I own a minority-owned tech business in Atlanta. What city and state programs exist for me?

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Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Center

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GMSDC

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Business to business service

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Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

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Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Center

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Yes. For a minority-owned tech company based in Atlanta, there are several City of Atlanta and State of Georgia programs worth pursuing, particularly if you're interested in government contracts, corporate supplier opportunities, financing, or technical assistance.

City of Atlanta

The main starting point is the City of Atlanta Office of Contract Compliance (OCC). It administers the city's Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) and Small Business Opportunity (SBO) programs. Certification can position qualifying minority-owned firms for participation goals on applicable city contracts, including work associated with general city departments, aviation, and watershed. Importantly, certification isn't required merely to bid on city work, but it can matter for contracts covered by these programs.

Atlanta Georgia

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City of Atlanta Office of Contract Compliance

For a tech company, I'd pay particular attention to City solicitations involving IT services, software, cybersecurity, cloud/data work, systems integration, consulting, and professional services.

The City also points businesses toward Invest Atlanta, Atlanta's economic-development…

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Named: Atlanta, City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, Morehouse College

Sources cited: mapbox.com, atlantaga.gov, doas.ga.gov

Claude

Here's the landscape, split by who administers what. One thing to know up front: the certification-and-contracting side of this has been shifting a lot over the past 18 months, so I've flagged what's changed.

City of Atlanta

EBO/SBO certification (Office of Contract Compliance). This is the main one. You first have to register as a City of Atlanta supplier, then apply for Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) certification and/or Small Business Opportunity (SBO) certification. EBO subtypes include African American Business Enterprise (AABE), Asian/Pacific Islander American (APABE), Hispanic American (HABE), Native American (NABE), and Female (FBE). Supplier registration happens at atlsuppliers.com and is a prerequisite — people frequently skip it and stall.

Dbegoodfaith

The practical value: the city's current EBO participation goal is 35%, made up of a 25% minority goal and a 10% female goal, and the city reports it's meeting that target. Goals apply to prime contracts and subcontracts, so certification makes you findable by primes bidding city work — the city maintains a searchable database of certified firms that bidders use to build subcontractor plans. For a tech firm, the relevant NAICS buckets are IT services, software, cybersecurity, and professional/technical services rather than the construction trades that dominate the certified pool — which can actually work in your favor on availability.

AJC

New and Emerging Technology Business Tax Waiver. Not minority-specific,…

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Named: City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Atlanta, ATDC, Georgia Tech, Houston

Sources cited: dbegoodfaith.com, ajc.com, investatlanta.com, atlantaga.gov, doas.ga.gov, georgia.org, dor.georgia.gov, georgiambdabusinesscenter.org

Gemini

As a minority tech founder in Atlanta, you operate in one of the most active hub ecosystems for diverse entrepreneurs.

1. City of Atlanta Programs & Funding

Invest Atlanta Initiatives

Invest Atlanta—the city’s official economic development authority—runs tailored capital programs for small, minority-owned, and tech businesses:

Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGLP): Part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, this initiative targets tech startups located in the City of Atlanta. It provides loans ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to fund major assets like technology, infrastructure, commercial space, and equipment.

Atlanta, GA

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Invest Atlanta Small Business Loan Programs: Flexible gap financing and technical support specifically tailored for small, minority-, and women-owned businesses (MBE/WBE) looking to expand or relocate within city limits.

Invest Atlanta

ATLinBusiness & Resource Centers: Offers free 1-on-1 consultations, starter kits, and technical support workshops tailored for local entrepreneurs.

atlinbusiness.com

City Procurement & Supplier Diversity

City of Atlanta Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program: The Mayor’s Office of Contract Compliance certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). Getting EBO-certified opens up subcontracting and prime contracting requirements on municipal tech and infrastructure projects.

2. State of Georgia Programs & Ecosystem Support

Certification & Contracting

Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC):…

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Named: City of Atlanta, Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Tech, ATDC, Emory University

Sources cited: atlinbusiness.com, georgiambdabusinesscenter.org

Perplexity

Yes. For a minority-owned technology business located in the City of Atlanta, the strongest public options are typically a combination of (1) city supplier/diversity certification and procurement access, (2) Invest Atlanta growth and startup lending, and (3) Georgia state certification plus technology-commercialization support. These are generally loans, contracting opportunities, technical assistance, or grant-writing support—not unrestricted operating grants.

atlantaga

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City of Atlanta programs

Program What it can do Best fit

City of Atlanta Office of Contract Compliance (OCC) diversity programs Obtain a City Supplier ID and pursue City diversity certifications; certified firms appear in databases used by prime contractors seeking small, minority-, and female-owned subcontractors for City work. Tech consultancies, software vendors, IT services firms, cybersecurity businesses, digital agencies, and companies that can sell to government or prime contractors.

atlantaga

Invest Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program Provides direct startup loans of $50,000–$150,000 for asset acquisition or upgrades. The business must address a critical technology-based problem with societal impact; terms can run up to five years, with a six-month payment deferment, no required collateral, and no personal guarantee required. Product-based or scalable tech startups with a clear use of proceeds and growth plan.

investatlanta

Invest Atlanta Accelerate / incubator-style financing Offers…

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Named: City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia

Sources cited: atlantaga.gov, investatlanta.com, georgia.org, research.uga.edu, doas.ga.gov, mbda.gov, sbir.gov, georgiasbdc.org, quickbooks.intuit.com, naacp.org, nerdwallet.com, growgeorgia.com, dbegoodfaith.com, georgia.thegrantportal.com, atlantablackchambers.org, ambergrantsforwomen.com, gta.georgia.gov, innovate.gatech.edu, atdc.org, mwbe.chathamcountyga.gov, evagarland.com