Ecosystem Activation & Public Education
Free and low-cost workshops, speaker series, mentoring, and community events for anyone building or exploring a business.
Entrepreneurship changes lives
Build Atlanta's entrepreneurial future.
For nearly fourteen years, Atlanta Tech Village has helped founders build, belong, and thrive. The Foundation opens that work to more people so entrepreneurs from every background can go further.
Our mission
Opportunity starts with access.
We believe entrepreneurship is one of the greatest mechanisms for positive change in the lives of individuals, families, communities, and cities.
Atlanta Tech Village Foundation advances economic mobility by cultivating an inclusive, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our programs are free or low-cost, open to the public, and separate from ATV membership.
Why now
This is a pivotal moment.
AI is reshaping how work gets done and businesses get built. More Atlantans need the entrepreneurial mindset, practical tools, and relationships to adapt and thrive instead of being left behind.
The Foundation gives nearly fourteen years of free events, mentorship, community building, and founder support a dedicated home - and gives all of Atlanta a way to help that work reach farther.
What we do
Three ways we widen the path.
AI Fluency & Workforce Resilience
Practical training that helps entrepreneurs, small businesses, and workers adapt and thrive as AI reshapes the economy.
It Takes a Village
Structured mentorship, coaching, and expert support at no cost or on a sliding scale for underrepresented founders.
Our pre-accelerator
It Takes a Village.
Atlanta's next great companies should not be limited by who gets access. It Takes a Village is our structured pre-accelerator for underrepresented founders, including women and entrepreneurs from economically disadvantaged communities.
Through hands-on mentorship, business education, coaching, technical assistance, and access to subject-matter experts and investor networks, founders turn early ideas into stronger ventures. Participation is offered at no cost or on a sliding scale.
Programs in actionComing in October
Where people learn, connect, and build.
From a first conversation to a growing company, these programs create practical entry points into Atlanta's entrepreneurial community.
Startup Chowdown
A welcoming community lunch where founders, builders, mentors, and supporters make the serendipitous connections that move ideas forward.
Women + Tech
Monthly gatherings where women founders, operators, technologists, and allies learn together, widen their networks, and grow.
Launch Atlanta
A free, eight-week, hands-on program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs go from an idea to an LLC and a working prototype built with AI.
Wednesd.AI
A free weekly show-and-tell where builders demonstrate practical ways they use AI so attendees leave ready to apply it.
Startup Summer School
A practical crash course in building a company, taught by experienced founders, operators, and mentors who share what actually works.
The Growth Table
A monthly breakfast for growth-stage founders across the Southeast to learn from peers, build corporate relationships, and grow.
“Our first chapter was about giving founders a place to belong. The next is about launching thousands of founders from every background.”David Lightburn, Board Chair
Leadership
Led by people who believe in Atlanta.
Kelly Anne O'Neill
Executive Director
David Lightburn
Board Chair
President, Atlanta Ventures · Co-founder, Atlanta Tech Village
Holly Goddard
Board Member
Executive Pastor, North Point Community Church
Bahadir Ustaoglu
Board Member
Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Cognira
Kellie Schonberg
Board Member
Former Global Head of Corporate Responsibility & CEO, Invesco Foundation
Jessica Kitchel
Board Secretary
Fuel what happens next
Fuel Atlanta's entrepreneurial future.
If you believe Atlanta's future is entrepreneurial, this is your opportunity to help shape it. Your gift opens education, AI fluency, mentorship, and community to more people.
Atlanta Tech Village Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.