":"Dad's Garage","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:48.415-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.110-04:00","filename_hash":"dadsgarage-106_LgmWJxr.jpg","width":5716,"height":3355},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-comedy-theater-dads-garage-finds-creative-ways-to-survive-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1g_i1w","created_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:13.434-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.051-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHoused in a former church in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Old Fourth Ward is Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage, the award-winning nonprofit theater company, now in its 25th year. All of the performers have one goal for the 450 shows they annually produce: \u0026ldquo;To transform people, communities, and perspectives using laughter.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Director Lara Smith explained that, since they cannot hold live shows, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has taken its content to Twitch, an online streaming platform. Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage currently streams between thirty and forty hours of content a week. Smith says they\u0026rsquo;ve received over 10 thousand viewers - much more than the number of people they would usually reach with only live performances.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the improv shows Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces, the company also provides classes for the general public, year-round youth programming including a summer-camp component, and training for corporations. Even during the pandemic, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has successfully moved their classes, youth program and summer-camp to a digital format.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith says one added benefit of moving online is that, \u0026ldquo;in all of these areas people can now participate from father away. We have people from all over the Southeast who are aware of Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage and now they can participate.\u0026rdquo; While the theater remains closed for the foreseeable future, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has created three distinct ways for people to support the company via Twitch - through a donation, a micro donation or with a subscription.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces some original scripted comedic works, many of which have a social justice angle - while still offering laughs. Some of these archived shows are available to rent and watch, with all proceeds going to support those on the frontlines of the respective causes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Twitch is helping tremendously and paying for itself, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage still has operating costs to maintain and employees on staff. As they began to think about reopening, Smith explained that the funding from the Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) provided them with flexibility.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s allowed us to think longer term and bigger picture. For us, it\u0026rsquo;s given us the space to think long term and we can look strictly at the data as to when it\u0026rsquo;s safe to reopen. We want to make sure our audience feels safe.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the funds will help pay for necessary renovations, in accordance with the Center for Disease Control\u0026rsquo;s safety requirements for businesses to reopen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith feels that the company was uniquely positioned to be able to pivot gracefully from live shows to Twitch. After losing their longtime rental home in Inman Park in 2013, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage spent two years being \u0026ldquo;homeless.\u0026rdquo; It was during that challenging time that Smith says that they were able to reaffirm their mission. The team recognized that stage shows were not the sole way to fulfill their goal. They created other programming which they are now relying upon during the pandemic. Remarked Smith, \u0026ldquo;You can always pivot, if you get to the heart of what you\u0026rsquo;re trying to do.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":335,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Vine City Eatery Pivots with Business Continuity Loan Fund Assistance ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Local Green","published_date":"2020-07-02","featured_image":{"id":1282,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"local_green.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":181867,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.132-04:00","caption":"Local Green","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.569-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:08.024-04:00","filename_hash":"local_green_kbpbLjq.jpg","width":1363,"height":940},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-vine-city-eatery-pivots-with-business-continuity-loan-fund-assistance","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9U9l1Q","created_at":"2020-07-02T14:26:10.068-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:07.980-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/435731335?title=0\u0026byline=0\u0026portrait=0","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNative Atlantan Zak Wallace, owner, founder, and CEO of the Vine City eatery Local Green, grew up in a food desert in Southwest Atlanta. Inspired after seeing first-hand how food insecurity and poor eating habits plagued his community, in 2017 he created Local Green. The business began as a food truck and grew to become a thriving restaurant, serving healthy food to a community desperately lacking in \u0026ldquo;wholesome food options.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the pandemic hit in March, Local Green\u0026rsquo;s business plummeted drastically and took a huge financial hit. Says Wallace, \u0026ldquo;People from Invest Atlanta reached out and were able to tell me what programs were available.\u0026rdquo; Local Green received thirty thousand dollars in Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) funds.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;The resources I was allotted allowed me to make sure my operational money was in place for the core of my business,\u0026rdquo; explains Wallace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace says that \u0026ldquo;human interactions\u0026rdquo; have been one of the biggest changes his business has seen as a result of COVID-19. \u0026ldquo;People would come in and it was like an escape of what might be going on outside the doors. Now we are doing all digital online ordering and curbside delivery.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Because Local Green\u0026rsquo;s dining room remains closed due to COVID-19, Wallace is looking to expand the food truck model and form deeper connections with other communities, too. This transition will allow Local Green to continue to spread its message of health and hope across Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace is tremendously grateful for the BCLF and Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s overall mission.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been here in an ideal way,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":333,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Community Barbershop in Kirkwood Reopens After Two Month Covid-19 Closure","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Barbershop","published_date":"2020-06-17","featured_image":{"id":1235,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4g0a4466-edit.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":13368440,"resource_updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.040-04:00","caption":"Trophy Room - Rolando","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.529-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.095-04:00","filename_hash":"4g0a4466-edit_Qgabbxl.jpg","width":3742,"height":5054},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-trophy-room-community-barbershop-in-kirkwood-reopens-after-two-month-covid-19-closure","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gPukIg","created_at":"2020-06-17T14:11:35.468-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.038-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRolando Rubi, owner of The Trophy Room Barber Shop, a neighborhood barber shop in Kirkwood on the east side of Atlanta, knows that his store is much more than a place where men can get a great haircut. \u0026ldquo;Our focus is really building relationships with our clients. I feel we give back to Kirkwood just that.\u0026nbsp; A very safe, clean, fun place to get a haircut but also a place where the neighbors have a chance to meet each other and create their own type of community.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi turned to Invest Atlanta to help him open the shop back in 2014. After successfully repaying his loan, he was awarded with the Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;Community Favorite\u0026rdquo; award in 2017.\u0026nbsp; When the pandemic hit this Spring, like so many businesses, Trophy Room had to temporarily close its doors, and Rubi reached out to partner with Invest Atlanta once again. Trophy Room received a twenty-five-thousand-dollar Business Community Loan Fund (BCLF) \u0026nbsp;to help fund the renovations necessary to reopen in a safe manner for both their clients and team.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to modifying and opening up the existing space to ensure that all of his five full-time barbers have the requisite socially distant space between their areas, Rubi needed to purchase PPE equipment, infrared thermometers, and air purifiers.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the barbers themselves have had to modify their schedules so that only two barbers are working at a time, to minimize the amount of people inside the shop.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room has always been by appointment only so this will certainly help reduce foot traffic, as they do not accept walk-ins.\u0026nbsp; And, because client safety and infection control has always been paramount to the field of cosmetology, Rubi feels the extra precautions will simply be adjusting to the \u0026ldquo;new normal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Trophy Room Renovation\" height=\"667\" src=\"/assets/4g0a4387_QgabbEg.jpg\" width=\"1000\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter being closed for two months, Trophy Room reopened in early June.\u0026nbsp; Rubi says he feels \u0026ldquo;confident that barbering is an economically stable industry where we can safely return and make an honest living.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they were gearing up to reopen, Rubi and his staff called each and every one of their regular clients to let them know they were reopening.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room\u0026rsquo;s loyal customer base has been helping support the shop during the two-month closure, through purchasing gift cards as well as tipping the individual barbers \u0026ldquo;very generously\u0026rdquo; via Venmo.\u0026nbsp; Rubi also credits his staff with doing their part to help flatten the curve \u0026ndash; not doing any side-jobs \u0026ndash; and waiting until it was safe before returning to work.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Slow and steady always wins the race, and that\u0026rsquo;s what we are doing.\u0026nbsp; We are adjusting what works and changing what doesn\u0026rsquo;t.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi believes that his positive outlook on life and his way of handling negative situations has helped tremendously, too.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Covid-19 came. I could\u0026rsquo;ve reacted negatively and chosen a different path, and I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be as solvent financially, emotionally, or spiritually. I chose the positive route,\u0026rdquo; he explains.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;And also, homemade chocolate chip cookies help.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":332,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid","published_date":"2020-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1222,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":820639,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:21.875-04:00","caption":"Alkaloid","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:22.059-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.644-04:00","filename_hash":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5_6aw3b34.jpg","width":2500,"height":1841},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-virtual-coworking-with-alkaloid","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"t-oNwg","created_at":"2020-05-26T11:15:59.494-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.604-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBack in March, when the shelter-in-place order was issued, Katharine Chestnut applied to seven different places for loan assistance for her Coworking spaces business, Alkaloid Networks. Chestnut explained that Invest Atlanta was the only one that came through. \u0026ldquo;They came through when everyone else was crickets or \u0026lsquo;we don\u0026rsquo;t know what we\u0026rsquo;re doing.\u0026rsquo; \u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLocated in a 14,000 square foot historic cotton warehouse along the Eastside Beltline, Alkaloid Networks just celebrated its fifth anniversary, though Chestnut says the celebration will have to wait. Instead of having gift bags on hand for members, she drove around the city delivering them. \u0026ldquo;Coworking is a very localized thing and I needed my members to feel connected,\u0026rdquo; she explained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDuring the first few weeks of the pandemic, Chestnut immediately launched a multitude of virtual events for her members, providing speakers and work-sprints.\u0026nbsp; Because Alkaloid depends completely on membership dues, Chestnut had to drastically adapt her business since, apart from some essential workers, the majority of members were unable to come in. She also offers a variety of free services because, \u0026ldquo;there are a lot of people who are suddenly working from home now for the first time!\u0026rdquo; To that end, she now offers a new level of membership for those who work from home in addition to posting her free events to LinkedIn and Facebook, and has a Slack channel which she calls \u0026ldquo;The Bright Side\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; for people to share positivity. The response, Chestnut says, \u0026ldquo;has been very good.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eChestnut is called \u0026ldquo;The Connector\u0026rdquo; by her current and former members, because she is known for her ability to help foster relationships amongst everyone she knows. Even when people move away or outgrow her space, many of them still keep in touch with her.\u0026nbsp; She says she thrives on seeing people and knows how hard it is to suddenly feel isolated. As such, a few weeks ago she sent out personal emails to each of her 150 members, checking in and asking them what changes they would need to see in place before returning to their spaces. Many members wrote back saying how much they appreciated the communication and the virtual services she is providing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOne of the things Chestnut feels has helped her during this time when she went from 94% occupancy to barely breaking even, was having a plan. \u0026ldquo;If you weren\u0026rsquo;t prepared for this, it was not a good thing. I remember when 9/11 happened and I was I the events business.\u0026nbsp; It was pretty devastating, and people were very slow to return. They did, and they will now.\u0026rdquo; Still, while she\u0026rsquo;s not able to give tours and backfill her vacancies, having Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s zero percent interest financial assistance helps tremendously. But, she adds, \u0026ldquo;have a plan.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":331,"title":"Atlanta’s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2020 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"WEI 2020 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":843,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3249,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.735-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.258-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia_6ab7Pwe.jpg","width":194,"height":107},"filename":"atlantas-women-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2020-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pUqIXw","created_at":"2020-05-21T16:07:02.425-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.200-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the fifteen members of its third cohort at the monthly meeting of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries, from AgTech to healthcare to retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the City of Atlanta and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of community support for female entrepreneurs and noted that nearly 48 percent of women cite this lack of support as a key challenge they face. \u0026ldquo;The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative provides these entrepreneurs with resources that can help them thrive. Invest Atlanta is committed to assisting women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses so they can become the city\u0026#39;s job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants benefit from co-working space in downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building for the 15-month program that includes business education, financial literacy, marketing and branding strategies, as well as other types of mentor and peer support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI 2020 cohort includes Atlanta-based women entrepreneurs representing industries in AgTech, Construction, Consumer Goods, Information Technology, Health Care, Education, Marketing \u0026amp; Advertising and Workforce Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalling the newest cohort \u0026ldquo;the strongest yet,\u0026rdquo; WEI Executive Director Monica Hooks said, \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m beyond thrilled to help lead this group of extraordinary entrepreneurs. They represent Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s best and brightest. They are smart, they are agile, they are problem solvers, and their innovative solutions will help define the future of business. WEI is not just about women. It is about good business driven by women.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2020 cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAkissi Y. Stokes, WUNDERgrubs, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda A. Farahany, Bamboo Services LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber R. Lawson, Aspire Construction \u0026amp; Real Estate Consulting\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAriel Lopez, KNAC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDenise Alexis, DESIGN-1-1 LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvana Oli, Beautiful Curly Me LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHannelore Berger, JOYVIAL\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJamia Ramsey, Blendz Apparel Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKristina Monique Smith, Hope for Youth, Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eQuyionah Wingfield, Cool Moms Dance Too\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSarah Lindley Marske, Saramar, LLC DBA Saramar Group\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTanjuria A. Willis, eKlozet, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrish Miller, The William Pleshette Company\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVeronica Woodruff, Travelsist\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVictoria Randle, CNA Instructors Secret Cocktail\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":317,"title":"Highly Successful Second Year Points to Growth of Students2Startups Program in 2020","promo_title":"Students2Startups Looks Forward to Promising Year Three","published_date":"2020-01-30","featured_image":{"id":1096,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"img_1567.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1574236,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.828-05:00","caption":"Students2Startups","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.935-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.668-05:00","filename_hash":"img_1567_JjEYNne.jpg","width":3520,"height":1980},"filename":"highly-successful-second-year-points-to-growth-of-students2startups-program-in-2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yRf6BA","created_at":"2020-01-30T20:47:32.722-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.646-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is a city with a reputation for being a leader in high-tech sector jobs and commerce. Students2Startups\u0026nbsp;is a mentoring program helping the city of Atlanta reinforce this status and retain some of the city\u0026rsquo;s top talent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups began in 2018 as an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms who, together with Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta, wanted to help continue to build Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech talent pipeline.\u0026nbsp; Invest Atlanta manages the program and, last year alone, paired 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups.\u0026nbsp; Atlanta-based students are subsidized through the City of Atlanta to complete full-time, paid Summer internships in a wide array of entrepreneurial settings including tech development, business development, and marketing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile interns benefit through hands-on experience with projects in a variety of areas, there also exist enormous benefits to startups as they are given motivated, hard-working students to help their startups grow and flourish.\u0026nbsp; Over the course of three years, S2S will impact nearly 75 Atlanta tech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program has earned high acclaim from past participants. Ernesto Escobar, CEO of FanaticusXR, praised the program: \u0026ldquo;The Students2Startups program is fantastic. We were able to work with two talented and motivated students that we wouldn\u0026#39;t have been able to afford full-time over the Summer. They made tremendous contributions to the company\u0026#39;s technology and culture. We liked them so much that we kept both of them after the program was over.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCabrice Corporation is another startup greatly assisted through participation in the program. Marcus A. Walker, Director of Business Operations \u0026amp; Finance with Cabrice Corporation, remarked: \u0026quot;We\u0026#39;ve been working with the Students2Startups program now for a couple years and absolutely love it. Like most start-ups, we don\u0026#39;t lack in work, but we\u0026#39;re always needing capable people to fill out our teams. S2S consistently puts high-end talent in our office that is ready to learn and get work done. Atlanta is a hot bed for young talent, and S2S does an amazing job helping startups get connected with these individuals.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is currently gearing up for its third season, to be held in the Summer 2020.\u0026nbsp; Both prospective students and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":303,"title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","published_date":"2019-11-14","featured_image":{"id":1060,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"eie_2019_awards.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":15847090,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.383-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.999-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-25T08:48:28.218-05:00","filename_hash":"eie_2019_awards_W1Menjv.jpg","width":5557,"height":3708},"filename":"invest-atlanta-honors-local-entrepreneurs-at-excellence-in-entrepreneurship-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CT7HMQ","created_at":"2019-11-14T10:19:56.954-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:27:14.594-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This annual gathering celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and the impact that Atlanta small businesses make everyday in creating jobs for residents and economic investment across the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Behind every small business there is an entrepreneur with a dream. I am proud that for more than 40 years, Invest Atlanta has helped so many entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams through our programs. These programs help level the playing field for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and invest in people bringing new business activity to our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta began hosting the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards, formerly named the Excellence in Small Business Awards, in 2017 to showcase Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community and provide an opportunity for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the city to connect. This year, the program was expanded with additional awards and recognized the role that small businesses play in fostering equity in Atlanta communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t think there\u0026rsquo;s a better place to be than Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Ryan Wilson, CEO and Founder of The Gathering Spot. Wilson was the keynote speaker for the event, and offered advice to other current and aspiring entrepenerus at the ceremony in a Q \u0026amp; A style keynote with Councilmember Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Small ideas will keep you small. Get the best possible versions of your ideas out there.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses contribute much more than the products, services, and jobs they provide. They bring communities together and shape the identity of our neighborhoods. They are examples of economic opportunity and a pathway to wealth creation,\u0026rdquo; said Lonnie Saboor, Director of Small Business Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 Excellence in Entrepreneurship award recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommercial Development Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Regenia Marble\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Burk\u0026rsquo;s Jewelers (District 5)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Profile Enterprises (District 11)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellence in Longevity\u003c/strong\u003e: DJP Properties\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForever I Love Atlanta Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Atlanta Influences Everything\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFranchise Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: JRC Monger Inc. d/b/a JR Crickets\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturing Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Cultured South\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedia Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Story First Creative Agency\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShining Startup\u003c/strong\u003e: Steady\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthside Champion\u003c/strong\u003e: System 5 Electronics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrailblazer Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Goodr\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoman of Influence\u003c/strong\u003e: Skylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured a live pitch competition for four local startups. Participants included Backyard ATL, Pelooc, Mid City, and Musicb\u0026uuml;k. The winner, MusicB\u0026uuml;k, was selected through audience participation and received a $5,000 prize courtesy of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., LISC Atlanta, and Wharton Law. Winning startup MusicB\u0026uuml;k uses artificial intelligence to connect music instructors to students, and is projected to generate $16 million in revenue by 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea of \u0026lsquo;Excellence in Entrepreneurship\u0026rsquo; embodies more than just a successful business. It recognizes the hard work, determination, courage, and leadership that it takes to be an entrepreneur,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is often a last resort for business owners who\u0026rsquo;ve been turned down by banks unwilling to believe in them. But we believe every small business idea can be a big opportunity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has grown its direct loan programs for small businesses from one program with a loan limit of $15,000, to nine programs with a loan capacity of up to $100,000. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $13 million in 216 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $42.3 million in capital.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":302,"title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","promo_title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","published_date":"2019-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1007,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"article_request_form.docx.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1255695,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.520-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.999-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.119-04:00","filename_hash":"article_request_form.docx_jpMv5bV.png","width":1200,"height":643},"filename":"monica-hooks-named-new-executive-director-of-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fD4gtQ","created_at":"2019-10-21T13:22:28.226-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies. Hooks brings more than 20 years of marketing and business development experience to the position with deep expertise in new media, entertainment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs WEI Executive Director, she will lead the WEI program, including the strategic direction, administration, and day-to-day activities of the organization with oversight from Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s CEO and the WEI board of directors. Hooks will develop, manage, and execute programs and initiatives that support the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship with a keen focus on launching the program\u0026rsquo;s third cohort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe will also be responsible for key areas such as innovation policy, entrepreneur workforce programs, women entrepreneurship, financial capacity building, and entrepreneur retention and entrepreneur development throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a national leader in female entrepreneurship, and our region is home to more than 200,000 women-owned businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As that number continues to grow, we want to provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Since the City of Atlanta became the first city to fund and launch an incubator like WEI, we have supported dozens of successful women entrepreneurs. We will continue to do so under the guidance of Monica Hooks.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the board, I am very pleased to welcome Monica to WEI,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As an accomplished entrepreneur herself, she has the expertise and experience required to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of women entrepreneurs. The WEI Board is proud of the work we have done so far to level the playing field, and looking ahead, we are so happy to have a leader like Monica Hooks push the WEI mission forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, roughly 40 percent of businesses are women-owned, yet female entrepreneurs must still overcome social and economic barriers many of their male peers do not face,\u0026rdquo; said Grace Fricks, President and CEO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a city committed to supporting all its entrepreneurs, and I look forward to working closely with Monica to help more women launch successful businesses and grow our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Hooks was CEO of m-oracle LLC d/b/a The Marketing Oracle, a marketing innovation agency offering strategy and market research.\u0026nbsp; The firm has leveraged marketing data to garner partnerships with companies like Reservoir Media, Epic Records, I Am Other, Grand Hustle and William Morris Endeavor, and placements with brands like NBA.TV, Samsung, Playstation, and Disney Interactive.\u0026nbsp; m-oracle LLC is a graduate of the WEI inaugural class and winner of the 2017 Microsoft Innovation Bots and Cognitive Services award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am thrilled to join the Invest Atlanta team to support women founders and small business owners throughout the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hooks. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the past success WEI has had as an incubator empowering our entrepreneurs and providing the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHooks also brings with her years of marketing experience she gained at Sony Music Entertainment, where she held product management, international marketing and business affairs roles.\u0026nbsp; At Sony, Hooks was responsible for brands focused on youth culture and early social media influencers. Hooks received her bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree from Dartmouth College in government where she earned the Dean\u0026rsquo;s Award. She received her M.B.A. from The Wharton School with concentrations in international marketing, finance, and entrepreneurial management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI will begin accepting applications in November 2019 for its next cohort of women entrepreneurs. Information and application forms will be available at www.weiatlanta.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":299,"title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","published_date":"2019-10-15","featured_image":{"id":1010,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"iedc_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1297724,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:14.585-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:15.125-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.163-04:00","filename_hash":"iedc_award_kb5b4M6.png","width":1200,"height":719},"filename":"invest-atlanta-receives-top-awards-from-iedc","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iaKF_w","created_at":"2019-10-16T14:38:56.198-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.125-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis. IEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Students2Startups program and a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Annual Report category.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It means so much to have our industry leadership recognized in this way,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In its second year, Students2Startups has opened the door to career opportunities for more than 34 students while further strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s robust tech talent pipeline. I hope that other cities around the world can look at what we\u0026rsquo;ve done here and replicate the success we\u0026rsquo;ve had subsidizing these high-quality entrepreneurial internships.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year\u0026#39;s most influential leaders. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 400 submissions from 12 countries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The recipients of IEDC\u0026rsquo;s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,\u0026rdquo; said 2019 IEDC Board Chair, Tracye McDaniel. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re honored to recognize more than 100 communities for their excellent work, which forges new opportunities for our profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2020 awards program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Innovation Programs and Initiatives\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is an initiative launched by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta to help the City of Atlanta continue to build its tech talent pipeline and equip students interested in entrepreneurship for success.\u0026nbsp; The program subsidizes high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies.\u0026nbsp; The program also helps to retain more of Atlanta\u0026#39;s top talent in the city. More than 60 students and startups participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 2018 Annual Report, \u0026ldquo;For a Thriving Atlanta\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Annual Report\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn its \u003ca href=\"/about-us/statements-records\"\u003e2018 annual report\u003c/a\u003e, Invest Atlanta sought to convey the greater purpose of the agency, the essence of the Invest Atlanta brand, and core value propositions through stories of the residents, businesses and communities it serves. The report used an intuitive visual narrative for each audience, presented personal vignettes, and leveraged iconography and other graphic techniques so readers could easily locate specific content.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":296,"title":"Atlanta Problem-Solvers Awarded $200,000 Through Civic Impact Loan Fund","promo_title":"Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc., Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, and the Center for Civic Innovation Continue Support of Civic Problem-Solvers","published_date":"2019-09-24","featured_image":{"id":1003,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a4277.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":6790373,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:23.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:24.601-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:31.794-04:00","filename_hash":"151a4277_1O9jvNw.jpg","width":5760,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-emerging-markets-inc-spanx-by-sara-blakely-foundation-and-the-center-for-civic-innovation-continue-support-of-civic-problem-solvers","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fXNfIA","created_at":"2019-09-24T09:31:02.201-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:17.044-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest\u0026nbsp;loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud to continue supporting\u0026nbsp;civic-minded businesses and those working on the front lines to make a positive\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;on other people\u0026rsquo;s lives,\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, President of AEMI. \u0026ldquo;These outstanding entrepreneurs are not only bringing new business ideas to life, but they are also showing their commitment to creating equity in our underserved communities. I wish each of these entrepreneurs continued success and admire their dedication to making Atlanta a greater city for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 with a mission to support and empower women through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The contribution from the Sara Blakely Foundation ensured that at least $100,000 of the\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;went to women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person, not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, Founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their\u0026nbsp;impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation each contributed $100,000 to\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs. The applicants selected to receive the $200,000 in total\u0026nbsp;funding are\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners, The Showcase Group, Brown Toy Box, and SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company). All four of the entrepreneurs leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development, and coaching program for\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support, with loan servicing and back office support provided by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;problem solvers represent the greatest assets of our economy,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations.\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJenn Graham |\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;aims to help create a more inclusive world where everyone feels invited and engaged in co-creating a better future by bringing people together over food for conversations that matter.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Kennebrew | The Showcase Group\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to strengthen justice-involved youth and families through psychological and personal development services inside and out of juvenile detention centers. Showcase Group provides support to incarcerated youth and their families by implementing psychosocial services such as advocacy and family and individual therapy by trained professionals.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerri Nichelle-Bradley | Brown Toy Box\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;produces children\u0026#39;s products and exposure experiences designed to encourage and prepare black children to pursue interests and careers in STEAM.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrish Miller | SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company)\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;is a 501(c)(3) school-based program that teaches children introductory swimming lessons and water safety skills as a part of their school\u0026#39;s curriculum. The William Pleshette Company, Swem Kids\u0026#39; for-profit entity, is designing and testing a fully waterproof swimming cap to keep thick and curly hair dry in the water and address a cultural obstacle to swimming.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This contribution is really going to take The Showcase Group to the next level,\u0026rdquo; said John Kennebrew, Executive Director and Founder of The Showcase Group. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026#39;ve grown from working with two youth out of the detention center to working with one hundred youth this year. Now, we\u0026#39;re able to put a Program Director in place to manage the logistics of working with the clinical social workers, advocates, and other community members who help to strengthen the youth we work with. It\u0026rsquo;s a great relief to now have someone who can manage the day to day relationships, while I can focus on taking the organization to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its third year of operation, the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund\u0026nbsp;has provided $455,000 to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in many different\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":289,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","published_date":"2019-08-28","featured_image":{"id":988,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1827833,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.536-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.946-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.954-04:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_insight_zmEDVRZ.png","width":1200,"height":707},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-invest-atlanta-and-marta-open-ivillage-mlk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PqmpMg","created_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta provides space for small business and entrepreneurship adjacent to transit.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA announced the grand opening of the iVillage @ MLK. The project houses a mix of local entrepreneurs in innovative office space to help them launch businesses and test new ideas along the MLK Corridor. The iVillage @ MLK is the first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta and a model for future innovation spaces in the city.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAnnounced in December 2017, iVillage @ MLK houses eight small businesses that are expected to create approximately 20-25 jobs along MLK Drive. The shipping container development is designed to give small businesses the opportunity to grow and scale in an underserved community. By providing an affordable, transit-oriented office and retail option for local entrepreneurs, iVillage @ MLK aims to create a unique, equitable opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a business in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To build thriving neighborhoods, communities, and businesses throughout the city, we need to think creatively about how we utilize space and ensure it serves the needs of our neighborhoods and residents,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is a great example of partners coming together to create a place that brings opportunity and vibrancy to this community. Entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business ecosystem, and we are excited to be providing an opportunity for them to grow and become job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough this is the first project of its kind in the City of Atlanta, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities including Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new, affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is more than a new place for small businesses to locate, it is part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment and equity to key commercial corridors throughout the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Locating the iVillage @ MLK within the community and adjacent to rapid transit creates a sense of place and connectivity for residents and iVillage tenants alike. It exemplifies how we can work in partnership to create economic opportunities and places where entrepreneurs can build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eiVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort to continue investing in Westside communities, especially along the MLK Drive Corridor. In 2016, the city was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers, and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":290,"title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","promo_title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","published_date":"2019-08-27","featured_image":{"id":991,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_ceremony.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1238796,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.548-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.620-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.308-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_ceremony_ymYmOvr.png","width":1200,"height":530},"filename":"class-2-of-students2startup-recognized-by-mayor-bottoms","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kwy4MQ","created_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Students2Startups program is a great example of how the City of Atlanta is working to increase equity in our city is by equipping more younger Atlantans for success. The program is a partnership between the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, Startup Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta which places students in entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta-based startup companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNot only does it provide opportunities for experiential learning, but it also supports Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community and helps to keep young talent here in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMore than 150 students from across Atlanta applied to the program, and 20 were matched with local startups \u0026ndash; with an emphasis on students with high potential and those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the most diverse cohort yet:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOver 77 percent of participants in 2019 were people of color;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eA majority of the participating startups are led by female founders.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese high-achieving students, representing schools like Clark Atlanta, Georgia State, Spelman, and Georgia Tech, to name a few, received invaluable startup experience in areas like business development, coding, marketing, and data analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo date, over 60 students and startups have participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs year two comes to a close, Invest Atlanta is happy to announce that several students will be continuing their internship in fall and at least 1 student will be joining their company full time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the companies that participated this year:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eActivvely\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCapway\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarbice\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCompetitive Sports Analysis\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCoordinated Care\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCurricula\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEnrichHER\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFanaticusXR\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonotto\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOmode\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSkylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSmall Bites Adventure Club\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStackfolio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSwemKids\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Lola\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTry My Fab\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":284,"title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","promo_title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","published_date":"2019-08-06","featured_image":{"id":946,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"egypt_screencap_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":689650,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.201-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.279-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:53.092-04:00","filename_hash":"egypt_screencap_insight_lpm45Je.png","width":1200,"height":613},"filename":"creative-industries-loan-to-support-black-men-naked-truth-production","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7DMypg","created_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/352250178","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. Robinson created Change a Man Media to help redefine human images. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Anybody who sees the movies, books, TV shows, and articles are typically coming from someone else about us,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;What ends up happening is that there\u0026rsquo;s a whole new narrative about who we are, what we do, why we do what we do, and it doesn\u0026rsquo;t come from us.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;So I wanted to create something that when you leave, you got excited. You left and you said, \u0026ldquo;Yeah, that was awesome! That\u0026rsquo;s me, he\u0026rsquo;s talking about me.\u0026rsquo; And every one of my shows, it\u0026rsquo;s the same reaction. Brothers come up, hug me, some crying. Because they\u0026rsquo;ve never seen anything about them that wasn\u0026rsquo;t derogatory, that didn\u0026rsquo;t demean them, that didn\u0026rsquo;t make them feel emasculated. It let them feel like what they need to feel: encouraged.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will be providing a $35,000 loan for the production, post-production, and distribution to make Devin\u0026rsquo;s one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Black Men: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; into a film. This stage play portrays the unique talent of one man who portrays seven distinct characters. This stage play has had multiple sold-out shows since its inception in 2014. In 2017, Black Men: Naked Truth was invited to the National Black Theatre Festival.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With the funding from Invest Atlanta, I promoting, I use it to promote the show, to film the show, and then once the show\u0026rsquo;s filmed, we now pay for commercials to promote it because if you put it on Amazon or whoever purchases it we then promote it all across Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;And then we also use part of the funding to pitch it to different film festivals and also to the American film market to see if someone like Netflix or Amazon wants\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;to pick it up so that way we can make even more of an impact because now it\u0026rsquo;s on TV.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson has written, acted in, produced and executive produced many films. He gained his stage name \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; from his role on the hit OWN series \u0026ldquo;Love Is.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;He has received international acclaim dedication for the following projects \u0026ldquo;Black Man: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Tranquil Inferno\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;5 Steps to Get Over Your Ex.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe has dedicated himself to providing high-quality education through the medium of media started in 2006 with the birth of AIDS Awareness Poets Inc., an organization created to educate people about HIV through entertainment. From there, he created Change A Man Media LLC to create positive images of African-Americans. His professional journey has also included stops on BET, OWN, MTV, Apollo and TEDx.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson added: \u0026ldquo;That process of applying for this loan was a beautiful process because it taught me a lot about business, and I pride myself on being an entrepreneur, and not just being part of the show but the business part of show business. And I learned a lot.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think this was just a beautiful process. And nothing was overdone, there was no extra work for no apparent reason. Everything was right on point and everyone was so professional.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":282,"title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","published_date":"2019-07-22","featured_image":{"id":933,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":936521,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.561-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.693-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.578-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights_7JNJbmL.png","width":1200,"height":702},"filename":"invest-atlanta-to-develop-citys-first-economic-mobility-strategy","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sQFNNg","created_at":"2019-07-22T08:30:00.227-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u0026nbsp;Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdate:\u003c/strong\u003e The community input period is closed. We truly appreciate all the ideas and feedback from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders on this vital effort.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. The goal is to further economic development and mobility for all Atlantans by:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReviewing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s current efforts around economic mobility\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAnalyzing key factors related to access to opportunity \u0026ndash; both within Atlanta and globally\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIdentifying alignment opportunities across existing strategic frameworks\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eProviding recommendations to further Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development goals and improve economic mobility\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic mobility is the ability of an individual, family, or group to improve their economic status. In Atlanta, that starts with equity equal access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. Atlanta currently leads the nation in income inequality. There is a clear divide between wealthier, majority white communities to the north of I-20 and poorer communities to the south and west where most residents are African-American.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort. In addition, we leverage the expertise of our project partners at Bloomberg Associates, Enterprise, APD Urban Planning Management, and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe approach will be data-driven, will build on the work that has been done and create alignment rather than be duplicative, and place an emphasis on national and international best practices customized to the unique strengths and trends in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe end goal is to identify pathways and specific policy recommendations to improve economic mobility. Input from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders is vital to developing a comprehensive, inclusive strategy.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn the coming weeks and months, we will be asking your thoughts on how you would increase economic mobility in Atlanta. We look forward to hearing from you.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":277,"title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched to Support Business Growth","promo_title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched","published_date":"2019-07-08","featured_image":{"id":924,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"accelerate_southside.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":971969,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.303-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.575-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-03T08:59:16.640-04:00","filename_hash":"accelerate_southside_p5qD75V.png","width":1200,"height":570},"filename":"accelerate-southside-program-launched-to-support-business-growth","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ADQxHA","created_at":"2019-07-08T14:52:01.591-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:54:31.027-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch Accelerate Southside, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003eAccelerate Southside\u003c/a\u003e, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta would join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, and receive $100,000 in grant funding to support small businesses and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative, Accelerate Southside, will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;With an estimated 3,300 businesses that generate $3 billion in revenue and employ more than 43,000 people, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside neighborhoods are poised for new investment and business growth,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta focuses on creating and implementing programming that supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses in our communities to create a stronger citywide economy. Accelerate Southside in partnership with The Guild is one of many ways we are working to achieve this goal and facilitate entrepreneurship in more Atlanta communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAccelerate Southside is a two-part pilot program that includes an immersive business accelerator training offered by The Guild (2019 Community Wealth Building Business Accelerator) and a commercial down payment assistance program offered by Invest Atlanta. With a focus on the 30-acre Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade; redevelopment site located on the Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail, the program will support entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a shipping container to locate at the Pittsburgh Yards Shipping Container Courtyard.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;After meeting with dozens of business owners on the Southside, it became apparent that there is a pressing need to create new programs and products to address the risk of business displacement and lack of accessible capital to start and grow businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Erika Smith, Southside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Accelerate Southside will provide technical assistance to help address those needs and challenges so that these businesses have the opportunity to grow, purchase commercial property, and establish themselves in a high-demand area. Our goal is to preserve and grow businesses who have chosen to locate in the Southside.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Guild, a co-living organization that targets social entrepreneurs and changemakers, is focused on community wealth-building strategies that aim to improve the ability of communities to increase asset ownership, anchor jobs locally, and build economic resilience.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Partnering with Invest Atlanta for Accelerate Southside allows us to address issues that are key priorities for both of our organizations and critical to the success of minority-owned small businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Nikishka Iyengar, Founder \u0026amp; CEO at The Guild. \u0026ldquo;The goal is to help these businesses boost viability and sustainability, open new locations, and to build wealth in their communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nVisit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/accelerate-southside\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;for more information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":267,"title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","promo_title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","published_date":"2019-05-03","featured_image":{"id":899,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_lloyd_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":923460,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.639-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.710-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.777-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_lloyd_insight_MYWvk8a.png","width":1200,"height":467},"filename":"screen-lloyd-the-first-creative-industries-loan-fund-recipient","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"B3Srew","created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:45.890-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.740-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta-based content creation company, founded by Amy and Kristen McGrary, develops high-quality feature film and television productions. Screen Lloyd will use the loan funding to assist with the production, marketing, and distribution of the latest slate of films they have in production.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated to the art of storytelling, creating compelling and lasting content, Screen Llloyd supports a community of talented filmmakers who come together under one umbrella.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe McGrarys\u0026rsquo; visual and artistic approach to filmmaking has been enhanced by a background that includes art and set design. Through the years, both Amy and Kristen have worked on numerous mainstream film and television productions, including Terminator, Glory, Driving Miss Daisy, Ride Along, The Boss, Drumline, I\u0026rsquo;ll Fly Away, Drop Dead Diva, and Manhunt: Unabomber. Their combined experience in all areas of film production helps Screen Llloyd lend a unique voice to\u0026nbsp;the stories they tell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company currently has two films that are in distribution to MGM, and they are past recipients of an NAACP Image Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":263,"title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","promo_title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","published_date":"2019-04-22","featured_image":{"id":866,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"agtech_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1397372,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.975-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T08:55:26.893-04:00","filename_hash":"agtech_v2_r6bDkLm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"agtech-startups-selected-for-first-iotatl-living-labs-pilot","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SRbokw","created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n From cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;has chosen its first participants to develop their intelligent farming solutions in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrom cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural \u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e unearthed several intelligent farming solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine, Georgia Power, New City Properties and AGCO, launched the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge. The nationwide search was created to find technology solutions that would improve food resilience in metro Atlanta and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Tech companies are a driving force in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, and those Invest Atlanta has worked with have added 14,800 new jobs and $3.9 billion of economic impact to the city since 2016,\u0026rdquo; said President and CEO of Invest Atlanta Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Demonstration Project program helps to further expand the tech sector by allowing entrepreneurs to test and validate their technologies in an actual urban environment with support from their city. We congratulate the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge winners and look forward to supporting their continued growth in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving innovation community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;IoT.ATL is proud to champion this collaborative and impactful project to create solutions for urban food resilience. IoT.ATL aims to leverage technology for good and create sustainable communities that are equitable and inclusive,\u0026rdquo; said Metro Atlanta Chamber Director of IoT/AI/Smart Cities Ecosystem Expansion Cynthia Curry. \u0026ldquo;The living labs project is helping realize our vision, and we are incredibly thankful to our partners for their support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the local corporate, civic and startup communities, as well as AgTech subject matter experts, reviewed applications from several AgTech startups and ultimately selected five solutions to pilot along the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe winning solutions include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.hatponics.com/\"\u003eHATponics\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://www.hip-sci.com/\"\u003eHipScience\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; HATponics and Hip Science are teaming up to create a near-zero input farm facility that will function as a global model to help alleviate food deserts, enhance STEM education and provide additional revenue streams for the food desert populations. HATponics will deliver a portable wind- and solar-powered hybrid aquaponics farm. It will be outfitted with proprietary IoT programming and sensors staffed by aviation drones for daily tasks. HipScience will fully implement and control an intelligent farming system.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.growcomputer.io/\"\u003eGrow Computer\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://copiana.com/\"\u003eCopiana\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Grow Computer\u0026rsquo;s patent-pending IoT ecosystem will provide real-time controls and information about what\u0026rsquo;s happening inside the container and new ways to analyze grow data. Copiana will serve as the boots-on-the-ground agriculture experts, managing the operation and growth of the plants and produce and working to ensure the highest operational safety and efficiencies are built into the platform.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fmuscah.org\u0026amp;c=E,1,vQCyGgiMVrQvbVPjkpCpL41UoKiPGP2O97SwLSyYyEJFFtALlpG0vVboJWGvNxPPWRLVwaKD4t1_XLbSM0MafDD2bHioIx-rcCDRvH7VtnzuwKrQ-iZkdosW\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMUSCAH\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.urbansproutfarms.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,B_YbNxVIm3agMQMiHxehBMUxdPrjaSgPPZDUySFvYE2oXjknuQCPneGTvJ-U5_SVBpwkqG7cu_AXXuF9Bxq3R74i1elch7RYs6t-vCF55g,,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUrban Sprout Farms\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, and \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fyogardener.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,7_2-cT7142keiIdeFOQNpidr_qEaOgcZ60En649LAoLA1yO6sjM3esGAYGmA_MzxBFB0wYYjXjlwpmiQjJMCpF0auDHBemJlNWJap5fCGLGoaTAZdRIR4NE,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eYogardener\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e \u0026ndash; MUSCAH, Urban Sprout Farms and Yogardener have teamed up to bring a conceptual model for the Urban Sprout Farm Manager\u0026#39;s AgTech Command Center to the BeltLine for the AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;Equipped top to bottom with the most up-to-date remote sensing technology, the demo site will showcase the ways that urban farming can integrate big data analysis into enhanced food production models with efficient alternative housing and sustainable environmental design focused on community development.\u0026nbsp;Incorporating a triple bottom line perspective emphasizing People, Planet and Profit, the team is working to disrupt the urban farming, alternative housing and environmentally conscious community development from the ground up.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.wundergrubs.com/\"\u003eWUNDERGrubs\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; This local healthy snack startup will use an insect farm model incorporating IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. This will then be manufactured into food products that are healthy and tasty, plus pack a nutritional punch.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.ponixfarms.com/\"\u003ePonix\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Ponix is focused on reclassifying food as a utility \u0026ndash; much like water or electricity \u0026ndash; by developing solutions for end-to-end local food ecosystems. Ponix will demo its solution for local and transparent food production in \u003ca href=\"http://www.farmboxfoods.com/\"\u003eFarmbox Foods\u0026rsquo;\u003c/a\u003e 40 feet controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm. The farm will grow produce year-round, be controlled and monitored from a web or mobile device through the PonixOS and set a new standard for the way food is produced and distributed in cities.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese startups will implement their innovative solutions in shipping containers along the Atlanta BeltLine to pilot their AgTech technologies and identify scalable solutions to sustainable urban agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to demonstrate cutting-edge agriculture technologies on the Atlanta BeltLine,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to working with our partners and leveraging the Atlanta BeltLine as a conduit that unites innovators to collaborate on future projects, like this one, making Atlanta a more resilient city for everyone.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta BeltLine, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":260,"title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-04-09","featured_image":{"id":856,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"whitty_it_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":779749,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.316-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.457-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:46.003-04:00","filename_hash":"whitty_it_insight_RJBogmm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"whitty-it-solutions-growing-with-help-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uU4u4Q","created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:48.126-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:45.966-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/324228854","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Charlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCharlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitty IT Solutions is an IT and professional services company. They provide project management, program management, data analytics, heatlh care IT, FinTech, and cybersecurity solutions.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been awesome,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;re talking about mentoring, not just funding, but guidance. Invest Atlanta provides access to capital, which is something small businesses don\u0026rsquo;t always have. When you paint the picture of where you are, and let them know where you want to be, they can help you get there.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield has grown her IT business from a sole proprietorship to a thriving company with 16 employees, and offices in Atlanta as well as Alabama, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team has worked closely with her during this time.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The partnering with Invest Atlanta has allowed us this opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Whitfield.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield began her business in Atlanta, which described as a thriving \u0026ldquo;tech hub.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This is the best city for tech,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s affordable, number one. We have a great university system and it\u0026rsquo;s cultivating wonderful tech people. And this small business is right here. We don\u0026rsquo;t need to go anywhere else. The City of Atlanta is very open to doing business with women, minorities, and veterans.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":254,"title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","promo_title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","published_date":"2019-03-18","featured_image":{"id":836,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"campbellton_rd_volunteer.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1722525,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.447-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.855-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:26:22.065-04:00","filename_hash":"campbellton_rd_volunteer_MYML35o.png","width":1200,"height":693},"filename":"campbellton-road-small-business-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"U1l27Q","created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:59.212-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:25:36.640-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road. Applicants had to own or operate a business located on Campbellton Road, earn $200,000 or less in gross annual revenue, and have been in continuous operation since November 1, 2017 to be eligible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe three recipients of renovation funding were Senegambia Restaurant, Hot Chixx Wings ATL, and Getting Ahead Barbershop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Wednesday, March 13, volunteers from the partner organizations volunteered their time to do the painting work that was part of the renovations at \u003ca href=\"https://www.senegambiarestaurant.com/\"\u003eSenegambia Restaurant\u003c/a\u003e, which serves a variety of West African, Caribbean and American cuisine. Besides new interior painting, the restaurant received new commercial grade cooking equipment, bathroom upgrades, and walk-in cooler repair.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Hair-Salon/Getting-A-Head-BarberShop-1535606126661773/\"\u003eGetting Ahead Barbershop\u003c/a\u003e has been able to purchase new barber chairs, dryer/chair combos, fans, and ceiling tiles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just my business, it belongs to the people and the Atlanta community,\u0026rdquo; said owner Paul Lockhart. \u0026ldquo;They deserve something nice. Our mission statement is serving and preserving the community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe walk-in cooler and freezer outdoor units were replaced at \u003ca href=\"http://www.hottchixxwings.com/\"\u003eHot Chixx Wings ATL\u003c/a\u003e, allowing them to expand their menu. They also had their indoor cooling units serviced, chairs repairs, and new paint applied to the interior walls.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love Campbellton Road for giving my family this chance to realize our passion \u0026ndash; food,\u0026rdquo; said Fostoria Dumas. \u0026ldquo;The menu has mostly fast food options, but we are planning to add a few healthier choices, once our cooler/freezer are repaired.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":246,"title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","promo_title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","published_date":"2019-02-19","featured_image":{"id":826,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_group_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1148061,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.865-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.981-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.585-05:00","filename_hash":"s2s_group_v1_gvkggO2.png","width":1100,"height":491},"filename":"year-2-of-students2startups-kicks-off","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"naArTA","created_at":"2019-02-19T08:57:05.581-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.551-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n After a successful pilot, the Students2Startups program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter a successful pilot, the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startup\u003c/a\u003es program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019. An initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and WorkSource Atlanta, Students2Startups focuses on connecting talented students with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to expand their business. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning. Students2Startups was piloted in 2018 to address these opportunities through entrepreneurial-focused student internships with Atlanta-based startups. In its first year, the program hosted 14 students comprised of 50 percent women and 86 percent people of color.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is a strong example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s commitment to equip the next generation for success,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This mentorship program opens doors, closes opportunity gaps and enhances the innovative talent that will soon enter the workforce. We are proud of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s many startup success stories and we are excited to help more talented young students become successful entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will manage the program and pair 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups for paid, full-time, technology-focused summer internships and ongoing professional development opportunities. WorkSource Atlanta has partnered with Invest Atlanta to subsidize selected students. Participating startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various technology-related careers. During the first year, interns were able to learn about and assist with projects focused on operations, research, data development, app improvement, marketing, social media, and customer discovery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a hotbed of startup activity underpinned by 65 corporate innovation centers, incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces in the city and metro area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Building on the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s pilot, Students2Startups is another way to foster a rich, diverse talent pipeline to support our thriving startup ecosystem for years to come. We look forward to continued partnership with the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta and the startup community as we welcome new students to the program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta startup ecosystem is very much \u0026lsquo;on the map\u0026rsquo; for me after this experience,\u0026rdquo; said Nydrel Jack, who was an intern with NFANT Labs. More than 50 percent of participants are planning to stay in Atlanta after college because they know more about the opportunities that the city has to offer.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSixty-four percent of participants remained with their startups beyond the program as an intern or volunteer, and two interns were hired as full-time employees as a result of the program. \u0026ldquo;Students2Startups was exactly what I needed to help move the needle and I couldn\u0026rsquo;t have asked for a better intern,\u0026rdquo; said Terri-Nichelle Bradley, CEO \u0026amp; Founder of Brown Toy Box. \u0026ldquo;The program will one day be a big part of my startup story. I am so unspeakably grateful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Kimberlyn Daniel, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026nbsp; In addition, supporting a program such as this is very timely as Atlanta was just named the top U.S. city for startups outside of San Francisco and New York City.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a lunch-and-learn series to help students build more connections with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified students from Atlanta universities are encouraged to apply. Applications for students and interested startups are open now until March 15. For more information, visit \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":243,"title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","promo_title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","published_date":"2019-01-25","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-new-resource-to-support-small-businesses-and-startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qR68Pw","created_at":"2019-01-25T09:49:57.084-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-25T10:23:19.089-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startups.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board recently approved a resolution to create a new resource, the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund. This new pilot program will support small businesses and startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We wanted to figure out what we can do to continue to cultivate the small business and startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President \u0026amp; CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Forward Loan fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startup companies located within accelerators, incubators, and other programs that provide capacity building in the City of Atlanta. Loan size will range from $5,000 to $20,000,\u0026nbsp;and between 10 to 20 small business will receive financing. Funding for the new pilot program will be reprogrammed from the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Loan Fund and managed by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With initiatives like the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund, we will continue to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a top-ranked city for small business owners and entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Bottoms and Invest Atlanta are committed to supporting the nearly 20,000 small businesses that choose to call Atlanta home. The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund joins the list of several other small business resources that Invest Atlanta offers including \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eloan programs\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/business-assistance\"\u003ebusiness assistance\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLInBusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":234,"title":"Emory Proton Therapy Center Opens in Midtown","promo_title":"Emory Proton Therapy Center Opens in Midtown","published_date":"2018-12-10","featured_image":{"id":774,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"ribbom_full03_1544457569_.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpg","resource_file_size":135823,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:29.609-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:29.638-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-10T11:02:42.238-05:00","filename_hash":"ribbom_full03_1544457569__mpgD1LR.jpg","width":1024,"height":486},"filename":"emory-proton-therapy-center-opens-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GzlI7A","created_at":"2018-12-10T10:56:39.593-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:38.817-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Emory Proton Therapy Center will create 128 jobs, a projected $500 million economic impact, and treat nearly 35,000 patients over the next 20 years.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Winship Cancer Institute held the grand opening of the Emory Proton Therapy Center on December 6 in Midtown. More than 150 special guests were in attendance to witness the ribbon cutting for this cutting-edge facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Emory Proton Therapy Center is approximately 170,000 square feet with three levels housing a cyclotron, treatment rooms, examinations rooms, and administrative space. The new facility will treat nearly 35,000 patients over the next 20 years and will further solidify the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProton therapy is a highly advanced form of radiation therapy that can provide cancer patients with fewer side effects and complications and an increased likelihood of superior outcomes in comparison to surgery, chemotherapy, and other conventional radiation therapy options. The first patient was treated at the Center on December 4.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board unanimously supported the Center by agreeing to issue up to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s debt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The support we received from Invest Atlanta, Dr. Klementich, Alan Ferguson, and their executive and senior leadership was absolutely tremendous,\u0026rdquo; said Steve Hicks, President \u0026amp; CEO of Provident Resources Group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center is a part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district and will bring 128 permanent medical jobs and a projected $500 million economic impact to Midtown. It is the first facility of its kind in Georgia and one of 25 in the United States.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe closest facility offering similar treatment was in Jacksonville, FL. Now, the Emory Proton Therapy Center is a more accessible option for local patients looking to receive advanced treatments for brain, spine, breast, and other types of cancer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the City of Atlanta and the Invest Atlanta team, we are excited to have been a part of the economic impact that this will have on our city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;But most importantly, we are excited to be a part of saving lives. We look forward to celebrating life, and longer lives, in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":233,"title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","promo_title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","published_date":"2018-12-07","featured_image":{"id":771,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"downtown_skyline.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1214052,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:05.824-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:06.068-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.418-05:00","filename_hash":"downtown_skyline_eXJVpoj.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"assetmark-brings-operations-hub-to-downtown-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YldbDw","created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n AssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to welcome AssetMark to its new home in downtown Atlanta as they target their solutions to the country\u0026rsquo;s more than 300,000 independent financial advisors,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Our city\u0026rsquo;s abundance of tech talent, strong business climate, educational institutions, and \u0026nbsp;financial services ecosystem continue to attract industry leaders like AssetMark. This announcement once again demonstrates Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ability to bring top-tier financial technology companies to the heart of the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the center of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business district, the new office is in an area designated by the federal Opportunity Zones Program, which is designed to stimulate economic development through tax incentives for organizations investing in the community. The opening of AssetMark\u0026rsquo;s new office location will also create 13 new high-wage jobs in Fulton County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our excitement about this new office is twofold,\u0026rdquo; said Charles Goldman, President and CEO of AssetMark. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is a strategic investment in future AssetMark technology initiatives, and we are proud to play a part in the creation of economic opportunity in an Opportunity Zone in Georgia.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has one of the country\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing economies, and is becoming a hub of IT talent due to the city\u0026rsquo;s combination of affordable housing opportunities, local universities, and a growing community of FinTech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e101 Marietta Street features state-of-the-art amenities, including a fitness center and renovated meeting spaces. The building is close to two MARTA rail stations, providing optimal accessibility to Metro Atlanta, and is located within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Aquarium, and CNN Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":231,"title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","promo_title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","published_date":"2018-11-26","featured_image":{"id":748,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart_corridor_award_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":973628,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.658-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.788-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.889-05:00","filename_hash":"smart_corridor_award_insight_vl8ppZO.png","width":1256,"height":640},"filename":"bringing-home-best-practices-and-award-at-smart-cities-expo-and-world-congress","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TwWFOw","created_at":"2018-11-26T13:21:49.170-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.858-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the \u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November. While there, Noelle London was able to learn best practices from other cities on how best to implement smart cities solutions, shed light on 5 Atlanta-based startups to connect them with global opportunities, and develop partnerships and collaboration with regional partners also working on smart cities programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe joined a Georgia delegation consisting of partners from the Metro Atlanta Chamber, City of Atlanta including the Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company and Georgia Power, Georgia Economic Development, and others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Conference, \u003ca href=\"http://www.360ns.net/\"\u003e360NS\u003c/a\u003e, Atlanta-based mobility startup, received the highest \u003ca href=\"https://www.news.gatech.edu/2018/11/16/north-ave-smart-corridor-project-honored\"\u003eInternational Mobility Award\u003c/a\u003e for their work with the North Avenue Corridor testbed for innovative technology. Invest Atlanta continues to support the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor\"\u003eNorth Avenue Corridor\u003c/a\u003e through facilitating pilots with Mobility Insights and providing other smart tech opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This corridor is becoming the most connected one in the state of Georgia, serving as a living lab for active, multi-modal traffic management through technology deployment and data analytics,\u0026quot; the award announcement stated. \u0026quot;Smart technology solutions applied here are improving roadway and public safety, mobility and the environment.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;participated in a panel discussion at the USA Pavilion on our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched\"\u003eAgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e project that is a part of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program. The IA team was joined on the panel by representatives from the City of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the speaking engagement allowed IA to highlight Atlanta\u0026#39;s strength in implementation through the use of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":227,"title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2018-11-07","featured_image":{"id":741,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"switch_modern_1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":744745,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.677-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.716-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-20T10:02:27.981-05:00","filename_hash":"switch_modern_1_lpJkZg1.png","width":1000,"height":464},"filename":"switch-modern-thriving-in-west-midtown-with-an-assist-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h-YiKA","created_at":"2018-11-07T12:47:48.749-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:51:35.451-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Switch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta for a small business loan at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRoy Otwell and Doug Henderson, the co-owners of the modern home furnishings seller Switch Modern, launched their business when they had already established successful careers. (The \u0026ldquo;Switch\u0026rdquo; in their company name is a reference to their career changes.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We were already middle-aged,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell, \u0026ldquo;and decided to make a change for all things design.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the two work together to sell luxury home furniture, upholstery, lighting, and accessories. They have a showroom in West Midtown and do a good deal of business online at their site, \u003ca href=\"https://www.switchmodern.com/\"\u003eswitchmodern.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe business is thriving, in large part because Otwell and Henderson work so well together.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The beauty of the partnership is that there\u0026rsquo;s always somebody else who has an opinion that you can rely upon, who can fill in for you, has knowledge that is better than yours,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey originally opened the business in 2002 as a single-brand showroom featuring products form Italian company Polyform. They have since expanded out to feature more than 80 brands, with clients from across the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Doug likes to say we sell everything from the front door to the back door, except the front door and the back door,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA big part of the value proposition they offer is the curation of products with timeless designs, some of which date back 120 years. In addition, they provide top-notch, personalized service to all their clients. This has created a good a strong reserve of customer loyalty over the years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What we try to do is make that process as easy and pain-free for customers as possible so they can have fun doing it,\u0026rdquo; Henderson said of the Switch modern sales experience. \u0026ldquo;And then let us take care of the difficult work behind the scenes the customer never needs to know about.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That was coming out of the Recession, no banks lending anything,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;We needed to do what we could to piece together the right financial package and certainly Invest Atlanta was one of those. They had a nice little package for this side of town, specifically the zone that we were in, that made it possible for us to have access to some funds.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company secured a loan that helped them move into their\u0026nbsp;expanded 25,000 square-foot showroom in West Midtown. The two had what they described as a \u0026ldquo;wonderful\u0026rdquo; experience working closely with IA\u0026rsquo;s Lonnie Saboor and Cynthia Freeman to secure the loan through one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they approach two decades of being in business, Otwell and Henderson have no regrets, though they do have some advice to offer those thinking of jumping into entrepreneurship.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a wonderful, terrible thing,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;You work harder, you work longer, you never not work. But at the same time, you have the gratification of seeing some fruits of your labor. You get to see directly what works and while you\u0026rsquo;re responsible, you get to bathe in the glory and get the satisfaction.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":223,"title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","promo_title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","published_date":"2018-10-16","featured_image":{"id":726,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"salesforce_tower_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":843584,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:57.957-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:58.062-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.523-04:00","filename_hash":"salesforce_tower_insight_wjNDKE8.png","width":1183,"height":538},"filename":"salesforce-bringing-600-jobs-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sgVc9A","created_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:10.044-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.492-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Salesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta. The company will grow its footprint to seven floors in its existing building, The Atlanta Plaza, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce joins other market-leading global brands that have recently announced plans to grow their operations in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be a top choice for companies looking for a talented workforce, quality-of-life, and a welcoming and inclusive business community. The Salesforce cloud will be an exciting addition to our ever-evolving skyline.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce , the global leader in CRM, announced Salesforce Tower Atlanta, significantly expanding the company\u0026rsquo;s regional headquarters in Atlanta. As part of the expansion, Salesforce plans to add 600 new jobs locally, over the next five years, helping fuel the city\u0026rsquo;s economic development. The company will grow its footprint in The Atlanta Plaza in Buckhead, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta. Salesforce employees will start moving into the newly renovated floors beginning in 2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce Tower Atlanta joins the ranks of other Salesforce regional headquarters, including Salesforce Tower New York, Salesforce Tower Indianapolis, Salesforce Tower London, and the company\u0026rsquo;s worldwide headquarters, Salesforce Tower San Francisco.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Top global tech firms like Salesforce are choosing Atlanta to access our highly skilled workforce, advanced technology infrastructure and academic institutions,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;A majority of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent new business activity has been in technology and related industry sectors, which has created more than 2,300 new technology-focused jobs so far this year. We are proud to have Salesforce plant deeper roots in Atlanta and look forward to working closely with the company as they continue to grow here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce has been named one of Fortune\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work for the past 10 years and was recently ranked one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Salesforce Tower Atlanta will be a hub for world-class, diverse talent, enabling the company to deliver new innovations to its more than 150,000 customers around the world. Salesforce has nearly 600 employees in the Atlanta area and more than 32,000 employees worldwide. Atlanta is home to many Salesforce customers including Coca-Cola, InterContinental Hotels Group, SunTrust and Kabbage.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce continues to reach new heights and we\u0026rsquo;re thrilled to further our commitment to the city of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Elizabeth Pinkham, EVP, Real Estate, Salesforce. \u0026ldquo;Salesforce Tower Atlanta provides a one-of-a-kind workspace where all of our employees can do the best work of their lives while supporting the community by giving back.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":220,"title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","promo_title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","published_date":"2018-10-04","featured_image":{"id":722,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"beltline_urban_farm_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":734194,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.455-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.826-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.720-04:00","filename_hash":"beltline_urban_farm_insight_NnLm8l3.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ix3iEQ","created_at":"2018-10-01T15:02:54.466-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.690-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power, launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power,\u0026nbsp;launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the \u003ca href=\"http://www.iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo improve food resilience at home and abroad, the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge will select six solutions to tackle this issue via IoT. Startups are encouraged to collaborate to provide one complete and innovative AgTech solution. The selected startups will get access to a 20-foot shipping container along the Atlanta Beltline to pilot their AgTech over the course of 12-months as part of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project provides startups with opportunities for proof of concept, which can be helpful in a critical stage of a startup\u0026#39;s life cycle,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026quot;Engaging the next generation of agricultural technology startups in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge gives entrepreneurs the chance to test and validate their technologies over 12 months in a real-life urban setting. Our partnerships with entrepreneurs have the potential to not only improve our city\u0026#39;s health, environment, and economy, but also to change the world.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom seed production to farming to food processing, agriculture technology (AgTech) is fast-becoming an answer to growing global food shortages. By 2050 the projected food demand will increase anywhere between 59 to 98 percent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Metro Atlanta Chamber and City of Atlanta are developing partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure the fresh produce grown in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge pilot is received by those needing it the most.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;As Atlanta goes through tremendous growth, we want equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do,\u0026quot; said Cynthia Curry, Director of IoT for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. \u0026quot;The goal of the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge is to unearth new, viable food resilience solutions for our city and other cities as they scale.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuluth-based agricultural equipment manufacturer, AGCO will provide the shipping containers, and through their Fuse smart farming platform, AGCO will we collaborate and exchange ideas with AgTech startups.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Now more than ever, it is critical that we develop an accessible, equitable, and resilient local food system for One Atlanta,\u0026quot; said Amol Naik, City of Atlanta Chief Resilience Officer. \u0026quot;We are excited that AgTech has been selected as the first challenge of the Living Labs program and look forward to seeing how innovation and technology will maximize the efficacy of urban agriculture - all while raising awareness of these critical issues on the Atlanta Beltline.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta Beltline, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community during the pilot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications are open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge and will remain open until November 2. Interested candidates residing outside of Atlanta are encouraged to \u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWZ95QZ\"\u003eapply here\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":222,"title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","promo_title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","published_date":"2018-10-02","featured_image":{"id":724,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"startup_exchange_logo_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":625571,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.576-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.704-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.486-04:00","filename_hash":"startup_exchange_logo_insight_RJL6eZw.png","width":1000,"height":412},"filename":"atlanta-international-startup-exchange-connects-businesses-with-new-global-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-D-Z9Q","created_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:31.027-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.456-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the 2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e. The one-week international residency will provide Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in France. Four Toulouse-based companies will also travel to Atlanta as part of the program.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides businesses in Atlanta with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve sustainable growth,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;It is important to build and maintain productive relationships with our growing international community as the City continues to attract new residents and investments from around the globe.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRepresentatives from ThingTech, Loupe LLC, TC Poly, and Blind Tiger Communications traveled Toulouse on September 30, 2018 through October 7 during the EmTech Conference. During the week, the startups will meet with French entrepreneurs, European decision makers, investors, and executives in their respective sectors.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;In today\u0026rsquo;s global economy, it is vital for startups to gain early access to international markets,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In fact, companies exporting beyond our borders grow 20 percent faster and are less likely to go out of business. Through the International Startup Exchange, the City of Atlanta is giving our startups the chance to tap into new customers and funding opportunities. Atlanta is a global city, and part of that means hosting international startups, so they can see all of our city\u0026rsquo;s assets as they look to grow and expand.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFour Toulouse-based startups, Geotrend, VUF, Pixstart, and VYFE, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta from October 15-19, 2018. The visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients. Atlanta and Toulouse partnered for the exchange based on the strength of their existing relationships and shared growing industries.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Sister cities Toulouse and Atlanta are ideal partners in this startup exchange. Toulouse is the home of Airbus, and Atlanta has the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest airport. Atlanta is rich in Fortune 500 companies, and Toulouse has world-renowned research institutions. It is our pleasure to welcome the Toulouse startups each year and watch them expand their global reach using the connections they make while here,\u0026rdquo; said Louis de Corail, French Consul General in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016 during the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Atlanta-Toulouse sister city relationship. The program expanded to the United Kingdom when it returned for a second year in October 2017.\u0026nbsp; Last year, the Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded the Sister Cities International 2017 Economic Development Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":211,"title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2018-08-15","featured_image":{"id":696,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":731925,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:58.900-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:59.160-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:35.878-04:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_2_zm4Pa9X.jpg","width":5409,"height":3606},"filename":"innovative-partnership-awards-200000-to-four-atlanta-civic-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PEwetA","created_at":"2018-08-15T10:15:26.635-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:22.032-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, an effort created in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage civic entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community impact in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With these investments, we\u0026rsquo;re supporting Atlanta entrepreneurs working on the front lines, each and every day, to make a positive impact on other peoples\u0026rsquo; lives and improve the overall equity, health, and inclusivity of our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and a member of the AEMI board. \u0026ldquo;The innovative solutions and commitment these female entrepreneurs bring to their efforts will create new jobs and balanced economic growth in their communities. I am proud that the City of Atlanta continues to stand at the forefront of supporting early-stage social impact businesses and look forward to working with the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and the Center for Civic Innovation to grow this program well into the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person\u0026hellip;not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach organization contributed $100,000 to fund early-stage civic entrepreneurs. In July 2018, four applicants were selected to receive the $200,000 in total funding: ChopArt, Dashboard US, The Dharma Project, and re:imagine/ATL. All four of the women leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s Civic Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development and coaching program for civic entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 to empower women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The Civic Impact Loan Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These women represent the greatest assets of our economy\u0026mdash;our civic problem solvers,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations. Civic Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalika Whitley | ChopArt\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eworks to extend dignity, community, and opportunity to youth experiencing homelessness through multidisciplinary arts immersion and mentorship. This investment will allow ChopArt to formalize its service offerings and increase their internal capacity, which will allow them to expand their client base to shelters across the region and country.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeth Malone | Dashboard US\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;specializes in artist-led projects that use human-centered design to re-imagine the way we all experience our environments, improve livability, and preserve culture in our communities. Dashboard works in neighborhoods and communities with high amounts of distressed property and their projects bring these buildings and spaces to life.\u0026nbsp; The organization aims to create 100 new part-time jobs for community members and 10 permanent jobs every year over the next three years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRutu Chaudhari | The Dharma Project\u003c/strong\u003e provides mindfulness and yoga classes to those working in professions that face high levels of trauma and stress, such as police officers, first responders, and teachers. The loan will allow them to increase revenue and expand services into more schools, police precincts, and communities in Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusanna Spiccia |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ere\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eimagine\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;/ATL\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to empower the next generation of storytellers through film and digital media production by training students and connecting them directly to professionals in the industry. The business plans to use the funding to grow and scale their programs to reach more students and expand into new cities across the United States.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its second year of operation, the Civic Impact Loan Fund has provided funding to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in a diverse set of impact areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education. Last year, Civic Impact Loan Fund loans were awarded to 2016 Civic Innovation Fellows honorCode and Marddy\u0026rsquo;s and 2017 Food Innovation Fellow (in partnership with Food Well Alliance) Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden. The success of the first class in creating strong community impact demonstrated proof of concept for the fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":210,"title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","promo_title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","published_date":"2018-08-06","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"flatironcity-atlantas-future-within-a-historic-landmark","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oViQ0A","created_at":"2018-08-06T13:51:20.345-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-09T11:04:07.762-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team recently visited\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta team recently visited \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSonia Sequeira, FlatironCity\u0026rsquo;s Community Manager, was kind enough to show us around, tell us more about the building\u0026rsquo;s history, and share their vision of supporting entrepreneurs in the heart of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The developer envisioned transforming the building as a destination for start-ups, small business and enterprise companies creating an urban business community leveraging each other\u0026rsquo;s work culture, with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s partnership,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;A big part of that is: how do you get more entrepreneurs Downtown? How can you bring more innovation here? And then, how does that result in more development in this whole area?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a\u0026nbsp; Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120-year-old Flatiron Building opened in 1897\u0026mdash;five years before the one in New York\u0026mdash;and is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest standing skyscraper. The whole building was gutted, renovated, and reopened about two years ago as a \u0026ldquo;melting pot\u0026rdquo; for entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of the vision of the building is that companies will grow from the co-working floor to take a bigger space within it,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026ldquo;You have an entrepreneur who\u0026rsquo;s just starting out, and as they\u0026rsquo;re growing, they can grow within the building rather than continually changing their address.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.volantio.com/\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e is a company that has grown quickly within the walls of FlatironCity. The company helps airlines better utilize their capacity, providing value for both their clients and airline passengers. They started with just three people working in a single office suite and have since grown to take up a floor of the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther FlatironCity tenants include the creative digital agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.launchagency.com/\"\u003eLaunch\u003c/a\u003e, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWEI\u003c/a\u003e), Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eACE\u003c/a\u003e), an industrial design company, and a culinary tour operator.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building\u0026rsquo;s design contains call-backs to its history, as well as flourishes such as a caf\u0026eacute; lined with work from local artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;One of our goals is to connect entrepreneurs in our space through their interests outside of work as well, so we\u0026rsquo;ve hosted live music, the Peachfest\u0026nbsp;food festival downtown, and coffee tastings\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRight outside the building along the new Broad Street boardwalk plaza, a \u0026ldquo;smart city canvas,\u0026rdquo; in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is being tested out. This testing ground gives IoT tech startups the opportunity to demonstrate their products in a real-world environment. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/single-post/2018/04/19/bedowntown-Introducing-Soofa-the-new-tech-on-Broad-Street\"\u003eSoofa\u003c/a\u003e has installed solar-powered benches where passersby can charge their wireless devices.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s no surprise that FlatironCity was awarded the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year\"\u003e2017 Project of the Year\u003c/a\u003e by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":209,"title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","promo_title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","published_date":"2018-08-03","featured_image":{"id":687,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dragon_army.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":829884,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.305-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.368-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.730-04:00","filename_hash":"dragon_army_lpkjrDP.png","width":1000,"height":517},"filename":"the-willoughby-opensdoors-dragon-army-and-dagger","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CghV0Q","created_at":"2018-08-03T11:16:25.721-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.685-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward. Invest Atlanta was invited on a quick tour of the new building\u0026nbsp;with our economic development partners from the State of Georgia and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta assisted the companies with their launch strategy, helped them get more involved with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup community, and pointed them towards the critical business resources in Atlanta that will be crucial as they manage important client relationships.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.dragonarmy.com/\"\u003eDragon Army\u003c/a\u003e focuses on web, mobile, and innovation, and its client roster includes\u0026nbsp;Coca-Cola, HoneyBaked Ham, Turner and United Way, to name a few. Many of the company\u0026#39;s nearly 50 employees are graduates of local colleges and universities. (And FYI, they\u0026#39;re currently\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://dragonarmy.com/jobs/\"\u003ehiring\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;as they plan to create 200+ jobs in Atlanta!)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on innovation and emerging technologies, so mobile, AR, VR, AI, chat/voice and wearables are all key areas where we play,\u0026rdquo; said Director of Corporate Communications Jessica Carruth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company has moved multiple times in a short period, from the Atlanta Tech Village to a Midtown office to a floor they rented from Georgia State University. Now they plan to quickly grow into their new space in the\u0026nbsp;Willoughby building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For those folks who have been here since the start, which is about 5 years ago, we\u0026rsquo;ve never fully settled in a place that felt truly ours,\u0026rdquo; said Jenn Leahy, SVP of Business Development and Client Partnerships at Dragon Army. Leahy added that after an extensive search for the right new home, they\u0026#39;d finally \u0026ldquo;hit it all\u0026rdquo; with The Willoughby.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTheir agency neighbor at the new development, the content strategy agency \u003ca href=\"http://dagger.agency/\"\u003eDagger\u003c/a\u003e, concentrates on content creation, video production, and in-depth analytics research. They have 40+ employees and serve a diverse roster of clients that includes NCR, AFLAC, and Sweetwater Brewery. Both Dragon Army and Dagger have worked with IHG, and the American Cancer Society.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Willoughby is located within walking distance of the Atlanta BeltLine. The brand-new development offers \u003ca href=\"https://atlanta.curbed.com/atlanta-development/2018/7/19/17590706/beltline-first-office-building-the-willoughby-dagger\"\u003e60,000 square feet of space\u003c/a\u003e, a caf\u0026eacute;, and a communal rooftop that looks out over the Downtown and Midtown Atlanta skylines. Though the development is new, the designers made sure to use reclaimed materials throughout, including recycled lighting fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second floor is currently vacant, with Dragon Army and Dagger planning to move into the available space once they expand. However, they\u0026rsquo;re currently putting it to good use by leasing the space to \u003ca href=\"https://48in48.org/atlanta/\"\u003e48in48\u003c/a\u003e, a nonprofit that builds 48 websites for 48 nonprofits during a 48-hour hackathon style event. Over the course of 48 hours, volunteers build fully functioning sites for nonprofits that bring to life the mission of each organization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The best part is the big reveal when all the nonprofits come in, and we say, \u0026lsquo;Here\u0026rsquo;s your new website!\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said Carruth. \u0026ldquo;People go crazy. It\u0026rsquo;s very rewarding.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStay tuned for information about their upcoming launch event in late August!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":208,"title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","published_date":"2018-08-01","featured_image":{"id":684,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":806651,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.244-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.287-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:56.868-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4_mp4DNP4.png","width":1000,"height":475},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-selected-for-city-accelerator-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ONcszg","created_at":"2018-08-01T09:37:54.679-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:25.629-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today. Atlanta will join four other cities in this latest City Accelerator cohort \u0026ndash; El Paso, Long Beach, Newark and Rochester \u0026ndash; who will work together over the next year to pursue a range of projects that support the growth of local minority-owned businesses and the creation of additional jobs in each community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Creating innovative ways to build opportunity and equity through job growth, business incubation and workforce training is a priority for our Administration and our city,\u0026quot; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026quot;Our vision for One Atlanta includes a city where neighborhoods, communities and businesses thrive. We look forward to working with the Citi Foundation and Living Cities through the City Accelerator to realize that goal.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City Accelerator program includes a $100,000 grant to each cohort city to support local business and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative will fund a program providing access to affordable real estate and technical assistance to economically underserved businesses in Southwest Atlanta. The initiative will be launched at Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade;, a 30-acre, mixed-use site under development in Southwest Atlanta. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, will lead the project in partnership with One Atlanta: The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Innovation and Performance and local community Partner, The Annie E. Casey Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Annie E. Casey Foundation\u0026rsquo;s focus in redeveloping Pittsburgh Yards has always been on providing more equitable opportunities for residents in Southwest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Kweku Forstall, Director of the Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Civic Site. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited that this funding has been secured and hopeful that it will seed meaningful activity for entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Annie E. Casey Foundation serves as the primary developer of Pittsburgh Yards as well as an impact investor in social service, workforce development, and financial programs for the Pittsburgh community. Through this strategic partnership, they will provide additional visionary support to redevelop Pittsburgh Yards into a commercial, industrial, and retail site on the Atlanta Beltline. Additionally, several commercial spaces at Pittsburgh Yards will be reserved for purchase by small business owners who are selected to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To achieve and sustain equitable growth, we need to ensure that businesses across the city have access to the resources and assistance they need to compete in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing economy,\u0026rdquo; continued Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The real estate development program at Pittsburgh Yards will be a catalytic project to spur economic activity in Southwest Atlanta communities by creating new opportunities for area business owners and emerging enterprises.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth. In addition to providing access to affordable commercial space at Pittsburgh Yards, the project team will offer technical assistance to help sole proprietorships increase business value by expanding hiring opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll five cities selected for this Accelerator program are considered majority-minority communities based on socio-economic makeup, where more than 50 percent of a city\u0026rsquo;s population represents social, ethnic and/or racial minorities. This classification is primary for urban centers to address the barriers minority-owned businesses face, including access to capital, connections to industries, and navigating regulations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Cities can have a disproportionately positive impact on local entrepreneurial ecosystems and the creation of good jobs\u0026rdquo;, said Living Cities President and CEO Ben Hecht. \u0026ldquo;The cities in this latest initiative will be showing how they can harness all of their assets to support and grow businesses owned by the nation\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing populations\u0026mdash;people of color\u0026mdash;and help to close racial gaps in wealth and income in their own backyards.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a $100,000 grant, each city will receive a combination of coaching, technical assistance and implementation resources in the coming year. Technical assistance for the effort will be provided by Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of Ascendant Global, an economic development consulting firm. Miller has previously served as the President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the New Orleans Business Alliance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s project, visit the City Accelerator website \u003ca href=\"http://www.governing.com/cityaccelerator/videos/Atlanta-Making-Commercial-Real-Estate-Affordable-for-Minority-Owned-Businesses.html\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and follow #CityAccelerator on Twitter.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":207,"title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","promo_title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","published_date":"2018-07-09","featured_image":{"id":674,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":718856,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.103-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.152-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.315-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1_kbExBP5.png","width":1000,"height":555},"filename":"first-group-of-students2startups-participants-praise-the-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BkrWtw","created_at":"2018-07-13T13:23:09.854-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.279-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first cohort of Students2Startups companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first cohort of \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startups\u003c/a\u003e companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants gathered together on Wednesday, July 11 at the SalesLoft offices in Midtown to learn about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem from Aly Merritt, Chief of Staff at Sales Loft, Holly Beilin Editor-in-Chief at Hypepotamus, and Noelle London, Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe lunch and learn was part of the larger Students2Startups initiative, a joint effort by Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta to develop a tech talent pipeline by subsidizing Atlanta-based students to complete entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta startups. The program also to supports growing startups with funding for some of their immediate tech talent needs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJasmine Crowe is the CEO and Founder of \u003ca href=\"https://goodr.co/\"\u003eGoodr\u003c/a\u003e, a sustainable surplus food management company that uses technology to combat hunger and food waste. The company has diverted nearly 1 million pounds of food waste from our landfills to those suffering from hunger and food insecurity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCrowe spoke highly of intern Zebedee \u0026ldquo;Zeb\u0026rdquo; McLaurin, who is currently studying at Morehouse College, and the great work he\u0026rsquo;s been doing this summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think Zeb is really amazing,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I enjoy having him because he\u0026rsquo;s assisting me in a multitude of areas, as we\u0026rsquo;re letting him explore what position would be right for him. That\u0026rsquo;s how you get the best out of people\u0026mdash;let them try things and do what they enjoy instead of giving them tasks that they may not like.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Anything that needs to be done, Jasmine and our COO, they give it to me and I\u0026rsquo;m like, \u0026lsquo;I got it,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said McLaurin.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Once I met Jasmine, I knew I had to somehow get involved in this somehow, some way. And then, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta with Students2Startups, that was it. That was the door to where I was destined to be. So I just followed through.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDannielle Boozer\u0026rsquo;s company, Rented.com, is an Atlanta startup that connects vacation rental home owners with professional property managers, and offers the owners the convenience of a fixed, guaranteed monthly rental income.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Students2Startups, Georgia State University student Kendall Glynn landed an internship as their marketing intern, enabling him to gain first-hand, paid work experience at a startup.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Working for a startup is a hustle, and you have so many things to do on a day-to-day basis, there\u0026rsquo;s really not a lot of time for anything extra,\u0026rdquo; said Boozer. \u0026ldquo;Having [Invest Atlanta] come in and vet some of the applications that were coming through from the interns and spread the word, and then connect us with the students they thought would be particularly good in the areas we needed help in\u0026mdash;that was great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":205,"title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","promo_title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","published_date":"2018-07-08","featured_image":{"id":676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"jumpfund_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":459519,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.414-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.464-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.340-04:00","filename_hash":"jumpfund_insight_vlVQjeW.png","width":1024,"height":602},"filename":"jumpfund-partners-with-ia-to-raise-52m-to-invest-in-women-led-ventures","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"T9J5pw","created_at":"2018-07-12T09:08:32.306-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.310-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business. First launched in 2013, the women-led JumpFund invested its first $2.5M fund in 18 companies with strong women leadership from Louisville, KY to Memphis, TN, to Atlanta, GA. JumpFund II was raised to continue to highlight the large gap in access to capital for women-led ventures, as well as to increase the number of women as \u0026ldquo;angel\u0026rdquo; investors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For more women-owned businesses to take the leap, they need to have access to the same venture capital opportunities as their male counterparts,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, a member of the Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Board of Directors. \u0026ldquo;Too often this hasn\u0026rsquo;t been the case, which is why we\u0026rsquo;re working to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs. By partnering with the JumpFund through the Atlanta Seed Equity Initiative, we can help narrow this gap and bring new investment to more women-led ventures in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II has investment from individuals and institutions across the Southeast and as far away as Denver, Seattle and Boston who realize the ROI potential of investing in women-led companies. A recent report by the Boston Consulting Group highlighted a 19% increase in innovation revenue from companies with diverse leadership and a 2016 study by First Round Capital found a 63% higher success rate of their portfolio companies with at least one woman founder. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, is one of those institutions participating in JumpFund II and was specifically seeking funding partners to enhance the economic competitiveness of Atlanta businesses and stimulate the creation of jobs and wealth through investments in innovative early-stage businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund launched its second fund in early 2017 and has already made investments in 9 women-led ventures, five of which are follow-on investments in current portfolio companies. JumpFund experienced early success with its investment in Partpic, an Atlanta-based company founded by CEO Jewel Burks, which sold to Amazon in 2016. JumpFund partners with other \u0026ldquo;gender lens\u0026rdquo; investors across the U.S., including Golden Seeds and Next Wave Impact Fund, which also encourages more women to invest in early stage, women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Partner Kristina Montague states, \u0026ldquo;we are investing in the change we want to see by engaging women\u0026rsquo;s capital to invest in women-led ventures with a vision to ultimately level the playing field for women building successful, high growth companies.\u0026rdquo; While JumpFund I had only women investors, JumpFund II has a \u0026ldquo;few good men\u0026rdquo; investing who also see the return potential and market gap for women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II will continue to work with accelerators, incubators, and funding partners throughout the Southeast to find early-stage ventures with strong women leadership. For more information on the JumpFund and its current portfolio, please visit www.thejumpfund.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":206,"title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","published_date":"2018-07-07","featured_image":{"id":672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"emrgy_photo_still.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":409739,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.671-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.701-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.429-04:00","filename_hash":"emrgy_photo_still_DNvKnWo.png","width":630,"height":360},"filename":"executive-corner-emrgy-ceo-emily-morris","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"LTq8jg","created_at":"2018-07-12T16:00:43.841-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.399-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/276631738","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmrgy provides a sustainable way to tap into new energy resources within existing waterways and convert that energy into clean, reliable electric power. Their small, modular flexible water turbines\u0026nbsp;can be scaled at high quantities for growth in power generation that can serve those around it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2015, Emrgy received a $30,000 investment through \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, or AEMI. (AEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006.) And in 2016, Invest Atlanta stewarded Emrgy into the Atlanta Demonstration Project, which allowed them to pilot and test their technology at the R.M. Clayton Water Treatment Plant, in partnership with the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Department of Watershed Management.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, the opportunity to test out our product and demonstrate it, pilot here in a relevant environment for a potential customer was really priceless,\u0026rdquo; said Morris. \u0026ldquo;We have a very supportive city government. We believe Atlanta is the best place to start a business given these various support activities they city can and does actively do for startups.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe added: \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be an Atlanta startup and we wave the Atlanta flag wherever we go.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":199,"title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","promo_title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","published_date":"2018-06-11","featured_image":{"id":658,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"brightscreen_insight_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1586688,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.637-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.717-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:08.009-04:00","filename_hash":"brightscreen_insight_3_BxleJj7.png","width":1200,"height":852},"filename":"in-the-spotlight-bright-screen-studio-set-to-open-in-west-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qw0z8Q","created_at":"2018-06-11T16:53:00.231-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:07.970-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Fulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown\u0026nbsp;after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith construction nearly complete, the studio will soon offer rental space for doing smaller-scale shoots. Their target customer will be production companies making music videos, commercials, PSAs, or video interviews, as well as photographers. The grand opening will take place on Thursday, June 28.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe found the space on North Avenue with the help of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development team. After weighing her budget options and deciding to rent rather than purchase, Batra began scouting locations with a focus on the West Midtown area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I was just really struggling with finding a perfect location that would be in my budget,\u0026rdquo; she said. That\u0026rsquo;s when she reached out to IA\u0026rsquo;s Kent Spencer and Cesar Vence, whom she described as being \u0026ldquo;amazing\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;really helpful.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I told them my budget, and then beam heights because a short ceiling height would not have worked for me,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They narrowed it down and sent me a list of buildings for lease.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe chose one of the locations on the list Invest Atlanta provided\u0026mdash;a building owned by equipment rental company Keslow Camera.\u0026nbsp; The two companies will work in partnership to provide those who shoot there with the cameras and studio space they need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e has much to offer customers. For one, they have a Cyclorama, or \u0026ldquo;Cyc,\u0026rdquo; a feature that\u0026rsquo;s important for productions that don\u0026rsquo;t want to build large sets, instead adding backgrounds and other visual elements as part of the post-production editing process. The Cyc is 90-feet wide, 18-feet high, and shaped like a \u0026ldquo;U.\u0026rdquo; The unique U-shape allows for panoramic shots to be taken from multiple angles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Nobody in Atlanta has that actually,\u0026rdquo; said Batra. \u0026ldquo;There are a lot of Cycloramas, but they\u0026rsquo;re all L-shaped with one corner. What we have is a U shape, so you get two corners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBright Screen also offers high-quality lighting options: Kino Flo Image 80s that can light the entire Cyc wall.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It helps when a smaller production company\u0026rsquo;s coming,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They don\u0026rsquo;t have to worry about bringing their lighting equipment because they can use the pre-lighting options that I have already.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBatra wants to encourage other women who want to pursue their passion and launch an entrepreneurial venture in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s important that I kind of give back to the community, especially to women in the film industry or in production,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I would say to them, do your research and obviously follow your passion, but also make connections with people that are really going to help you, not just in your business, but take you further in life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":183,"title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","published_date":"2018-04-08","featured_image":{"id":644,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"s2s-site.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5376159,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.196-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.418-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.115-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s-site_xDrv8K9.png","width":3424,"height":1529},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-ia-worksource-atlanta-launch-students2startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vADc_Q","created_at":"2018-04-08T16:18:25.020-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.099-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups Program\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInitiative will build a pipeline of diverse talent to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startups\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta officially announced the launch of Students2Startups \u0026ndash; an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta. Developed to help the city continue to build its tech talent pipeline, Students2Startups will subsidize high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies. In addition, this innovative initiative will support Atlanta startups by meeting some of their tech talent needs \u0026ndash; helping to retain more of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top talent in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups will connect more of our college and university students to a network of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s seasoned entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;All too often, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of innovators and job creators lack access to the financial resources and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in a 21st-century economy. Through mentorship programs like Students2Startups, the City aims to open doors of opportunity for our students and startups while reinforcing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a leading city for high-tech sector jobs and commerce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to scale up in a swift and nimble manner. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta will subsidize internships for 14 students interested in technology-focused summer internships. Invest Atlanta will partner with Startup Atlanta to identify program participants and support ongoing program management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Audrey Lawrence, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD and Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program. Participating Atlanta-based startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various tech-related careers. Students2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a Startup Atlanta lunch-and-learn series to help students deepen their inroads into Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":181,"title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","promo_title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","published_date":"2018-03-19","featured_image":{"id":585,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sxsw_panel_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":143422,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.365-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.449-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.978-04:00","filename_hash":"sxsw_panel_ia_Qggw7N2.jpg","width":1085,"height":814},"filename":"south-by-southwest-sxsw-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lrQ9WA","created_at":"2018-03-19T12:56:09.364-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.966-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Last week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. While at the tech, film, and music festival, the team also attended sessions about the latest trends in tech, including Virtual Reality (VR), blockchain (over 35 sessions!), and Internet of Things (IoT). The team was pleased to find the conference schedule was full of opportunities to engage on dialogue around diversity and inclusion, smart cities, music and entertainment tech, and building investment pipelines, all topics that the Invest Atlanta team is currently engaged in.\u0026nbsp; The knowledge the IA team gained at SXSW will no doubt inform future programs and initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNoelle London and Sheoyki Jones both participated in informative panel discussions on the Comcast stage. London talked about the state of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem with Holly Beilin of \u003ca href=\"https://hypepotamus.com/\"\u003eHypeotamus\u003c/a\u003e, Burunda Prince-Jones of Comcast\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://thefarmatl.com/\"\u003eThe Farm\u003c/a\u003e innovation accelerator, and Charlton Cunningham of \u003ca href=\"http://www.startupatlanta.com/\"\u003eStartup Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e. Jones covered Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s booming media and entertainment sector with ChooseATL\u0026rsquo;s Kate Atwood and Blossom Media\u0026rsquo;s Diamonde Williamson.\u0026nbsp; The recently-launched \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-loan-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;was a key topic in a discussion about how the City of Atlanta is supporting our independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral Atlanta-based startups took part in SXSW\u0026nbsp;pitch competitions.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://polyport.io/landing/\"\u003ePolyPort\u003c/a\u003e, a 3D design asset protection company, took home first prize in the \u0026ldquo;Security and Privacy Technologies\u0026rdquo; category. Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.gyomo.com/\"\u003eGyomo\u003c/a\u003e, whose software provides email security protection and \u003ca href=\"http://www.trycrescendo.com/\"\u003eCrescendo\u003c/a\u003e, who offers performance assessment software powered by AI, were recognized as standouts in their respective categories. \u003ca href=\"https://qoins.io/\"\u003eQoins\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;a former Invest Atlanta International Startup Exchange participant, placed 2nd in Tech.co\u0026rsquo;s Startup of the Year competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ChooseATL house, hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, was once again a big hit, thanks to informative panel discussions and a guest appearance by T.I. Along with the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.thea.network/\"\u003eTHEA\u003c/a\u003e, the first city-based video streaming platform, the ChooseATL team told the Atlanta story in an effort to show off our city to businesses and the next-generation of talent. Atlanta showed up strong to SXSW 2018, and Invest Atlanta was proud to be a part of it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":179,"title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","promo_title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","published_date":"2018-03-12","featured_image":{"id":574,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_v5.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":891660,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.837-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.875-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.559-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_v5_E665yDo.png","width":789,"height":625},"filename":"pittsburgh-yards-marks-groundbreaking-with-community-celebration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nQ8Shw","created_at":"2018-03-12T15:57:11.828-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.546-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Residents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResidents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in attendance were members of the Atlanta City Council, Invest Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;the Columbia Core Partners development team, and leaders from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropy that owns the parcel and has invested toward ensuring the development benefits the community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards will be a key community-focused, economically-inclusive asset for the Southside and for the city as a whole. When complete, it will offer accessible rental rates for local small businesses to thrive. This in turn will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities even as it bolsters the sense of community in this part of the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic landscape is changing with more major development initiatives breaking ground south of Interstate 20,\u0026rdquo; said Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Pittsburgh Yards will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that will help bring new, sustainable growth and nearly $40 million in economic impact to the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $26 million first phase of development will happen on the eastern side of the property around an existing 61,000 square foot structure that will create work spaces at accessible rental rates for approximately 100 businesses, including light-industrial, administrative, artisanal, maker and creative enterprises. A large, natural-turf green space will be created, along with a business-centric area that features repurposed shipping containers that will be used as work spaces and storefronts. The first phase will also include necessary road, sewer, storm-water management, landscaping and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure \u0026mdash; including a spur to the Atlanta BeltLine \u0026mdash; as well as three adaptable pad-ready sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first phase of the development create approximately 200 new permanent jobs. And over the next decade, that number will climb to 1,000 new positions. And importantly, Annie E. Casey will work with the Center for Working Families and other organizations to ensure local residents have access to employment and training opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards is a critical project for south Atlanta, which over the next few years will see unprecedented levels of investment, from the former site of Turner Field to the Atlanta BeltLine to Ft. McPherson to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported this project with a New Markets Tax Credits allocation through our community development subsidiary, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Since 2010, AEMI has invested in 16 projects, including Grady Hospital\u0026rsquo;s Emergency Center and Women and Infants Center, as well as Families First\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd recently, Mayor Bottoms announced the news that AEMI will receive another $60 million allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department. We stand at the ready to support many more game-changing projects like Pittsburgh Yards in the years to come.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":180,"title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","promo_title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","published_date":"2018-03-07","featured_image":{"id":575,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wiredscore_ia.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":965464,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.903-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.946-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.770-04:00","filename_hash":"wiredscore_ia_W11ZeM4.png","width":974,"height":732},"filename":"ias-kevin-johnson-helps-launch-wiredscore-certification-for-atlanta-commercial-real-estate","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GmnvJA","created_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n ​At an event at Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt the Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive. A recent market research report, Atlanta 2018 Tenant Tech Trends, found that 96% of Atlanta tenants surveyed said access to reliable internet was critical to their success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We support WiredScore\u0026#39;s mission to improve transparency around digital infrastructure in commercial properties. By doing so, we can promote Atlanta\u0026#39;s global competitiveness as a destination for businesses across all sectors and support the existing community of innovative organizations that call Atlanta home. With Wired Certification, companies in Atlanta will be able to identify properties that provide access to the reliable and resilient connectivity their businesses depend on and be confident that the property is future-proofed to support continued growth,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe commercial owners and developers leading the adoption of Wired Certification in Atlanta are: The Allen Morris Co, The Ardent Companies, The Brookdale Group, Columbia Property Trust, Hines, Jamestown, Lionstone Investments, North American Properties, Richard Bowers and Co, Seven Oaks Management, Third Rail Studios and Zeller Realty Group with more committing to Wired Certification in the coming weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTenants including Amazon, Deloitte, Google, and Salesforce have signed leases in Wired Certified buildings across the country. Prominent local projects such as T3 West Midtown, Atlantic Yards and Northwinds VII are using Wired Certification to ensure the projects are future-proofed and well-connected as they target prominent corporate occupiers for pre-leasing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The growing adoption of Wired Certification will showcase Atlanta as a smart place to grow businesses and invest. Connectivity is a fundamental resource for businesses to operate successfully and demonstrating that Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Commercial Real Estate assets have advanced connectivity infrastructure, by providing transparent, globally-recognized ratings will help to attract and retain businesses to Atlanta. We are thrilled to be working with the industry leaders and Invest Atlanta to promote better connectivity infrastructure across the market,\u0026rdquo; said WiredScore\u0026rsquo;s Head of Atlanta, JD Jeske.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":176,"title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","published_date":"2018-03-02","featured_image":{"id":558,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1872206,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.661-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.717-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:51.001-05:00","filename_hash":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3_QggM4Vw.png","width":1193,"height":797},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-and-anthem-break-ground-on-new-technology-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UezCow","created_at":"2018-03-02T10:23:41.975-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:50.987-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp; When opened in 2020, the 352,000 square-foot state-of-the-art structure will house approximately 3,000 multi-disciplinary IT professionals dedicated to simplifying the health care experience for consumers and care providers, improving quality of care, and lowering health care costs.\u0026nbsp; Anthem, Inc. is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading health benefits companies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Midtown Atlanta is one of the most dynamic technology and innovation centers in the United States and we are excited to add Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new expansion to our growing healthcare IT ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Anthem\u0026rsquo;s decision to build its new Technology Center here underscores its workers\u0026rsquo; desire for the mobility options and the diverse, accessible lifestyle offered in one of America\u0026rsquo;s best urban neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta played a key role in ensuring this project moved forward. In October 2017, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved an $850,000 Economic Opportunity Fund grant to Anthem. The Board also approved the issuance of lease-purchase bonds to support the construction of the new building at the corner of 4th and West Peachtree streets in Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnthem chose to locate in Tech Square because it has become known globally as an innovation hotbed and includes research facilities, incubators, technology start-ups, the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, and the neighboring mixed-use Coda building currently under construction. In addition, the state of Georgia is hotbed for Health IT companies, with more than 200 companies employing approximately 30,000 people.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is rich with technology talent, and we are excited to take this next step in creating a hub for our IT organization here with a contemporary and inspiring space for current and future Anthem IT professionals,\u0026rdquo; said Tom Miller, Anthem senior vice president of innovation and chief information officer. \u0026ldquo;Located in the technology epicenter of Atlanta, the collaborative environment will enable Anthem\u0026rsquo;s IT team to more quickly turn health care ideas into real-time solutions and develop innovative tools and resources that will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to manage their health and wellbeing.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe architectural firm, John Portman \u0026amp; Associates, designed the building and provided Anthem the opportunity to create spaces that support its progressive and collaborative work style. More than 14,000 square-feet of terrace area will allow for an inviting green space, bringing the outside in, to support health and wellness. As part of the LEED- and Fitwel-certified design, Anthem placed an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and design that encourages an active work environment through indoor and outdoor spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Portman is delighted to partner with Anthem to create another significant development in Midtown Atlanta. The Anthem Technology Center will complement Coda and further cement Midtown as the focal destination for businesses that are focused on collaboration, recruitment, and positioning,\u0026rdquo; said Ambrish Baisiwala, chief executive officer of Portman Holdings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":172,"title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","promo_title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","published_date":"2018-02-12","featured_image":{"id":539,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"volantio_hype_new.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":185968,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.554-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.593-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.408-05:00","filename_hash":"volantio_hype_new_eXX2b2e.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-tech-start-up-volantio-secures-26-million-in-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kJVHwQ","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:34.588-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.393-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Volantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVolantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round led by Ingleside Investors and strategic investors International Airlines Group (IAG), JetBlue Technology Ventures, and Qantas Ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are extremely proud that the investment arms of three key global aviation leaders, spanning three distinct geographies, have chosen to back Volantio and its market leading technology\u0026rdquo; said Azim Barodawala, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s CEO.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe offices of Volantio can be found at Flatiron City in Downtown Atlanta, thanks in part to assistance from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business attraction team. The company was also a participant in the \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e, which allowed them to travel to Toulouse, France and connect with prospective customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYanaTM, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s flagship web-based platform, leverages machine learning algorithms to drive higher unit revenues and improved capacity utilization after customers have booked their flights, while also improving overall customer experience. Airlines use the technology to proactively identify flexible passengers on high demand flights, make them offers to move to lower demand flights, and automatically rebook them once they accept. Passengers are notified, via mobile, days in advance of departure, minimizing last-minute hassle and providing enough time to change plans accordingly. Offers can include upgrades, travel vouchers, and frequent flier points.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Our platform provides a rare triple-win,\u0026rdquo; said Barodawala. \u0026ldquo;Flexible passengers receive a benefit for changing their travel plans, last-minute travelers are able to access flights that otherwise would have been full, and airlines can better maximize network capacity and unit revenue, while putting greater predictability and control back in the hands of their customers.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":163,"title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","promo_title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":509,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wework_2_main.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2310929,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.817-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.876-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.161-05:00","filename_hash":"wework_2_main_1OQ45q2.png","width":1346,"height":710},"filename":"co-working-leader-wework-opens-3rd-atlanta-location","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3pEyww","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:44:01.790-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.149-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n WeWork celebrated the official grand opening of its third location in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeWork, along with Governor Nathan Deal and leadership from Invest Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, celebrated the official grand opening of WeWork\u0026rsquo;s third location in Atlanta, 1372 Peachtree, and the company\u0026rsquo;s continued growth in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is the 5th-largest co-working\u0026nbsp;market in the U.S., with 230,000 square feet of new co-working space added last year, more than twice the space of any other market in the Southeast.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s the kind of momentum that gets me excited,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta, at the grand opening. \u0026ldquo;This WeWork expansion further\u0026nbsp;strengthens Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a place where entrepreneurs and small businesses have the support and resources to build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past\u0026nbsp;8 years, Invest Atlanta has helped more than 69 businesses\u0026nbsp;expand within the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled to continue expanding across Georgia with our third Atlanta location, WeWork 1372 Peachtree,\u0026rdquo; said Bobby Condon, WeWork General Manager for the Southeast. \u0026ldquo;It is only fitting to build upon this growth in a creative and diverse community like Atlanta but also in the No. 1 state in which to do business. 1372 Peachtree, which will now serve as the WeWork headquarters for the entire southeast region, offers Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top creators \u0026ndash; people of all ages and companies of all sizes \u0026ndash; the space, culture and flexibility that will help recruit and retain the talent they need for their business to flourish.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther speakers at the event included Governor Deal, Hala Moddelmog of the Metro Atlanta Chamber,\u0026nbsp; and Larry Williams of the Technology Association of Georgia. They all welcomed WeWork and congratulated the company on their growth and expansion in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the capital of the Southeast, the Hollywood and Silicon Valley of the South, and as the greatest place to live, work, and call home, Atlanta has a thriving startup, tech, music, and creative-industries landscape,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. \u0026ldquo;WeWork helps provide these creators with a global network of more than 175,000 members in addition to workspaces, professional services, and resources necessary for success. Whether they be a one-person, two-person, 25-person business or whatever size they may be in their initial stages, this is a great place to be in order to give them that start.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto courtesy of Joi Pearson Photography.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":171,"title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","promo_title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":538,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":129042,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.911-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.942-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.863-05:00","filename_hash":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site_gvvlNLP.jpg","width":900,"height":601},"filename":"atlanta-sleep-tech-innovator-to-expand-thanks-to-ia-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pyweNg","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:31:07.043-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.829-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Responsive Surface Technology announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResponsive Surface Technology, an Atlanta-based sleep technology innovator, announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing. The additional capital provided will enable ReST to grow its inventory and expand marketing and research efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaged through Advantage Capital Partners, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund is a revolving loan program for businesses in the City of Atlanta located in census designated distressed neighborhoods. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program is administered through Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. and aims to attract private investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved neighborhoods and financially support catalytic projects that provide services or create quality jobs accessible to low-income residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is proud to play a key role in helping innovative businesses like Responsive Surface Technology expand and grow in the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dale Royal, President, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;Tech companies like ReST employ over 270,000 people in metro Atlanta alone. Through a variety of programs like the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Market Tax Credits, Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. offer businesses additional ways to access to capital so they can prosper in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s vibrant economy and help bring new investment to neighborhoods throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the company expands, ReST aims to become the leading sleep technology innovator in the world. ReST is committed to expanding its Atlanta footprint by continuing to grow its operations in West Midtown and creating new jobs. The company plans to invest in local talent, including skilled workers from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to have received additional funding through Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Lloyd Sommers, General Manager of ReST. \u0026ldquo;The funds will support our efforts to expand distribution so that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience why the ReST Bed\u0026trade; has in less than two years become the leading mattress for endurance athletes and those with back pain.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":170,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","published_date":"2017-12-23","featured_image":{"id":516,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"creative_industries_top-1024x625.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":99118,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.958-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.380-05:00","filename_hash":"creative_industries_top-1024x625_OPlbvyM.jpg","width":1024,"height":625},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-creative-industries-loan-fund-to-support-and-retain-local-talent","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EA7pfw","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:09:10.301-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.372-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New Creative Industries Loan Fund will assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta recently announced the new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e, a joint project between the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta to assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs. The program offers loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms for local creative entrepreneurs to use for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects. (Learn more about the Fund\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our city is rich in talent and ideas, but funding decisions are often made elsewhere,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;With the new Creative Industries Loan Fund, we will help our homegrown innovators as they build and keep their businesses in the City of Atlanta. We will continue to build our creative economy and enhance Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as the center of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s booming film, TV and entertainment business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia have established world-class infrastructure for the film, television and entertainment industries. As a result, the State of Georgia was the number-one location in the world for film and TV production last year. Film and television production in Georgia generated more than $6 billion in economic impact in 2015. In the time since Mayor Reed took office in 2010, the industry has grown from $250 million per year to $9.5 billion, representing a growth of 2,000 percent. The City of Atlanta issued more than 1,000 permits for film production in Fiscal Year 17, generating $763,000 in revenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To ensure our city\u0026rsquo;s creative industries thrive for years and decades to come, we need to support our homegrown artists who are creating the next box office smash, hit music track, or top-rated video game,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Loan Fund gives us a new tool to create jobs, retain our top creative talent, and strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global entertainment capital.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Creative Industries Loan Fund are open to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating within the City of Atlanta who plan to create within the City of Atlanta, independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs registered as a business within the City of Atlanta, and independent record and management companies operating within the City of Atlanta, as well as their talent located within the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We have a phenomenal opportunity here. The creative impact on our city, both culturally and economically has been unprecedented,\u0026rdquo; Christopher Hicks, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to building on top of those successes with this endeavor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Fund will be made through Invest Atlanta; a new Creative Industries Advisory Board will review the applications and make funding decisions. Awards will be made through Invest Atlanta, which will report on all approved awardees to the Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":19,"title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","promo_title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","published_date":"2017-12-19","featured_image":{"id":226,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_top.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":960803,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:07.880-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:08.396-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.454-05:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_top_DNxem41.jpg","width":5155,"height":3147},"filename":"the-ivillage-mlk-shipping-container-village-officially-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kaIk_A","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:47:06.001-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.422-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made of repurposed shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA officially announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made out of repurposed shipping containers, at H.E. Holmes MARTA Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This shipping-container iVillage is not only the first of its kind in the State of Georgia, it\u0026rsquo;s another example of how the City of Atlanta supports innovation and entrepreneurship,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This concept is being featured in leading cities such as London, Copenhagen and San Francisco. With the new iVillage at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station, we are leveraging a smart, sustainable idea to expand our commitment to creating new hubs of innovation all over the City. I am pleased that this new iVillage will be one component of improvements and investments to improve mobility and access to economic opportunity along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce construction on the project is complete, the iVillage @ MLK will provide affordable, transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses. A total of 14 shipping containers will be used to create around 6,500 square feet of commercial space. The development will also include sizable lawn and deck areas to host public events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m looking forward to the day when local entrepreneurs are here every day, bringing their new ideas and energy to this area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;One day, we hope to see many of the businesses launched take root up and down the MLK Corridor and look forward to working with the community to make The iVillage @ MLK a place of pride and purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK will provide the opportunity for reimagining the possibilities of a public space, putting it to new and attractive use for local businesses and residents. MARTA will examine future opportunities for transit-oriented development at H.E. Holmes Station to ensure more people can live affordably near our job centers and transit nodes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThough this is the first project of its kind in Georgia, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities like Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort continue to transform Westside communities, especially along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The iVillage is more than just development of office and retail space, it\u0026rsquo;s part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment to key commercial corridors throughout the city like MLK Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, the City of Atlanta was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications will be made available soon for entrepreneurs interested in leasing space at The iVillage @ MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":5,"title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","promo_title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","published_date":"2017-11-02","featured_image":{"id":210,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_ignite_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":164235,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:17.951-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:18.186-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.147-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_ignite_feature_gvV2gx3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"mlk-ignite-capital-grants-awarded-to-14-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"O4q2FA","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:50:46.096-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 small businesses receiving MLK Ignite Capital Grants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt an event held at Atlanta City Hall, Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 winners of the MLK Ignite Capital\u0026nbsp;Grant\u0026nbsp;program, which awards $100,000 to small businesses located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Under Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s leadership, Invest Atlanta created the grant program as part of the city\u0026rsquo;s overall efforts to revitalize the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The 14 small businesses will receive $5,000-$10,000 each to meet their immediate, short-term needs, such as building fa\u0026ccedil;ade upgrades, property improvements and equipment purchases. Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Young, Jr. joined Mayor Reed and Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich for the ceremony today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The street honoring Dr. King\u0026rsquo;s legacy in Atlanta should and will be one of the most attractive, vibrant and important streets in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;By investing in small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor, we are supporting the women and men who have supported their communities for years. These businesses offer local residents more choices to shop, dine and work closer to home. I congratulate each one of our grant recipients, and look forward to the changes and improvements they make with the support of the MLK Ignite Capital Grant.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach small business was required to provide 30 percent of the cost of the capital investment they proposed to make for their business. The grant award covered the remaining 70 percent of the capital cost. The grant funds come from the $10 million federal TIGER VII grant awarded to the City of Atlanta in August 2016, and is the centerpiece of the $35 million renovation to improve safety and mobility and promote economic development along more than seven miles of this this historic street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The future strength and equity of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy depend largely on making effective investments in commercial corridors like MLK Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The work we\u0026rsquo;re doing to support businesses through this program goes hand in hand with our economic growth strategies to increase small business activity and provide access to retail amenities in target areas throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLatifah Allah, Unity Hair Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTerrance Barron, University Barbershop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKhadijah Baynes, The Beauty Industry;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoebe Dawson, Alfonzo Dawson Mortuary, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKenneth Dean, All-Pro Insurance Agency;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMarion Hargett, Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Buffalo Wings;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eImani Maisonelt, Imani\u0026rsquo;s Too Hair \u0026amp; More Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEdward Martin, Murden\u0026rsquo;s Barber Shop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJaseph Moultrie, Jr., Aesthetic Ink \u0026amp; Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDr. Charles Nichols, Alphia Health \u0026amp; Wellness Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCorey Reeves, Aldridge Services, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHope Stoney, Hope Health \u0026amp; Wellness Center;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAndrew Taylor, Pro Cuts ATL; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePauline Warrior, Warnun Industries, Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Capital Ignite Grants were funded through the Economic Opportunity Fund for Business Retention and Expansion, approved by the Atlanta City Council in November 2016. Under the leadership of Mayor Reed, the Invest Atlanta board of directors gave final approval for the funding in August 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":2,"title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","promo_title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","published_date":"2017-11-01","featured_image":{"id":42,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sbal_awardees.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":233239,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.221-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.286-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.015-05:00","filename_hash":"sbal_awardees_gvVg9W3.jpg","width":800,"height":535},"filename":"ia-hosts-second-annual-small-business-excellence-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h9CJ3A","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:03:11.518-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.001-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245262848","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards at The Gathering Spot on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses. Eight Atlanta businesses were recognized for all they\u0026rsquo;ve done to strengthen our city\u0026rsquo;s small business sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Your determination has made Atlanta one of the most vibrant city\u0026rsquo;s for small business,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Whether it\u0026rsquo;s a tech startup or a brick and mortar business serving the community, entrepreneurs like you throughout Atlanta are changing our city for the better. You\u0026rsquo;re not only selling products and services, you\u0026rsquo;re creating new jobs, and building stronger communities. It\u0026rsquo;s your determination that has made Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector strong and successful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe theme of the event was \u0026ldquo;Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Spirit,\u0026rdquo; with entrepreneur and Spotify senior manager Amber Grimes delivering a riveting keynote address about the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t let anyone, ever, dim your light,\u0026rdquo; she told the audience.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, the first Excellence in Small Business Pitch Competition took place during the event, which brought together three emerging entrepreneurs to present how their business would create new economic opportunities. The presenters were Ngozi Chuku from Reel Chemistry, JaQuis McCullough from Numis, and Mbye Nije from Legal Equalizer. Legal Equalizer, an app that provides a crash course in civil and constitutional rights, took home the top prize.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2017 Small Business Excellence Award recipients were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSpotlight Award: Atlanta Movie Tours, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExcellence In Longevity: Like a River Salon and Spa LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFranchise Excellence: This Is It! Seafood \u0026amp; BBQ\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEntrepreneur Of The Year: Watkins Mortuary Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eManufacturing Excellence: The Good Hair Shop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExpansion Excellence: Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group Inc.\u0026rsquo;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommunity Favorite: The Trophy Room Barbershop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStart-Up Excellence: Doux South Specialties LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event sponsors were: Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Wharton Law, Ground Floor, New Realm Brewing Company, New Africa Business Association of Atlanta, and Shay Latte.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $11.5 million in 187 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $32.5 million from the private sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":3,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","published_date":"2017-10-31","featured_image":{"id":209,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"money2020_main.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":306850,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.398-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.688-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:23.205-05:00","filename_hash":"money2020_main_4X3bk4q.jpg","width":3362,"height":1815},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-partners-showcase-atlanta-fintech-at-money2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"adGRMA","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:34:07.568-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:22.537-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest FinTech innovation conference.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas in October for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest payments and financial services innovation conference. Working with the state of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and FinTech Atlanta, Invest Atlanta had an incredibly successful time in Las Vegas as the city, state, and region continue to rise as a leader in the FinTech industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe region was well represented at Money 2020, with 20 large Atlanta companies and 156 FinTech companies with a Georgia presence in attendance. In addition, 12 speakers and 14 panel sessions focused on the region\u0026rsquo;s strengths in the FinTech industry. In addition, the FinTech Atlanta team hosted a high-profile curated discussion with Bloomberg at a CEO dinner, while more than 60 people (14 large funds) attended their venture capital reception. The team hosted more than 10 individual meetings at a sold-out reception attended by 300 people. In addition, FinTech Atlanta posters and signs around could be sign throughout the event space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; for its role as the epicenter of a growing segment of the FinTech, or financial services, industry. Around 70 percent of U.S. financial transactions pass through Georgia. The state\u0026rsquo;s FinTech companies generate an annual revenue of more than $72 billion, and collectively process more than 118 billion transactions per year. Together, this represents $2 trillion of purchase volume each year, supporting nearly 4 million merchants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":6,"title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","published_date":"2017-10-18","featured_image":{"id":211,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"demo_day_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":508154,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:17.804-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:18.163-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.640-05:00","filename_hash":"demo_day_feature_wjy1V4N.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"startups-pitch-at-second-annual-atl-aviation-innovation-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Wc1Ncg","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Six startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at the second annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day. Held on October 13, 2017 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering 7-minute pitches to representatives from the airport and several airlines.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you fail to innovate, you can lose market share and lose the hearts and minds of your customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures. \u0026ldquo;Even as an airport, we can lose control over our own destiny, so innovation is vitally important.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral of the presenting startups are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister cities of Newcastle, UK and Toulouse, France, and are participating in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program. DroneOps and ReciteMe are from Newcastle, and NanoMade is from Toulouse. All the other startups are all based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are working with startups in Atlanta interested in growing and expanding into new markets to help them explore opportunities,\u0026rdquo; said Noelle London, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;And we\u0026rsquo;re also excited to bring some of innovation and technology coming out of our sister cities in front of you today because we want that innovation to thrive in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at the Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators helped assemble nominees, and airport and airline representatives chose these pitch finalists:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDropOps:\u0026nbsp;Offers commercial drone construction, training, and technical support.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNanoMade:\u0026nbsp;Brings multi-point force sending on any material with their patented technology.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVolantio:\u0026nbsp;Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCognosos:\u0026nbsp;An IoT-as-a-service platform offering fully managed, end-to-end wireless sensing solutions for inventory tracking.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReciteMe:\u0026nbsp;A cloud-based web accessibility solution providing access to online and mobile content.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrustStamp:\u0026nbsp;Provides enterprises and consumers with identify and trust as a service through cutting-edge biometric solutions.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvidentID:\u0026nbsp;Offers a secure solution for business and individuals to share verified personal information.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":9,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":214,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_graduation_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":156439,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:54.115-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_graduation_feature_eX166EW.jpg","width":1953,"height":1465},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-celebrates-inaugural-graduating-class","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ib3Oxg","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:24:31.692-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:53.489-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance were Mayor Kasim Reed, Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI, and members of the WEI Advisory Board, including Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. As the only city-funded initiative of its kind in the nation, WEI is a 15-month business incubator program that fosters growth and sustainability through business education, financial literacy, access to mentors and consultants, and peer-to-peer networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I congratulate the 15 women entrepreneurs who participated in WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural year,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Their achievements over the past 15 months show what can happen when government and the private sector join together to provide access to resources, technology and hands-on mentorship. These women had the courage to lay their futures on the line and chase their dreams; their ambition inspires us all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vision for WEI was sparked by Mayor Reed during his first mayoral campaign. Launched in 2014, and guided by a seven-member advisory board, WEI aims to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s mission of elevating and strengthening its economic development efforts. Atlanta was recently ranked 18th out of 50 best global cities for women entrepreneurs in Dell\u0026rsquo;s 2017 Women Entrepreneur Index.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI\u0026rsquo;s first 15-member graduating class shows that women entrepreneurs are fearless, pioneering and worth championing,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI. \u0026ldquo;Their passion and accomplishments will serve as a great example of what can be achieved by the next class of WEI entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of the 15-month business incubator, nine of the 15 entrepreneurs have hired additional employees; six entrepreneurs have collaborated with fellow WEI classmates to create additional business opportunities; one entrepreneur has grown her 2017 revenues beyond $1.1 million; and, to date, the revenue gain of the first class of WEI entrepreneurs\u0026rsquo; businesses stands at more than $480K.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the graduation ceremony, the City of Atlanta announced that Flatiron City, which has partnered with the City since WEI\u0026rsquo;s inception, will extend office space leases to two graduating WEI entrepreneurs free of charge; WeWork, a national shared office space company located in Buckhead, will also provide free office space for three months to all of the WEI graduates; Jump Fund, a Tennessee-based venture capital firm, will come to Atlanta to invest in the businesses of the WEI women entrepreneurs; and WEI will now be a part of the Invest Atlanta team which will ensure the legacy of support for the WEI business incubator program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to congratulate the members of WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural class on their graduation,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Nearly 48 percent of women cite a lack of community support as a key challenge to starting a business, and in its first year, WEI has already created a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive community of entrepreneurs. These WEI businesses have generated more than $480,000 in revenue and created jobs, and they will continue to make a positive impact on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy for years to come. I\u0026rsquo;m glad WEI has joined the Invest Atlanta team, and I look forward to working together to support future women entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 15 women entrepreneurs honored during the WEI graduation ceremony were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLynn Lilly, CraftBox Girls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMelanie Rhodes, MelanCo. Enterprises/DSS Experts;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Hodgkins, SparkFire Active LLC;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJoanna Douglas, Parketing;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDawn Belisle, Delights by Dawn;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJeannell Darden, Cococurls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJennifer Bluemling, Borrowed By Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSherry Popovic, cME compete;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCicely Gay, Amplifiers Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLogan Williams, Rapid Parking Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAdrienne Brown, Adrienne J. Media;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTiffany Ray, Generation Infocus;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonica Hooks, m-oracle;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSheila Woodhouse, DoxMed; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTonya Hicks, Women Do Everything.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI recently completed the application process for the new 15-member class of women entrepreneurs. The businesses chosen to participate in the 2018-19 WEI incubator program will be announced in December 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":15,"title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","promo_title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":222,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"flatiron_poty_iainsight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":905179,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:44.937-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:45.114-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.421-04:00","filename_hash":"flatiron_poty_iainsight_mpoaK91.png","width":1029,"height":628},"filename":"flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BQTw3Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:30:28.854-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.404-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n FlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by ULI Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence. Invest Atlanta supported the renovation of the Flatiron building, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest skyscraper, into a next-generation office space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a $1.5 million Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a $11.2 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financing for this project was particularly creative, using various public and private sector financial tools,\u0026rdquo; one award juror told the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/15/project-of-the-year-flatiron-city-transforms.htm\"\u003eAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;In addition, this project took an existing Atlanta asset that was a burden in an important location downtown and repurposed it through adaptive reuse into a source of energy and creativity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":14,"title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","promo_title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":221,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"north_ave_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1483350,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.244-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.651-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:50.153-05:00","filename_hash":"north_ave_feature_bzneky8.jpg","width":5120,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"p5D3cg","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech officially launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFunded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond, the Smart Corridor will have more than 100 street sensors gather real-time data, which will then be used to provide efficient traffic management through data analytics. The goal is to improve traffic flow, increase automotive and pedestrian safety, and reduce emergency response times.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This event represents another giant step forward for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Smart City future, and it\u0026rsquo;s all about our progress in being first to the future,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Kasim Reed said at the ceremony. \u0026ldquo;The North Avenue Smart Corridor really is a game changer for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project is part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger Smart City strategy to implement a data-centric approach to improving quality of life, growing the local economy, and ensuring greater equity in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Avenue was chosen as the location for the initial pilot project because of its importance as an employment corridor and an important east-west transportation artery. The street connects Georgia Tech, Coca-Cola headquarters, Georgia Department of Transportation headquarters, the North Ave. MARTA rail station, and the Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Trail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta funded the purchase of smart cameras that will be used to gather critically important data. Several Atlanta-based technology companies are involved in implementing the project. Applied Information is providing connected vehicle infrastructure, and Surtrac will offer their Artificial Intelligence-based adaptive traffic signal system.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the dozens on hand to celebrate the occasion were Georgia Tech President G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson, Renew Atlanta General Manager Faye DiMassimo, Chief Information Officer Samir Saini, as well as Councilmembers Alex Wan, Andre Dickens, and C.T. Martin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n North Avenue\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":16,"title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-09-13","featured_image":{"id":223,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startup_feature_final.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1456523,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.498-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.661-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.877-05:00","filename_hash":"startup_feature_final_lpVQowr.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TTT30Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta announced the ten companies participating in the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta announced on September 5 that the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partners including the U.K. Department for International Trade, Sage and Metropole Toulouse, had selected the final ten companies for the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Startup Exchange is a one-week international residency which will provide four Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom. Two Toulouse-based and four United Kingdom-based companies will travel to Atlanta on this occasion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides the selected Atlanta companies a unique opportunity and resources needed to grow their business and ultimately create jobs here in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;I congratulate the Atlanta-based companies that will participate and share innovative ideas in this year\u0026rsquo;s Exchange. We also look forward to welcoming the French and British companies to Atlanta where they will find a city with a robust and growing startup community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based companies Qoins, a FinTech startup that encourages savings for millennials, and Babylogger, a software and hardware company that helps catalogue baby activities, will travel to the U.K. the week of November 14, 2017 during Venturefest North East. In addition, Vayando, a social impact travel organization and Volantio, an airline booking tool for improving flight utilization, will visit Toulouse the week of October 1, 2017 during the EmTech Conference.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse companies Nanomade and Nanolike, which provide IoT solutions applicable to smart cities initiatives, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta, which will take place October 8-14, 2017. They will be joined by Newcastle-based companies Drone Ops and Recite Me, which respectively provide commercial drone capabilities and web access solutions for the disabled.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, London-based companies Citizen and Immersive labs, two cyber-security companies providing authentication services and skills training, will participate in CyberCon the week of October 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, Toulouse, and the U.K. have partnered for the exchange based on the strength of existing relationships and shared growing industries. Over the course of the one-week residency in each location, the visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle. The Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development in 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":20,"title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","promo_title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","published_date":"2017-08-31","featured_image":{"id":227,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hong_kong_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":764912,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:47.982-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:48.278-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:45.106-05:00","filename_hash":"hong_kong_1_E6xeJvV.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"ia-travels-to-hong-kong-to-exchange-transit-oriented-development-insights","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EEIDPQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Erika Davis from Invest Atlanta joined with other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eErika Davis, Senior Project Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Invest Atlanta, recently joined with several other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development, or TOD. Along with Davis, the Atlanta contingent included: William Johnson, Commissioner of Public Works; Jalal Slade, Senior Policy Advisor on Real Estate; and Catherine Buell, CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) .\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe group met with a variety of Hong Kong government officials to discuss housing, walkability, and connectivity to transit. With the Bureau of Land, the team learned that Hong Kong leases land to TOD developers, who generally prefer to focus on commercial development first rather than residential. These commercial developments, many of which sit on or near transit stations, offer convenience to city residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePublic transit is critically important to Hong Kong, since only 6 percent of residents own a car, and 90 percent of all commutes rely on public transportation. To handle the large ridership in an efficient way, the Atlanta team learned, HK officials have focused on improving pedestrian accessibility to stations in the central business districts. They\u0026rsquo;ve also worked to plan and developing new residential areas along rail transit extensions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, the Atlanta team also shared information about the city\u0026rsquo;s efforts on TOD. Davis presented on several of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent efforts on TOD. She spoke about the MLK Innovation Village is being created at Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station using repurposed shipping containers. She also presented about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role in supporting TOD at King Memorial MARTA Station. Through a $6 million Eastside TAD grant, IA is ensuring that 20 percent of the 400 residential units being constructed will be affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavis and the others concluded their trip by attending an international TOD and smart city conference, joining other officials from Singapore, China, and Vancouver, Canada.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":35,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-08-02","featured_image":{"id":242,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ia_exchange_graphic_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2556077,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.640-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:28.110-05:00","filename_hash":"ia_exchange_graphic_3_DNxejbQ.png","width":1837,"height":1378},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-2017-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"My7-Hg","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program\u0026mdash;a one-week international residency which will provide eight selected companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We look forward to building off the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s startup exchange by further strengthening the bonds between the Atlanta startup community with those in our sister cities of Toulouse and Newcastle,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta, the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta has become a top-ranked tech capital, thanks to our talent base, a growing cluster of 20 innovation centers and programs like this one that connect talented entrepreneurs from around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the program, Atlanta will also welcome four startups from Toulouse and the U.K. to participate in Atlanta Cyber Week scheduled for October 1- 7 or Venture Atlanta Week slated for October 8-14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are happy to launch this year\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program in partnership with the City of Toulouse, the U.K. Department for International Trade, Invest Newcastle and Sage. Our office works to provide Atlanta companies with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve substantial growth,\u0026rdquo; said Claire Angelle, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs. \u0026ldquo;The International Trade Administration reports that companies which export grow faster, pay higher wages and are more resilient than companies relying solely on the domestic market. We invite entrepreneurs throughout the region to apply for this exciting program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse and Newcastle were selected for sharing growing industries and strong, existing relationships with Atlanta. Over the course of the one-week residency, the selected startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients in the aerospace, smart cities and cybersecurity industries. Selected startups will also receive roundtrip airfare, accommodations, dedicated co-working space and ground transportation for one representative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\"\u003ewww.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":37,"title":"Cyclotron Arrival a Major Step Forward for Emory Proton Therapy Center","promo_title":"Cyclotron Arrives at Emory Proton Therapy Center","published_date":"2017-07-14","featured_image":{"id":244,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"proton_center_main_option_2_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":144609,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:51.082-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:51.268-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:08.015-05:00","filename_hash":"proton_center_main_option_2_feature_qN9gke9.jpg","width":1666,"height":1250},"filename":"cyclotron-arrival-a-major-step-forward-for-emory-proton-therapy-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iv31Ug","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:07.344-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:07.344-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The\u0026nbsp;Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron, nicknamed \u0026ldquo;Jocelyn,\u0026rdquo; will provide targeted cancer treatment to around 1,700 patients annually.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron, nicknamed \u0026ldquo;Jocelyn,\u0026rdquo; was loaded into the facility in front of dozens of onlookers on Thursday, July 13. Once operational, the Center will provide targeted cancer treatment to around 1,700 patients annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The most profound thing about today\u0026rsquo;s event is the tremendous capacity that this cyclotron has for saving lives and reducing suffering of cancer patients at their most vulnerable moments,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Kasim Reed said at the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility will be part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district, and will bring 128 permanent medical jobs and $500 million in projected economic impact to Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed added: \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud that the City of Atlanta, through Invest Atlanta, has been able to partner with the Emory Proton Therapy Center to see that this facility realizes its full potential. The Proton Center will further solidify the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAshley Preisinger, GPTC President, spoke about the cylcotron\u0026rsquo;s journey in numerical terms. She said it took a 78-wheel truck towing a 210-foot trailer to bring the 90-ton proton accelerator on its 250-mile trip from Savannah to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;But 35,000 is my favorite number, and the one that has kept me motivated during uncertain times,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s the number of patients we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to treat here over the next 20 years.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board supported the Center by agreeing to issue up to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s existing debt. And on June 28, 2017, the board approved the final bond pricing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProton therapy is a highly-advanced form of radiation therapy that can provide cancer patients with an increased likelihood of superior clinical outcomes and fewer side effects or complications when compared to surgery, chemotherapy, and conventional radiation therapy alternatives. The Emory Proton Therapy Center will be one of just 25 such facilities in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding construction will continue as additional equipment for each of four gantry rooms arrives. Patient consults are slated to begin for the center in fall 2018, and the first patients will be treated in winter 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":50,"title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","promo_title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","published_date":"2017-06-30","featured_image":{"id":259,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":794584,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.568-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.736-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.629-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1_JjMQrJo.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"innovation-village-made-of-shipping-containers-coming-to-mlk-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lBaP2w","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta board voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board recently voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using repurposed shipping containers at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe container village will provide transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We think there\u0026rsquo;s going to be an exciting mix of new, innovative businesses that have yet to open on MLK, Jr. Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta Real Estate Director Chris Leutzinger. \u0026ldquo;Hopefully these owners will decide this is a great area where they can spin off their businesses and build them along the corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the Innovation Village is complete, Invest Atlanta will solicit applications for tenants over the next six months, and those who are chosen will pay an affordable monthly rent pegged at cost recovery levels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s a really economical way to service this kind of incubation, and it\u0026rsquo;s a great project for that site,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta board member Randy Hazelton.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is partnering with MARTA on this project, and they see it as an innovative opportunity to jumpstart future interest in transit-oriented development (TOD) at this station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We reached out to MARTA to come up with this concept to utilize repurposed shipping containers,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Economic Development. \u0026ldquo;What we\u0026rsquo;ve come up with is a really unique opportunity for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Innovation Village is part of the larger effort led by Mayor Kasim Reed to invest in the MLK corridor. Last year, the City of Atlanta received a $10 million TIGER grant from the USDOT that will fund a portion of the $22 million in infrastructure improvements planned for MLK, Jr. Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":56,"title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","promo_title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","published_date":"2017-06-13","featured_image":{"id":265,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"kevin_infosec_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":189014,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.274-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.484-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.814-05:00","filename_hash":"kevin_infosec_feature_V1Do8K9.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"a-month-of-tech-travels-for-economic-development-team","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3swufw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team represented Atlanta, networked with company executives, and mett with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMembers of the Invest Atlanta team spent the month of June representing Atlanta, networking with company executives, and meeting with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences. These trips are part of IA\u0026rsquo;s larger strategy to attract and retain businesses from targeted industry sectors, including cybersecurity, health IT, and the biosciences.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, IA\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Economic Development, traveled to London on June 6 for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.infosecurityeurope.com/\"\u003eInfosecurity (Infosec) Europe\u003c/a\u003e, as well as London Tech Week the following week. During the week of June 19, Economic Development Director Randi Mason will be in San Diego for the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBIO International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to meet with biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations from around the world.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInfosec Europe is the continent\u0026rsquo;s top cybersecurity conference, welcoming more than 13,500 information security professionals this year. While there, Johnson made valuable connections with European tech companies, including several Welsh-based firms. Atlanta has a thriving cybersecurity sector, with a strong focus on financial technology, or FinTech. Fortune Magazine recently named Atlanta 1 of 7 cities that could become the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://fortune.com/2017/04/06/cyber-security-cities/\"\u003eworld\u0026rsquo;s cybersecurity capital\u003c/a\u003e, and the state of Georgia is home to 115 cybersecurity companies that generate a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantafdiportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/16-57-FDI-FINAL_WEB-2.pdf\"\u003equarter of the sector\u0026rsquo;s global revenue\u003c/a\u003e. Metro Atlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; thanks to its strength in FinTech, with the industry employing nearly 40,000 in the metro region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom June 12-16, more than 40,000 attendees from 70-plus countries came together for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://londontechweek.com/\"\u003eLondon Tech Week\u003c/a\u003e. The week-long conference provided IA with the chance to talk about Atlanta with an engaged tech audience. Johnson met with the corporate leadership of Skignz, a late stage start-up based in Middlesbrough, UK, who has an established base in Atlanta with plans to rapidly grow their presence in the US market. He also met with Teesside University\u0026rsquo;s innovation and workforce leadership to discuss how the institution supports local start-ups and entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBiotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;will bring over 1,100 biotech organizations to San Diego from June 19-22. While there, Randi Mason will network with global biotech and pharma leaders to talk about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing bioscience industry. Metro Atlanta is home to renowned national and global health organizations, including the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, CARE, The Carter Center, and the Task Force for Global Health. Health IT is a thriving industry in the state of Georgia, with over 250 companies employing around 30,000 people.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":62,"title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","promo_title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","published_date":"2017-06-07","featured_image":{"id":271,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"sister_cities_awards_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1658863,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.617-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.858-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:56.232-05:00","filename_hash":"sister_cities_awards_feature_xD2ne9y.png","width":1749,"height":1312},"filename":"atlanta-toulouse-international-startup-exchange-recognized-as-innovative-economic-development-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"woX4Cg","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta received the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta were honored with the the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development for a city with a population between 100,001 and 500,000. The Sister Cities Innovation Award for Economic Development recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual sister city programs that promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe prize was awarded in recognition of the launch of the first Atlanta International Startup Exchange with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city Toulouse, France. The goal of the exchange is to ingrain an international strategy in the foundation of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s emerging enterprises. The two-week residency program provided selected companies a platform for global expansion as well as identify potential partners, investors, clients, and access two of the top aerospace and tech industries clusters. The program also provided an opportunity to showcase Atlanta and Toulouse as economically-sound choices for future international operations to the visiting Toulouse-based and Atlanta-based companies, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSCI Award winners will be honored at the Lou Wozar Diplomatic Awards Dinner on Saturday, July 15 during SCI\u0026rsquo;s 61st Annual Conference in Virginia Beach, VA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":64,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","published_date":"2017-06-05","featured_image":{"id":273,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"innovateher_selfie.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":528101,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:16.945-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:17.265-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:43.101-05:00","filename_hash":"innovateher_selfie_W1aKkO3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1538},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-hosts-innovateher-challenge","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jmqY6w","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-launches-2017-innovateher-business-challenge-innovations-empower-womens-lives\"\u003eInnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;on Thursday, June 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovateHER is a national business competition seeking entrepreneurs who are creating products or services that have a measurable impact on women and their families, fills a need in the marketplace and has potential for commercialization. This is the third consecutive year that WEI has served as a local host for this national competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneur Initiative is honored to host this innovative business challenge geared specifically to women,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Founding Executive Director, WEI. \u0026ldquo;It is important to understand the value of empowering our local entrepreneurs with opportunities to bring their products and services to market. We\u0026rsquo;re proud of the caliber of talent we\u0026rsquo;ve seen in our Atlanta applicants and look forward to nominating one of them for the chance to compete on the national stage.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCesar Vence, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Project Manager of Business Attraction, served as one of the three judges, along with Jill Goodrich, President of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce, and Camille Wright of the Style Consortium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a rigorous application process, WEI, as well as other host organizations and SBA Resource Partners around the country, identified five applicants with the most innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas to participate in the pitch competition held at WEI headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five local entrepreneurs selected to pitch their business idea at the WEI Business Pitch Challenge were: Justina Davis, Omod\u0026eacute;; Jennifer Bluemling, Borrowed by Design; Asma Young, Hijabi Pop; Quyionah Wingfiled, Cool Moms Dance Too; and Courtney Harmon, The Bribe Bag.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJustina Davis was chosen to advance to the semi-final round and pitch her business, called Omod\u0026eacute;. SBA will then select up to 10 finalists who will be invited to the national InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge to be held this summer. The finalists will pitch their products and ideas to a panel of expert judges and compete for the top three awards along with $70,000 in prize money provided to SBA for the InnovateHER competition through a gift from the Sara Blakely Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ms. Davis is incredibly deserving of the nomination win and we\u0026rsquo;re proud to advance her to the next round of the InnovateHER competition. Omod\u0026eacute;, which fills a void in the market and taps into a unique need of mothers and families, is exactly the type of business that best aligns with the goals of the competition,\u0026rdquo; added Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched in May 2016 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative operates as an incubator for 15 women business owners designed to foster and promote interaction and engagement with their likeminded counterparts. Through an ecosystem of educational resources, access to funding assistance and mentorship, the women will grow their businesses, over the course of 15 months, and then transition the business back into the City of Atlanta at the culmination of that period.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":83,"title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","promo_title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","published_date":"2017-03-22","featured_image":{"id":293,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_uk_featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":414784,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:30.895-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:31.208-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.577-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_uk_featured_ymr88v8.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"uk-women-entrepreneurs-learn-about-ia-small-business-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NwAa9Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Cynthia Freeman spoke to the entrepreneurs from the north of England about expanding their business in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCynthia Freeman, Loan Service Coordinator at Invest Atlanta, spoke to a group of women entrepreneurs from the north of England looking to expand their business in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Tuesday, March 21, at the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;office in the Flatiron building in Downtown, Freeman participated in the session, \u0026ldquo;Creative Financing for Startups \u0026amp; Small Businesses.\u0026rdquo; The powerhouse panel included Freeman, as well as Kathryn Petralia, Founder and Head of Operations at Kabbage, Genevieve Bos, Managing Partner of Thought Capital, and Mayte Peck, Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Business Center for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACE).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe panelists discussed the different ways small businesses can finance a small business expansion, including through equity investments, bank loans, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, microloans, or gap financing from organizations like Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you\u0026rsquo;re thinking about moving to the City of Atlanta, we\u0026rsquo;d like you to come in and work with Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Freeman. To receive a loan through Invest Atlanta, these entrepreneurs would first have to set up a subsidiary within the City of Atlanta. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta closed 174 loans representing $10.9 million and leveraging $41.3 million to support small businesses as they seek to expand or relocate to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman pointed out that 41 percent of the businesses that receive a loan through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs are owned by women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re very proud of that, and we\u0026rsquo;d like to get that number up,\u0026rdquo; she added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman\u0026rsquo;s participation in the WEI-hosted event is part of a larger strategy to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Atlanta by highlighting the city\u0026rsquo;s competitive business strengths and distinctive economic assets.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 2,500 foreign-owned enterprises employing nearly 135,000 people. Of these, 17,600, or 13.1 percent, are created by businesses headquartered in the U.K., making the island nation the second largest source of FDI by jobs created in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":84,"title":"Key Sectors Targeted at Global Mobility and Health IT Conferences","promo_title":"Key Sectors Targeted at Global Mobility and Health IT Conferences","published_date":"2017-03-13","featured_image":{"id":294,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":119951,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:49:39.388-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:49:39.547-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:27.570-05:00","filename_hash":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences-featured_vl6ggB6.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5xHQ5w","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:26.583-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:26.583-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Business Attraction team was busy in February and March communicating with leaders in the mobility and Health IT sectors.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMembers of the Business Attraction team were busy in February and March focusing on communicating with leaders in two key industry sectors: mobility and Health IT. Senior VP of Economic Development Kevin Johnson traveled to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest gathering for the mobile industry. Randi Mason, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Director, attended the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference \u0026amp; Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth Johnson and Mason focused on gaining a better understanding of these target industries, as well as communicating Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s strengths to the global business community. The value these trips provide is evident in the large amount of investment mobile and Health IT companies have made and are planning to make in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, Mobile World Congress welcomed 108,000 attendees representing 208 countries. Given the global audience, Johnson made sure to tout the geographic advantage Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides along with the city\u0026rsquo;s strengths in mobility. He also talked about how Atlanta is home to some of the biggest technology marketers in the world (AT\u0026amp;T Mobility, The Coca-Cola Company Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, InterContinental Hotels and UPS), consumer content leaders (Turner and Cox Enterprises), as well as 14,000 technology companies employing nearly 189,000 workers. Metro Atlanta is also a leader in FinTech, with companies like NCR calling the city home, and NerdWallet recently ranked Atlanta as the #1 mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo build on the connections made in Barcelona, Johnson plans to attend the upcoming Mobile World Congress America this fall in San Francisco.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMason joined more than 40,000 health IT professionals from the around the world at HIMMS. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership, and 13 Health IT companies hosted a booth at the convention touting the state\u0026rsquo;s role as the nation\u0026rsquo;s health IT capital. Georgia is home to over 225 health IT companies, part of a growing global industry valued at $55 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has helped Health IT companies like Anthem and athenahealth bring offices to Atlanta, and looks forward to working with more companies from this sector in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":100,"title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","promo_title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","published_date":"2017-02-07","featured_image":{"id":322,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72356,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.301-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.456-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:35.058-05:00","filename_hash":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494_p5VDEMr.jpg","width":1024,"height":494},"filename":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oLXqKQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants. Over the course of two days, Invest Atlanta learned more about their businesses, and the WEI entrepreneurs learned more about the services Invest Atlanta can provide.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta BRE team shared information about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s resources and programs. They covered many topics, including access to capital, site location, government procurement, supply chain, workforce, and tools to help the entrepreneurs grow their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re committed to seeing you succeed,\u0026rdquo; said BRE Manager Kent Spencer. \u0026ldquo;We want success, big success, coming out of WEI.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI entrepreneurs come from different backgrounds and run a variety of types of businesses. Yet everyone who presented at the Demo Day demonstrated the intelligence, drive, and willingness to take risks that any successful business owner must have.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLogan Williams is preparing to transition away from her successful towing business,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://rapidparkingsolutions.com/\"\u003eRapid Parking Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, to create an innovative 12-week academy for truck drivers. She plans to craft a well-rounded curriculum for drivers along with in-the-field training. She\u0026rsquo;ll also offer hands-on experience with other aspects of the business, such as dispatching and customer service. Logan\u0026rsquo;s main need is finding a space for her business, with an office and an outdoor training area. Spencer told her he could help her locate an available space within her budget.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTonya Hicks, who describes herself as a \u0026ldquo;mom, entrepreneur and electrician,\u0026rdquo; has started the company\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/women-do-everything/\"\u003eWomen Do Everything\u003c/a\u003e. Tonya\u0026rsquo;s company provides home repair and management services for professional women and couples in the Atlanta Metro Area. Hicks is also looking for office space and wants to hire full-time staff, with benefits. BRE coordinator Cesar Vence told her about the benefits of locating in an Opportunity Zones, as well as the Eastside TAD grants and small business loans available through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The feedback from my presentation was very good for me,\u0026rdquo; said Hicks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed first had the vision for WEI during his first campaign for mayor, and under the leadership of Executive Director Theia Washington Smith, WEI has provided the first group of entrepreneurs a high-quality workspace at the Flatiron Building, tech resources through Microsoft, and mentorship opportunities. In its first year, WEI has already become more than a brick and mortar resource\u0026mdash;it\u0026rsquo;s now a vibrant, collaborative and supportive community that will support entrepreneurs for years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and WEI will continue to support program participants as they build their companies, and both organizations are especially focused on providing the right resources to make the path to job creation more accessible for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpencer and Vence were excited to find out all of the entrepreneurs said they were planning to stay and grow, hiring locally in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to stay here and keep our business here,\u0026rdquo; said Lynn Lill of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://craftboxgirls.com/\"\u003eCraftbox Girls\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;We love Atlanta!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":105,"title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","published_date":"2017-01-30","featured_image":{"id":335,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":41531,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.371-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.542-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:35.421-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured_QgDnwml.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8HOoqw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagger International, Inc. received a $50,000 loan to update and renovate Hagger Station, their convenience store serving the Vine City and English Avenue communities. They plan to purchase new equipment for food and beverage service, as well as update existing furniture fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePamela Baker, an H\u0026amp;R Block tax return preparer and proprietor of Baker Taxx Services, is currently leasing a space on Martin Luther King Drive in southwest Atlanta. She plans to use the $50,000 loan she just closed with Invest Atlanta, along with additional bank financing, to purchase a building of her own along the MLK corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth of these entrepreneurs were assisted through the Business Improvement Loan Fund, one of seven available loan funds Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Small Business team taps to provide gap financing to business owners throughout Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his time at Invest Atlanta, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Director of Small Business Development Lonnie Saboor has worked on over 600 projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to fill the gap for good projects in the City of Atlanta that we think are deserving of financing,\u0026rdquo; said Saboor. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to make dreams come true.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmall business owners interested in learning more about working with Invest Atlanta to start or grow their business can learn more by attending the next informational seminar on Wednesday, February 22 at 5 pm. Future seminars will be held on the third Wednesday of every month.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":110,"title":"Invest Atlanta’s Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","promo_title":"Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","published_date":"2017-01-11","featured_image":{"id":343,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":30308,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:06.997-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:07.143-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:24.418-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured_7J6b4Eb.jpg","width":526,"height":394},"filename":"invest-atlantas-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ovHTYg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo;.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia in December 2016 to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo; sponsored by the U.S. Department of State\u0026rsquo;s Office of Citizen Exchange. Councilmember Kwanzaa Hall also attended as a representative of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum focused on how a developing nation like Armenia can learn how cities like Atlanta have successfully cultivated a thriving start-up and innovation ecosystem. Attendees shared some of the best practices they\u0026rsquo;ve found work best to encourage the development of local tech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdams shared how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are supporting and partnering with the start-up community, specifically through several emerging Smart City initiatives that include partnerships with tech companies to collect and analyze complex traffic data.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think the idea of collaboration between governments, large companies, and startups is where we see a lot of success,\u0026rdquo; said Adams. \u0026ldquo;Governments can\u0026rsquo;t make a startup successful, but they need to recognize that in the digital economy if you are not supporting startups you are effectively encouraging them to go elsewhere. Supporting the startups helps keep them where they started.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum was organized with support from the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia and the Digital Communication Network (DCN). The DCN is a 2,000-member group of digital professionals from Europe\u0026rsquo;s Baltic region who come together regularly to engage in cross-sector learning and information sharing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eArmenia faces immense challenges, including a limited export market, as they seek to modernize their post-Soviet economy. Officials there have turned to the internet economy as a way to \u0026ldquo;bootstrap\u0026rdquo; their way to growth. The country has been especially focused on preparing their students to thrive in the 21st century workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSam and the forum participants toured an after-school teaching facility in Gyumri that focuses on six tech-related modules, including web development and animation. They also oversaw a pitch competition and heard from tech leaders from the U.S., Israel, and the Netherlands who spoke about their experiences in tech.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Look at IT ecosystem as a community,\u0026rdquo; added Adams. \u0026ldquo;That can be anything from weekly drinks with other people in startup community who understand what you\u0026rsquo;re going through to conferences like this. Creating that sense of community and support is huge.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":128,"title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","published_date":"2016-11-21","featured_image":{"id":361,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":75760,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.129-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.288-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:38.045-05:00","filename_hash":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured_OPqgZZP.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vLrpyQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Startups from around the world pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at the first Aviation Innovation Demo Days.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from around the world had the opportunity to pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at what might be the first of many Aviation Innovation Demo Days. Held in November during the final week of the Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering their pitches to representatives from the airport, TSA, and Global Fortune 500 companies including Delta, Lufthansa, and Southwest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea is to put some interesting concepts in front of you,\u0026rdquo; said Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;Ultimately, we want to provide a platform for emerging enterprises to showcase their technologies and possibly generate new business with the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport and its leading airlines.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Innovation is about adding new value for customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures, to kick off the event. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re concerned about innovation because we want to continually add value for our 101 million passengers a year.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll six of the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators\u0026mdash;including Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), TechStars, The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), and Switchyards\u0026mdash;helped the Demo Day assemble 23 nominees. That list was then narrowed down to 11, and with input from airport and airline representatives, these 6 finalists were chosen:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://donecle.fr/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDonecle\u003c/a\u003e: Uses autonomous drones to inspect airplanes and detect defects in real-time.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.uwinloc.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUwinloc\u003c/a\u003e: Provides low-energy radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track inventory at a lower cost.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.predikto.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePredikto\u003c/a\u003e: Provides predictive analytics service that leverages data to optimize operations and flag equipment failures.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://pointivo.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePointivo\u003c/a\u003e: Creates accurate as-built drawings with a smartphone camera.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.volantio.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e: Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://verisolutions.co/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVeriSolutions\u003c/a\u003e: Installs sensors in eateries to improve food safety.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTwo of the startups, Donecle and Uwinloc, are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city of Toulouse, France. Both companies were selected to represent Toulouse in the two-week\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=1317\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAtlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;program. The other four startups are based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":131,"title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","promo_title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","published_date":"2016-11-15","featured_image":{"id":364,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":71780,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.045-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.196-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.859-05:00","filename_hash":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured_2amLgwr.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5MExAg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s FinTech businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Senior Vice President of Economic Development Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s financial technology (FinTech) businesses. He was also there to explore possibilities for those businesses to expand abroad and to encourage foreign companies to look at Atlanta as a potential site for relocation or the creation of a new branch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe festival, held from November 14-18, is being hosted jointly by the Association of Banks in Singapore and the U.S. Commercial Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 90 FinTech companies employing 30,000 people, and thanks to the industry\u0026rsquo;s large presence, the region has become known as \u0026ldquo;transaction alley.\u0026rdquo; The American Transaction Processors Coalition reports more than 60 percent of U.S. FinTech companies are located in Atlanta, and 70 percent of credit card swipes in this country\u0026mdash;85 billion transactions in total\u0026mdash;flow through Georgia every year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financial technology industry is one of those targeted industry clusters where we have a proven, significant competitive advantage,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson will be speaking on four separate panels about the industry\u0026rsquo;s growing presence in Atlanta and the resources and incentives available in the City of Atlanta to FinTech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ll talk about the close relationship FinTech companies have with educational institutions in metropolitan Atlanta, the curriculums those institutions are developing to support the industry, and the supportive ecosystem that exists here in Atlanta thanks to associates like the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC),\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson noted the FinTech Festival provides Invest Atlanta with a wonderful opportunity to further that cooperation, possibly through a visit by Singapore\u0026rsquo;s corporate and government leaders to Atlanta to discuss future partnership opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to work closely, both domestically and globally, with partners like Singapore that also have a strong FinTech industry presence,\u0026rdquo; added Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":143,"title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":375,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77732,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.084-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.231-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:13.386-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured_JjMpVVk.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kHPLAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four companies will join the two-week residency program Invest Atlanta launched with the City of Atlanta and Toulouse, France.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour companies \u0026ndash; two based in Atlanta and two in France \u0026ndash; will take part in the first Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange, a two-week residency program that Invest Atlanta has launched along with the City of Atlanta and the City of Toulouse, France.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based Carbice Nanotechnologies and Partpic, Inc., as well as French startups Donecle and Uwinloc, are the participants in the program, which will provide support resources that help these businesses obtain investment capital, seek out export opportunities and develop a business plan for international expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was instrumental in the development of the Startup Exchange, having led a trade mission to Toulouse last year that followed a City of Atlanta delegation visit to that city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eExecutives from Carbice and Partpic will take their residency at the Airbus BizLab and the CapGemini Lab\u0026rsquo;innovation, where they\u0026rsquo;ll meet with French entrepreneurs as well as top European business sector officials, investors and executives. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend emTech France 2016, an international conference that spotlights emerging technologies and brings startups together with global venture capitalists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since the overwhelming majority of global consumers are outside the United States, businesses need to export to be successful,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Startup Exchange will give Carbice and Partpic exposure to a critical mass of aerospace business innovators and a way to grow within Europe.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn November, executives from Donecle and Uwinloc will fulfill their residencies at the Garage at Tech Square and engage in programs at the Atlanta Technology Development Corporation, Sandbox, and the Consulate General of France in Atlanta. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend the annual Venture Atlanta Conference, an event that draws more than 1,000 visitors and has inspired more than $1.3 billion in startup investment since 2002.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":147,"title":"TechStars Atlanta Welcomes 10 Startups To Its Inaugural Program","promo_title":"TechStars Atlanta Welcomes 10 Startups To Its Inaugural Program","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":342,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":217989,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.712-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.922-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.877-05:00","filename_hash":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm_wjyzvEe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"techstars-atlanta-welcomes-10-startups-to-its-inaugural-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"4pICVA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.264-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.264-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n TechStars is a global startup accelerator that helps emerging technology entrepreneurs build their new businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTechStars, a global business start-up accelerator that helps emerging technology entrepreneurs build their new businesses, welcomed its inaugural Atlanta class in July at a ribbon-cutting event at Ponce City Market, the location of TechStars Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s new workspace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmerging from a field of 69 applicants drawn from six continents, the tech companies selected for TechStars\u0026rsquo; mentorship-driven, three-month program heard Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of economic development, talk about the start-up community in Atlanta and the efforts that the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have made to support entrepreneurs in launching and sustaining their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTechStars gives its class members access to investment and collaborative guidance and resources from leading entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program, intended to foster innovation and growth for the participating companies, will culminate in Demo Day, November 1, when the graduates will present their products or services to a group of media, investors and local entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe diverse class includes two companies apiece from Israel and Los Angeles, one each from Canada, Belgium and Savannah and three from Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta works through incubators to offer its services of access to capital, relocation assistance, and site selection to startups, and to broker contacts with interested companies, investors or tech talent. In the coming year, Invest Atlanta expects to arrange an ultra-low-interest $50,000 loan with a yet-to-be-chosen startup that has either relocated to Atlanta or is just beginning its business here.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":92,"title":"High Performance Computing Center to Transform Tech Square","promo_title":"High Performance Computing Center to Transform Tech Square","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":306,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77019,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:16:22.597-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:16:22.728-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:53.860-05:00","filename_hash":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square-featured_wjyz3Bm.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"cg7Kow","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:22.041-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:22.041-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n CODA, anchored by a high-performance computing center, was partially underwritten by $15 million in tax incentives approved by Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCODA, a collaborative development anchored by a high-performance computing center and partially underwritten by $15 million in tax incentives approved by Invest Atlanta, will begin construction this year on a 2-acre site at Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta. It\u0026rsquo;s expected to open by the end of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 755,000-sq. ft., $360-million mixed-use complex will bring together a critical mass of companies, technical experts, students, faculty and researchers to engage and interact in activities that include business incubation, high-level computing modeling and simulation, and technology innovation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith the computing center at the core of the development, CODA is intended to be a laboratory that accelerates the growth of startup businesses and fosters research and development efforts to create leading-edge commercial and technical solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCODA\u0026rsquo;s projected economic benefits are considerable: The Center is expected to create 2,400 jobs, and over a 20-year period it should deliver $449 million in aggregate direct, indirect and induced tax and fee revenue and have an overall economic impact of $813.8 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCODA \u0026ldquo;will solidify Georgia Tech and Atlanta as a place for startups, innovation and commercialization,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta CEO and President Dr. Eloisa Klementich at the recent project announcement ceremony, which was attended by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Georgia Tech President Dr. G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson, project architect John Portman, and Armbrish Baisiwala, CEO of Portman Holdings, the project developer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReferring to the cluster of off-campus Tech students, hotel and conference centers, business headquarters, accelerators, startups and retailers that populate the Tech Square neighborhood, Klementich said that CODA would make the surrounding community \u0026ldquo;one in which companies collaborate, no longer working in silos, but reaching out to leverage all of these sources to ensure that they remain relevant and competitive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe went on to note that roughly 3,000 people now live and work in Tech Square \u0026ldquo;but by 2019, I would venture to say there will be over 12,000 people all linked together by a common goal of either inventing the next product, innovating the next technology or building the next business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"}]}
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