Another cohort of Atlanta micro-business owners has graduated from Goizueta Business School’s Start:ME Accelerator. This free, four-month intensive program provides business training and mentorship, culminating in the award of grant investment capital.
This year, 68 ventures completed the accelerator.
The May graduation ceremony featured catering, photography, music, and other services provided by program alumni.
The ceremony also included an announcement from organizers of the TOUR Championship, a golf tournament hosted by the PGA: a gift of $7.2M to Atlanta-area nonprofits. While Start:ME is not a direct recipient, the funds support its core partners—organizations that work year-round to build vibrant, resilient communities.
“We’re part of an interconnected network. We want our partners to be successful in the work that they do around economic empowerment, education, and affordable housing,” says Erin Igleheart, program director of the Start:ME Accelerator. “Their success allows us to partner with them to build and tailor a local program around local entrepreneurial needs. We’re happy to celebrate alongside them.”
A New Neighborhood
Since its creation in 2013, Start:ME has supported microentrepreneurs in underserved Atlanta communities, including Clarkston, East Lake, and South Atlanta. This year, the program added a fourth site: Northwest Atlanta.
“The Northwest program is a really interesting and exciting one,” shares Igleheart. “We’re now in four different communities, including all three local Purpose Built Communities.”
Purpose Built Communities is a nonprofit that partners with local organizations and residents to “transform neighborhoods, prioritizing upward mobility and health outcomes.” They have a cradle-to-college model that aims to support locals from birth through college or career.
Start:ME’s community partners include the East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Purpose Built School Atlanta, and now the Grove Park Foundation. Additional supporters and partners joining Start:ME in 2025 included Friends of Refugees, Bank of America, PNC Bank, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation. Almost 300 volunteers, including 100 committed business mentors, also supported the program.
To spread the word about the new Northwest program, the Start:ME team held info sessions, led workshops, and attended local business owner association meetings. Interest quickly exceeded capacity: they received more than 90 applications for just 15-18 available spots.
Ian Elmore-Moore, program director of Glaciers Italian Ice, secured one of those coveted spots. During the graduation ceremony, he delivered part of the cohort message to the crowd.
“We’re just grateful to be a part of this amazing program and to be the first cohort coming from Northwest Atlanta,” he shared.
Elmore-Moore described the entrepreneurs in Northwest Atlanta—and the entire program—as problem-solvers; people who respond to community challenges like abandoned buildings, poverty, or inadequate housing with real solutions that support the local economy.
2025 Start:ME Grant and Award Recipients
This year, 32 ventures received peer-selected grants and awards totaling $66,000.
Start:ME Grow Grants ($4-5K)
• Alex of Madre Garcia’s (East Lake)
• Danielle and Ren of Weflection (Southside)
• Ian of Glaciers Italian Ice (Northwest)
• Kathy of Daydream (Clarkston)
• Melissa of East Lake Smiles Pediatric Dentistry (East Lake)
• Nadia of Go Juicy (Clarkston)
• Paco of Paco Tacos ATL (Northwest)
• RaKya and Deon of HUMBLE Tutoring (Southside)
Start:ME Start Grants ($1-3K)
• Calvin of H.E.R.O.E.S. (Southside)
• Clarke of Lady Bites (Southside)
• Emad and Shahad of Metro Atlanta Kitchen Supplies (Clarkston)
• Everest of Salubrious Designs Co. (Southside)
• Jade of High School Homeschool Hub (Northwest)
• Jaida of JL Sustainability (East Lake)
• Karisa of Holistic Education Services (Northwest)
• Lenny of 5 Stripes Merch (East Lake)
• Meena of Meenova Dream Work Photography (Clarkston)
• Solomon of Elevated Animations (Northwest)
• Taha of Builders Tech (Clarkston)
• Wigasi of Con/Artists Talent (East Lake)
Community Impact, Peer-of-the-Year, and Resilience Awards of $500
• Amber of Bourgeoisie Pâtisserie (East Lake)
• Diana of RobynHoodz Beauty (Northwest)
• Elena of Bless The Body (Southside)
• Emory of HomeStar Karaoke (Southside)
• Jelaine of Champions United Housing (Northwest)
• Latrice of Cory’s Spot (Northwest)
• Laurel of AfroElite (Clarkston)
• Leyla of Hair By Leyla (Clarkston)
• Sanchez of Sweets Sweets (East Lake)
• Tashi of Cosmic Nine (East Lake)
• Tola of Devn (Southside)
• Trinita & Treneisha of Ladybug for Girls (Clarkston)
To learn more about each of the 2025 participating businesses, Start:ME created a new shopping guide, featuring products and services providing by this year’s cohort members. Shop small and shop local at www.startmeatl.org/shopping-guide.
Enjoy more scenes from the 2025 Start:ME graduation celebration below:
