As Atlanta prepares to host major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, the City of Atlanta, in partnership with Showcase Atlanta and key economic development partners, announced a coordinated set of small business resources designed to help Atlanta entrepreneurs prepare, connect and compete, now and for the long term.

The announcement underscores the City’s commitment to ensuring major moments happen with Atlanta, not to Atlanta, by positioning local businesses to participate meaningfully in the opportunities ahead.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods and our economy,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “As Atlanta steps onto the global stage, we are focused on making sure our entrepreneurs have access to the tools, information, and partnerships they need to succeed, during these major events and well beyond them.”

At the center of this effort is Showcase Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s coordination hub for small business readiness related to major events. Showcase Atlanta brings together trusted partners, funding pathways, workforce support and technical assistance in one place, so business owners have a clear starting point and avoid navigating multiple systems on their own.

“Business owners told us they did not want 10 different websites or disconnected programs; they wanted one place to start,” said Lamar Stewart, Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. “Showcase Atlanta is that front door. Whether it is access to capital, workforce support, resources to learn how to scale or upcoming opportunities, this is where businesses can find accurate information and take the next step.”

Resources Announced Include:

• Funding and Capital Pathways, including connections to participating banking and financial partners such as Citizen Trust Bank and Momentous Capital, with additional partners expected to join
  
  
• Future Forward Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator, a new initiative supporting young entrepreneurs through business readiness training, support with vendor licensing and pathways to vend at designated City events as part of Atlanta’s long-term economic legacy
  
  
• Marketing Support Grants for small businesses, with details and eligibility criteria to be released through Showcase Atlanta
  
  
• Pop-up and vending opportunities tied to major events and supported by centralized vendor interest pathways to help event organizers and partners identify local businesses for activations tied to major events.
  
  
• In-person workshops and technical assistance, covering topics such as marketing, hospitality readiness, legal considerations and bookkeeping
  
  
• Workforce Expo on March 5-6, connecting employers preparing for seasonal and long-term hiring needs with job seekers
  
  
• Online Small Business Readiness tools, including a 10-minute assessment to help businesses understand what resources best fit their needs

Participation in programs and access to opportunities are not guaranteed; however, these tools are designed to help businesses become more visible, informed, and prepared as opportunities roll out in phases.

How to Get Started

Atlanta-based businesses are encouraged to:

1. Sign up to stay connected and receive updates from Showcase Atlanta at https://showcaseatlanta.com/get-involved
   
   
2. Join the Showcase Atlanta Vendor Directory
   
   
3. Take the 10-minute Business Readiness Assessment
   
   
4. Register for relevant workshops and events

Partner Highlights:

Through this coordinated effort:

• Invest Atlanta has launched the Atlanta Business Readiness Loan Fund, a pilot initiative providing targeted financial support to help small businesses prepare for major events.
  
  
• Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is working with Showcase Atlanta and City partners to help activate the BeltLine corridor with local businesses, pop-ups and cultural experiences tied to major events, creating visibility and economic opportunity for Atlanta-based entrepreneurs while enhancing the visitor experience citywide.
  
  
• Central Atlanta Progress, in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Showcase Atlanta, is advancing the Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund to help locally owned businesses activate vacant storefronts ahead of the World Cup and other large-scale events.

Full program details, eligibility criteria, and application timelines will be available through ShowcaseAtlanta.com and partner websites.