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Metro Atlanta’s Export Challenge Awards $5,000 Grants

Recipients of Metro Export Challenge Grants celebrating their awards.

News Summary

Metro Atlanta announces grants for 10 local exporters to enhance international sales efforts. The $5,000 grants come from the Metro Export Challenge, which has supported local businesses with nearly $900,000 in funding over the past decade. This initiative facilitates mentorship and travel support, contributing significantly to Georgia’s economy and promoting job creation through export development.

Metro Atlanta’s Export Challenge Awards $5,000 Grants to New Cohort of 10 Companies

In a significant boost to the local economy, Metro Atlanta has recently announced that a new cohort of 10 exporters will receive $5,000 grants aimed at enhancing their international sales efforts. This funding comes from the Metro Export Challenge (MEC), an initiative coordinated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber that has made nearly $900,000 available for export development over the past decade.

Utilization of Grants

The awarded grants can be directed towards various essential expenses such as attending trade shows, translating marketing materials, and qualifying global customers. In addition to the financial support, the grant recipients will benefit from mentorship provided by local organizations, including the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center and the Georgia District Export Council.

Support from Delta Air Lines

To further assist these businesses in their export pursuits, Delta Air Lines Inc. has pledged to provide a flight voucher for each company, facilitating their travel needs for international ventures.

Diverse Portfolio of Recipients

This year’s cohort consists of a dynamic mix of product-based companies and service providers, with almost half of the recipients owned by women, minorities, or veterans. Noteworthy product companies include Just For Teens, which specializes in organic personal care for youth; EcoSlay, known for eco-friendly haircare products; and Joe Tools Inc., which produces tooling for various industries. On the service side, companies like Lockthreat LLC, offering an AI-powered risk and governance compliance platform, and Patientory, a mobile app for healthcare data sharing, are also represented.

Success Stories from Previous Years

Past MEC funding recipients have reported impressive growth, including the establishment of overseas offices and securing vital investors. For instance, last year’s MEC pitch competition runner-up, CodeMettle, intended to use an additional $10,000 in funding to participate in international defense-related trade shows.

Impact on Georgia’s Economy

Since its inception, the MEC has contributed nearly $1 million in grant funding, significantly benefiting small and mid-sized businesses looking to expand their international reach. Georgia’s export sales reached a record high of $53.1 billion in 2024, showcasing a growth rate of 6.4% year-over-year, outpacing the national average of 2.3%. The state’s top export products include civilian aircraft, motor vehicles, data processing machines, telephone equipment, and medical devices.

Job Creation and Local Initiatives

The ongoing success of local export initiatives is closely linked to job creation within Georgia. The MEC has been instrumental, generating over $5.4 million in contracts from just $50,000 in export grants last year, highlighting its effectiveness in fostering economic growth.

Getting Involved with Exporting

For those interested in learning more about exporting or the Metro Export Challenge, an upcoming event titled Export Stories will be hosted by Global Atlanta on March 12 at the Cobb Chamber.