Start:ME Atlanta

08/14/2026

Atlanta, we have an announcement to make… 👀🚨

Okay... you won’t actually see a Start:ME billboard on your commute.. BUT you will see Start:ME 2027 applications opening on September 1st! 🎉

That’s less than 3 weeks away!

Start:ME supports entrepreneurs in Clarkston, East Lake, Southside, and Westside Atlanta through a free 14-session accelerator designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and connect with their communities.

📅 Applications open September 1–October 1
📝 Info sessions + workshops coming soon

Got questions? Check out our FAQs at startmeatl.org/apply 🔗

Consider this your sign to apply soon. 👀🛣️

07/22/2026

Some places become more than restaurants; they become part of your story. 💙

As 's serves its final week, we're taking a moment to celebrate Chef Viv, our 2021 Southside Start:ME alum, and the incredible impact she's had on our community.

Over the years, Leftie Lee's has been the backdrop for so many special moments with our team. We've celebrated new beginnings over lunch, learned how to make dumplings with Chef Viv, catered our 10-year Start:ME Anniversary celebration, and gathered with fellow entrepreneurs in her welcoming space.

Today, we stopped by one more time, not to say goodbye, but to say see you later! Looking back at a photo of Chef Viv from her Start:ME days reminded us just how far she's come.

Thank you, Chef Viv and Leftie Lee's, for the meals, the memories, and the community you've built. We'll be cheering you on wherever your next chapter leads. 💙

07/13/2026

Start:ME has been making headlines! 🎉

Over the past few months, we've been featured in stories celebrating our entrepreneurs, community partnerships, and the impact of the Start:ME program.

Recent highlights include:
📰 A feature from FCS celebrating our Southside entrepreneurs.
📰 A story from Emory Business spotlighting our 2026 Start:ME cohort and the impact they're making.

Want to catch up on the latest? Visit startmeatl.org/blog to explore our collection of articles, interviews, and media features.

07/03/2026

Here's our final group of Start:ME 2026 grant winners from the Southside cohort! 🥳

Thanks to our incredible partners, and , for helping deliver the program and award $16,500 in peer-selected grant capital and awards to support these growing businesses.

Congratulations to:

🥕 Kemi of
👩‍🦽‍➡️ Radhiya of
✨ A***n of
🏠 Sherry of House of Lux Designs
🖌️ Antonio of .paintsatl

Congratulations to all of our Southside entrepreneurs! We can't wait to see what's next for each of you. 💙

07/01/2026

Ignited by community, empowered through unity. ✨

Each year, one entrepreneur from each Start:ME cohort is selected to represent their community and deliver a cohort message at graduation. Together, they choose a theme that reflects the shared journey of the graduating class.

This year's theme reminds us that while every entrepreneurial journey is unique, growth happens through community. By sharing knowledge, celebrating wins, and supporting one another, this year's graduates showed that success is even more meaningful when it's built together.

Thank you to Blanca of 2Bakers, Britni of Educators' Exchange, Genee' of Party Wat3r, and Radhiya of Soul Roller Rimz for representing Clarkston, East Lake, Southside, and Westside cohorts with such authenticity.

As Britni shared, "This graduation is not the finish line. It's a starting point for our next chapter... and for the community we will continue to build together."

Here's to the Start:ME Class of 2026! 🎓🚀

06/26/2026

Applications Open for Beltline Business Ventures: https://beltline.org/work/small-business/beltline-business-ventures-application/

Applications Open Until July 3rd

Atlanta’s small businesses help drive the culture and energy of the city, and Beltline Business Ventures (BBV) is designed to support businesses ready for their next stage of growth.

Applications are now open for the next BBV cohort, a free accelerator launched by the Atlanta Beltline Business Solutions Office in partnership with The Center by Lendistry and CVM Worldwide. The program helps established businesses strengthen operations and prepare for future brick-and-mortar opportunities along the Atlanta Beltline.

Apply to be apart of the next cohort of the Beltline Business Ventures

06/23/2026

This marks our second year serving the Westside community, and it has been incredible to witness the impact these entrepreneurs are creating through their businesses and in their neighborhoods.

A special thank you to for partnering with us once again to bring this program to the community and support local entrepreneurs on their journey. We’re excited to continue celebrating and investing in their success! 👏✨

Grants Recipients 💰
💈Brit of @.braidcompany
🥤Genee' of
📚 Marrielle of
🎭 Senitra of
📸 Cameron of

📸 Photos by

Introducing the grant winners for the Start:ME Westside cohort! This is our second year serving the Westside, and we have loved seeing the impact these entreprerns are creating in their communities! Thank you to for partnering with us to bring this program to the community again! 🎉

06/16/2026

We had a fantastic time partnering with 21st Century Leaders to present Start:ME NextGen! This program, part of 21st Century Leaders’ Summer Youth Leadership Institute, empowers Georgia high schoolers to embrace diversity, explore careers, and build leadership skills.

Hosted at Goizueta Business School, Start:ME NextGen offers students across Georgia a day of entrepreneurship and innovation exploration. They delve into activities such as identifying business models, consulting mentors, and pitching ideas to judges.

A big thanks to our amazing Start:ME mentors for generously sharing their time and expertise!

06/08/2026

Sharing our grant winners for the East Lake cohort! In partnership with the East Lake Foundation , we distributed $16.5k in grant capital and awards. These peer-selected awards recognize the top-rated ventures as chosen by their fellow entrepreneurs! 🎉💙

Grants Recipients 💰
✒️ Monea and Steven of @2.inked
🎈Uso of
🧘‍♀️Subarna of Shakti Aging & Wellness Solutions
🌱Jenn of
🧱Ashanti of

📸 Photos by

Shop our 2026 Start:ME Cohort: https://www.startmeatl.org/shopping-guide

06/02/2026

Join us in celebrating grant investments for the Clarkston cohort! In partnership with , we distributed $16.5k in grant capital and awards. These peer-selected awards recognize the top-rated ventures as chosen by their fellow entrepreneurs!🎉💙

Grant Recipients 💰
💸 Eber and Sasha of Soren Group
🍴 Miriam of Al Chef ()
🫚 Sharan of Sumthin About Spice ()
🍎 Cheryl of Ginny's Apples ()
🧃 Tiffany of G Ann's Cold Pressed (@)

📸 Photos by

Shop our 2026 Start:ME Cohort: startmeatl.org/shopping-guide