While there are no state grants available for small business start ups, there are many lending opportunities including your local banks. Here is Georgia’s list of traditional and alternative funding:
For a complete guide to Georgia’s business and economic development funding resources, click here.
Entrepreneur & Small Business Loan Guarantee Program provides new financial programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural Georgia.
Strategic Loan Program targets Georgia’s strategic industries and emerging or development-stage companies.
Federal loan & grant programs
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a wealth of valuable business-related information offering a range of assistance to start or grow your business.
Georgia's Regional Development Centers (RDCs) offer small business loan assistance, gap financing that may include SBA 504, and 7(a) loans, Revolving Loan Funds, Rural Loan Funds and USDA Business & Industry Loans.
Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.
Federal Grant Programs will help people who are thinking of starting or expanding a small business.
Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides export loan guarantee programs for agriculture export.
Technology Angels
Atlanta Technology Angels (ATA) is a private group, founded in 1998, that actively seeks investments in early-stage technology companies based in Atlanta. ATA is an active source of private capital and business experience to local technology entrepreneurs.
Micro Loans
Micro Lenders provide small loans up to $35,000 for businesses with five or fewer employees, annual sales of less than $100,000. They target firms to which traditional sources of capital may be inaccessible.
Rural Business Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development offers loan and grant programs to small and emerging businesses to create and retain jobs. They also provide technical assistance to communities.
Foundations in Georgia
Click here for links to various foundations and non-profit opportunities.