As Atlanta prepares to host major global events, city leaders today announced a coordinated set of small business resources designed to help local entrepreneurs prepare for upcoming opportunities and build long-term readiness.
At City Hall, Andre Dickens joined leaders from Showcase Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Central Atlanta Progress, and other partners to highlight how Atlanta is ensuring major moments happen with Atlanta, not to Atlanta—by positioning local businesses to participate meaningfully as the city steps onto the global stage, including during the FIFA World Cup.
Small businesses are central to Atlanta’s neighborhoods and economy, and today’s announcement reflects a citywide effort to provide clearer access to capital, workforce support, technical assistance, and visibility tied to major events.
Showcase Atlanta: the front door for small businesses
At the center of this effort is Showcase Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s coordination hub for small business readiness related to major events. Showcase Atlanta brings together trusted partners, funding pathways, workforce support, and technical assistance in one place—so business owners have a clear starting point and do not need to navigate multiple systems on their own.
Business owners shared that they wanted one place to begin. Showcase Atlanta is designed to serve as that front door, helping entrepreneurs find accurate information, understand what opportunities may be coming next, and take informed steps toward participation.
Resources announced today
City and partner leaders outlined a range of tools and programs that will roll out in phases and support small businesses as opportunities emerge.
Funding and capital pathways
Small businesses will have access to funding tools and connections to participating banking and financial partners, including Citizen Trust Bank and Momentous Capital, with additional partners expected to join.
As part of this effort, Invest Atlanta has launched the Atlanta Business Readiness Loan Fund, a pilot initiative providing targeted financial support to help small businesses prepare for large, City-sponsored events.
Atlanta Business Readiness Loan Fund
- Loan amounts: $5,000 to $15,000
- Matching requirement: 5% (cash or in-kind)
- Interest rates: 3% to Prime
- Loan term: up to three years
- Eligible area: commercial corridors within the City of Atlanta
- Application fee: $100
This pilot program is designed to streamline processes and deliver capital more quickly, allowing the City and its partners to assess and improve how small businesses are supported moving forward.
Apply through Invest Atlanta: investatlanta.com/smallbusinessloans
Future Forward Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator
Showcase Atlanta will launch a new youth-focused initiative supporting young entrepreneurs with business readiness training, assistance with vendor licensing, and pathways to vend at designated City events as part of Atlanta’s long-term economic legacy.
Marketing support grants
Marketing Support Grants for small businesses will be released through Showcase Atlanta. Details and eligibility criteria will be shared as they become available.
Pop-up and vending opportunities
Pop-up and vending opportunities tied to major events will be supported through centralized vendor interest pathways, helping event organizers and partners identify local businesses for activations. This includes efforts such as the Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund, led in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress and Invest Atlanta.
Workshops and technical assistance
Showcase Atlanta will host in-person and virtual workshops covering topics such as marketing, hospitality readiness, legal considerations, and bookkeeping to help businesses build capacity over time.
Workforce Expo
A citywide Workforce Expo will take place March 5–6, connecting employers preparing for seasonal and long-term hiring needs with job seekers interested in roles tied to upcoming major events.
Online Small Business Readiness tools
Businesses can access online readiness tools through Showcase Atlanta, including a free, 10-minute assessment that helps owners understand which resources best fit their needs.
Partner efforts across the city
Through this coordinated approach:
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Invest Atlanta is administering the Atlanta Business Readiness Loan Fund.
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Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is working with Showcase Atlanta and City partners to activate the BeltLine corridor with local businesses, pop-ups, and cultural experiences tied to major events.
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Central Atlanta Progress, in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Showcase Atlanta, is advancing the Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund to help activate vacant storefronts ahead of the World Cup and other large-scale events.
How to get started
Atlanta-based businesses interested in learning more are encouraged to begin with Showcase Atlanta:
- Sign up to stay connected and receive updates at showcaseatlanta.com/get-involved
- Join the Showcase Atlanta Vendor Directory
- Take the 10-minute Small Business Readiness Assessment
- Register for relevant workshops and events as they are announced
Participation in programs and access to opportunities are not guaranteed; however, these tools are designed to help businesses become more visible, informed, and prepared as opportunities roll out in phases.
Full program details, eligibility criteria, and application timelines will be available through ShowcaseAtlanta.com and partner websites as resources continue to launch.
