Showcase Atlanta Opens Applications for Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Showcase Atlanta, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of One Atlanta, has officially opened applications for the Showcase Atlanta Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator, a competitive program designed to sharpen the business models of the city’s next generation of leaders.
As part of Mayor Andre Dickens’ commitment to ensuring major global events happen with Atlanta, not to Atlanta, the accelerator connects young entrepreneurs to the tools and funding needed to participate in the city's long-term economic legacy. The program is specifically built for serious founders who are already operating a business or have a clearly developed product or service ready for the market.
“Every year in Atlanta is the Year of the Youth, because our young people are not just our future—they are already building it. The Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator is about matching that ambition with real tools, mentorship and investment,” said Mayor Dickens. “As we prepare to welcome the world, this program ensures our young founders are not watching history happen around them but actively shaping Atlanta’s economic legacy for years to come.”
"The Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator is one of several legacy programs initiated through our city's FIFA Human Rights Action Plan,” said Candace Stanciel, Chief Impact Officer for the City & co-lead for the program. “Leveraging the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience means ensuring Atlantans benefit today, and more importantly, beyond the Games."
Program Highlights & Rewards:
- ●Five-Week Business Development: Selected participants will engage in structured training from March 14 to April 18, 2026, covering market validation, revenue modeling, and branding.
- ●Grant Funding: The program culminates in a live pitch competition where winners will receive a portion of $30,000 in grant funding for legitimate business expenses.
- ●FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vending Opportunities: Selected winners will have the unique opportunity to serve as vendors for their products or services during the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
- ●Ongoing Mentorship: All participants will retain access to the Boost! Youth Curriculum through July 31, 2026.
How to Apply: Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21 and either live in the City of Atlanta or have a business registered within the city. Applications are open starting today, February 23, 2026, and must be submitted through the Showcase Atlanta website by March 9, 2026.
“In every neighborhood, there are young founders with the vision to change the game. This program is our way of saying that your hustle belongs on the global stage,” said Lamar Stewart, Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. “We want the world to see the talent and culture that was born right here in our streets, and we’re providing the capital and the platform to make sure that brilliance is part of Atlanta's permanent legacy.”
To learn more and apply, visit: https://showcaseatlanta.com/youth.
