Retail Ready: Business Accelerator

Atlanta Downtown’s “Retail Ready” Business Accelerator program is designed to empower product-based businesses to transition into storefront locations within Downtown Atlanta. Through a comprehensive curriculum and grant support, participants will gain the knowledge, resources, and connections necessary to successfully scale their operations, as they consider a brick-and-mortar presence in Downtown Atlanta. 

And the winners are...

Congratulations to our 2024 Retail Ready Pitch Contest Winners!

Judges' Choice: Kindred Paper

Community Choice: Sincerely Fearless

Retail Ready 2024 Cohort

Barkful | Healthy dog food and treats

Black Cloud Battalion | Classic car club selling LED tail lights and apparel

Botanicts | Haircare, skincare, and holistic products

Buenos Dias Cafe & Pupuseria | Fresh and frozen pupusas

EssenceTree Beauty & Life | Wellness brand selling bath, body, and home products

Flaky Not Flaky | Artisan bakery and chocolate shop

Kindred Paper | Greeting cards and home goods

Rollerfit | Roller skating equipment and merchandise

Shapeshifter | Barbecue products and merchandise

Sincerely Fearless | Novelty jewelry and interactive accessories

Sweet Heads | Handcrafted desserts

The Wig Dr. | High quality wigs and mastectomy products

Vertical Activewear | Sustainable AI-powered apparel brand

Wine Shoe | Knowledgable wine shop offering unique and intimate tastings 

YEAHBUZZY | Community-focused retail brand featuring apparel and accessories

Program Components  

Virtual, Live Classes: 
Eight, tailored online modules covering topics such as business planning, marketing strategies, visual merchandising, and commercial leasing. 

Interactive sessions led by Terrand Smith of 37 Oaks and other industry experts, providing insights and practical advice for navigating a brick-and-mortar operation. 

Grant Support:
Eligibility for grants of up to $3,500 to be used in support of growing your business and/or testing a storefront concept. 

In-Person Workshop and Downtown Tour: 
Hands-on workshop held in Downtown Atlanta, focused on facilitating connections to funders and small business partners, as well as offering insights into the Downtown Atlanta neighborhood, foot traffic patterns, and market trends. 

Exclusive tours of upcoming developments and retail spaces in Downtown Atlanta, providing participants with firsthand exposure to potential locations for their businesses. 

Connections to Landlords and Vending Opportunities: 
Facilitated introductions to landlords and property managers in Downtown Atlanta, fostering relationships and opening doors for potential storefront leases. 

Guidance on negotiating lease terms and understanding commercial real estate agreements. 
Opportunities to sell product at various Downtown Atlanta events and activations. 

Pitch Event and Program Graduation: 
A culminating event where participants showcase their business plans and storefront concepts to a panel of judges, including local business leaders and capital providers. 

Recognition and celebration of program graduates, highlighting their achievements and readiness to embark on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey. 


 

Who Should Apply?  

Product-based businesses interested in scaling into a storefront location within the next 1-3 years in Downtown Atlanta that meet the following criteria:

Been in operation for a minimum of two years 

Minimum of one year of sales/revenue (through existing storefront, e-commerce and/or pop-up markets) 

Ability to commit to eight (8) virtual classes and two (2) in-person program events 

An active business license from a county/city within the State of Georgia 

A “product-based business” includes businesses that specialize in packaged consumer goods, with a preference for businesses that make the product locally in Georgia
 
Ineligible businesses include:

Businesses with greater than 20 employees 

Any business related in any way to the growing, marketing, sale, distribution, or use of marijuana or related products; Manufacturer or retailer of drug paraphernalia; Gun manufacturer or retailer; Fireworks manufacturer or retailer; Tobacco/vape manufacturer or retailer 

Important Dates  

(subject to change) 

June 12, 2024:           Applications Open 
June 25, 2024:          Interest Session at 11 a.m. EST
July 24, 2024:           Applications Close 
August 9, 2024:         Cohort Selection 
August 20, 2024:      Program Orientation at 11:00 a.m. EST 
Aug. – Dec. 2024:     37 Oaks Retail Readiness Curriculum (Virtual classes will occur bi-weekly on Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST on 8/27, 9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, 11/19, and 12/3)
October 15, 2024:     Program Day | Downtown Tour and Workshop (In-Person) 
December 5, 2024:  Graduation & Pitch Event (In-Person)  

Access 6/25 Interest Session Webinar Recording Here + Presentation Deck Here.