Small Business Resources
This small business resource list is created to help you start or expand your business. It includes links and references to programs and business services geared to help your business thrive.
Startup Checklist
Starting a business can be an exciting and challenging endeavor. To achieve success, it is important to become familiar with basic requirements in Georgia. The following checklist provides basic requirements for starting a business but may not be comprehensive.
- Select business structure
- Write a business plan
- Choose a business name
- Obtain a tax identification number
- Register your business with the state
- Establish a relationship with a bank
- Establish a relationship with an accountant, if needed
- Establish a relationship with an attorney, if needed
- Obtain the appropriate type of insurance (liability, life, health, etc.)
- Setup financial record keeping
- Obtain personal property tax information
- Register your business trade name
- Obtain federal, state, county and local tax information
- Check county and local zoning requirements
- Check state and local license requirements
- Obtain and complete your application for a Georgia business license
For detailed information regarding each topic visit the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The Secretary of State is responsible for the administration of secure, accessible and fair election; registration of corporations; regulation of charities and securities; and oversight of professional license holders.
Find basic federal tax information for starting a business, as well as, information to assist in making basic business decisions at the Internal Revenue Service- Small Business and Self-employed Tax Center.
Learn about occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, unemployment taxes and benefits.
US Small Business Administration
The SBA provides financial, technical and management assistance to start, run and grow businesses through four programmatic functions: Access to Capital, Entrepreneurial Development, Government Contracting and Advocacy.
Georgia District Office - 233 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 1900 - Atlanta, GA - 404.331.0100
The US Patent & Trademark Office promotes the progress of science and useful art by securing the exclusive right to authors and inventors’ writings and discoveries for a limited time.
US Copyright is an office of public record for copyright registration and deposit of copyright material.
Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Small and Disadvantaged Utilization
Social Security Administration (SSA) fosters the use of small and disadvantage businesses as Federal contractors by developing and implementing outreach programs aimed at heightening awareness of the small business community to the contracting opportunities available within SSA.
E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is free and easy to use.
System for Award Management (SAM)
SAM is an official website of the U.S. government. SAM combines federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one network.
SCORE Atlanta provides face-to-face mentoring at locations around the metropolitan area.
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Women's Business Center
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) is a nonprofit community lender, specializing in small-business loans coupled with business advisory services.
The Edge Connection, SBA's Women's Business Center
Women’s Business Center offers free consultations with a variety of subject matter to help you establish a thriving business.
The Operation HOPE Small Business Empowerment Program is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs from low-wealth neighborhoods. They combine business training and financial counseling with lending services to program participants.
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. The SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community.
DeKalb UGA SBDC Office - 2296 Henderson Mill Road, Suite 404B - Atlanta, GA - 770.404.3110
Start:ME Accelerator is a free, intensive 14-week business accelerator for small businesses (businesses with 1-4 employees) that provides business training, mentorship support and loan fund capital needed to develop their businesses.
DeKalb County's Community Development Small Business Loan Program
The Small Business Loan Program can be used to make direct loans to small businesses as well as offer financing for working capital to companies located in, moving to or expanding within DeKalb. Minimum loan is $15,000 and maximum loan is $35,000. Click here to download an informational brochure.
General Small Business Loans: 7a Loan Program
The 7(a) Loan Program is SBA’s primary program for helping start-up and existing small businesses, with financing for a variety of general business purposes.
Small Business Access Partners (SBAP)
SBAP works with small businesses in partnership with banks to provide SBA 504 loans and other economic development loans.
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), is a nonprofit community lender, specializing in small-business loans coupled with business advisory services.
Georgia Certified Development Corporation (GCDC)
GCDC is a lending source certified by the SBA to offer 504 loans.
The Microloan program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and non-profit childcare centers start up and expand.
SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes to repair or replace items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.
Blueprint Financial Group assists small business owners identify funding.
Lift Fund is a nonprofit that helps finance new small businesses and startup companies.
TechSquare Labs is an incubator and seed fund that operates coworking and corporation innovation space in Technology Square.
DeKalb Small Business Development Center
All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center
Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center assists business owners in forms of teaching mentoring and coaching. They also provide electronic tools to research and identify government contracts.
Georgia Manufacturing Partnership (GaMEP)
GaMEP offers coaching and education designed to help manufacturers grow and stay competitive.
Advanced Technology Department Center (ATDC)
ATDC supports technology-based startups across many industries where innovation is taking place.
Minority Business Development Agency Business Center
Minority Business Development Agency Business Center provides technical assistance to emerging and existing Minority Business Enterprise Manufacturers.
System for Award Management (SAM)
SAM is an official website of the U.S. government. SAM combines federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one network.
DeKalb County Business License and Permits
The State of Georgia permits counties to license for both revenue and regulation. Any person who wishes to conduct any business with unincorporated DeKalb County either directly or indirectly must secure a business license.
DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability
The Department of Planning & Sustainability assists citizens in obtaining building permits.
WSD provides workforce investment activities through statewide and local investment systems that increase employment, retention and earning of participants.
The DeKalb Chamber provides resources through partnerships and affiliations that can assist business owners with business plans, administration, regulations and much more.
Women's Employment Opportunity Project (WEOP)
WEOP promotes the advancement of women through strategic partnerships with federal agencies, companies, businesses and corporations to connect participants to prime and sub contract opportunities.
Minority Business Development Agency Business Center
The Minority Business Development Agency Business Center provides technical assistance to emerging and existing Minority Business Enterprise Manufacturers.
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), SBA's Women's Business Center
ACE specializes in small-business loans coupled with business advisory services through long-term classes, workshops, seminars and one-on-one counselling. All services are offered in Spanish and English.
The Edge Connection, SBA's Women's Business Center
Women’s Business Center offers free consultations with a variety of subject matter to help you establish a thriving business.
Urban League of Greater Atlanta Entrepreneurship Center
The Entrepreneurship Center (TEC) works with private, public and nonprofit resources to build strong, sustainable and successful minority businesses. The result will be wealth creation, job creation and better economic health in the minority and urban core communities of Atlanta.
Open for Business is both a community for women business owners and a collaborative work space where women can work, meet and learn.
Start Up Chicks empowers women entrepreneurs through education, coaching and community connections.
Greater Women's Business Council
The Greater Women’s Business Council is the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses.
National Association for Women's Business Owners (NAWBO)
NAWBO empowers business owners to thrive through connection, resources and support.
The Atlanta Business League fosters growth, creation and development of successful enterprises owned, operated and managed by minorities.
Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
The SBA's WOSB Federal Contract Program provides greater access to federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).
Economically Disadvantanged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
If you are a small disadvantaged business, you may be eligible to compete for certain federal contracting opportunities.
8(a) Business Development Program
Learn how SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace.
Historically Underutilized Business Zones
The HUBZone program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.
Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC)
GMSDC is the State of Georgia's leading advocacy agency for small business development and supplier diversity.
WEI functions as an incubator for selected participants while also providing community outreach, educational workshops and mentorship engagement to aspiring business owners and future entrepreneurs.
The Center for Civic Innovation helps local governments and nonprofits find, test, and invest in new or different ways to tackle local social challenges by supporting and investing in people and organizations who are already on the ground with products or services that make the public sector more effective.
An innovative, private, members-only city club that brings together a motivated and diverse community of professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs.
Open for Business is both a community for women business owners and a collaborative work space where women can work, meet and learn.
Foster is a space where fellow creatives work alongside each other. They are creating opportunities for creatives in Atlanta through educational resources, small business support, and deep community.
TechSquare Labs is a network of technical startup founders, educational institutions, industry experts, and large enterprises working together to construct big, meaningful companies.
Industrious is a co-working office space in Atlanta Ponce City Market.
Atlanta Tech Village is a collaborative office space for startups.
Roam is a meeting and gathering space for the new workforce.
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