Savannah Welcomes First Ever Group to its Business Accelerator Program

Savannah, GA – The City of Savannah Economic Development Department, in collaboration with The Creative Coast and the Small Business Assistance Corporation, celebrated the arrival of the inaugural class of “Launch Savannah”.

The program is a new business accelerator project, in the form of an intense, in-person 12-week series. With the goal of cultivating small, local, and minority-owned businesses, it promises an elevated entrepreneurial learning experience for its participants.

The birth of Launch Savannah is an output of the recommendation from the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Task Force. Accordingly, it showcases strong commitment to promoting equity and access to opportunities for all the entrepreneurs of Savannah. Applications for this unprecedented opportunity were opened during the 2024 Mayor’s Small Business Conference in late April.

Overwhelming Response and Rigorous Selection

The response to the program was impressive, attracting over 100 applications. The selection process included entrepreneurs submitting pitch videos about their business idea or venture. These were later reviewed by a panel as part of the selection criteria.

The initial class of Launch Savannah is composed of 15 entrepreneur powerhouses from various industries that have demonstrated their vision and capabilities on the selection board. To give an idea of the diverse range of businesses involved, the list includes:

• The Y Bar owned by Mahogany Bowers
• Serve N Serve Express Services by Omar Akbar
• The Scented Vine launched by Amber Epperson
• IOA Enterprises, LLC operated by Iman Atiba
• Sweets and Treats run by Charlese McCoy-Hall

And many others promising a significant boost in innovation and development for Savannah’s local economy.

A New Era for Savannah’s Economy

This program is a clear testament to Savannah’s commitment to nurturing and promoting small and local businesses as an integral part of the city’s economy. The city administration, by this initiative, is aiming to uplift the economic development of the region by fostering local talent and encouraging entrepreneurship significantly.

As Launch Savannah embarks on their inaugural run, it is believed there is a brighter future promising more prospects for other interested participants in the subsequent years. For aspiring and current entrepreneurs in Savannah, it’s safe to say, “The stage is set. The ascent begins here.”

Courtesy: HERE News