Entrepreneurs and small business startups benefited from a workshop led by experts from the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).
Co-sponsored by Make Startups and theClubhou.se, the specialists explained the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) processes. The federal grant programs help fund startups and small businesses while owners maintain full ownership of their companies.
“When I first saw that it was the SBIR, I’m a little familiar with them because I used to work for a national Chamber of Commerce. So, when I saw that, I felt I have to be here because I’m no longer with that chamber, and I’m interested in moving forward with the business idea,” explained Warren Richard, an entrepreneur looking to turn his idea into reality.
Tiffany Rainey told ABD she anticipated the workshop could help her move forward with her startup, Small Town Storefronts.
“It’s a marketplace for commercial properties in small towns, so kind of like a Zillow, but for shops, historic towns, or properties in smaller towns,” she said, adding the expertise of ATDC was another reason to attend.
“It’s difficult in areas outside of Metro Atlanta to get the resources that are needed for things that are especially more technologically centered. So, it’s nice that they’re able to travel and come out to the region, so that everybody has access to the same knowledge and opportunities, she said.”
While Richard and Rainey were looking for ways to get their ideas off the ground, La Tunya Goodwin is looking to grow her business.
“I am a workforce advocate. I served as a workforce director. I’m a president of a workforce Association, and I’m contracting with Make Startups right now,” she explained. “The connection between ATDC and entrepreneurship is so strong, and this is a gap that we have in the workforce that’s not being addressed. And just as Tiffany had mentioned, to have this opportunity and access outside of the metro Atlanta area is so beneficial.”
Her goal is to learn how to assist individuals looking to help close the gap.
“I’m hoping to see what the connections are between the public workforce system, where there are eligible training providers, so that people who are interested in taking Make Startup courses can get the appropriate funding eligibility to do so,” said Goodwin.
While Richard, Rainey, and Goodwin had separate goals, all three agreed theClubhou.se in the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center provided a valuable central location to learn.
“I feel like theClubhou.se is a good resource to get information about what funding might be available, or actual guidance and like how to launch a business,” said Rainey. “From setting up, mine is online, so setting up a technology business to also getting customers.”
“theClubhou.se and Make Startups are one of the few that’s here in the area that are doing the type of work,” echoed Goodwin. “And just as Tiffany had mentioned, to have this opportunity and access outside of the metro area is so beneficial.”
“I wrote an article for the American Planning Association focused on the innovation of the Cyber Center. Absolutely, I know the benefit of having this location,” added Richard. “Not only just to be able to network and to have the different agencies within the building, is just a great opportunity for collaboration.”
More information on ATDC is available at https://atdc.org/
To learn about theClubhou.se, visit https://www.theclubhou.se/
And Make Startups is at https://www.makestartups.com/
