The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, a city of Atlanta-sponsored women’s business incubator, has launched in the historic Flatiron Building at 84 Peachtree St. NW in downtown Atlanta.
The program is an effort of the city and the Invest Atlanta economic development authority. It already has enrolled its first class of 15 women, who over 15 months will access to business education, capital and support services. The AJC previously reported the city plans to spend about $1 million to start the incubator, a longtime goal of Mayor Kasim Reed.
“Our region ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for the number of women-owned firms” – 203,000 in the metro region, according to the initiative – “and our unique incubator will help even more women here succeed,” said WEI Executive Director Theia Washington Smith.
The WEI advisory board is chaired by Home Depot Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome. Applications for the next class of 15 women, to be chosen through a competitive selection process, are expected in early 2017.
Information: www.weiatlanta.com
