“There is no straight line to becoming an entrepreneur, but there are things you can do to set yourself up for success. Studying hard and getting good grades is a start, but nothing replaces hands-on experience.”
– Entrepreneur Magazine
Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta are further developing a tech talent pipeline by subsidizing Atlanta-based students to complete entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta startups. This will support growing startups with funding some of their immediate tech talent needs. For the summer of 2018, our initial goal is to expose 18 Atlanta-based students to entrepreneurship and help meet the talent needs of 18 Atlanta-based startups. Over three years, we’ll expose over 75 students to entrepreneurship and help meet the talent needs of 75 startups.
Problem
- Startups have short-term tech talent needs as they scale, but they are cash poor.
- Entrepreneurship requires experiential learning and students have few connections that transcend academia into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Therefore, students may be less likely to remain in Atlanta upon graduation.
- Startups tend to provide volunteer-based positions, which can create a barrier to entry for students lacking resources or from underrepresented backgrounds.
Solution
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Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta will subsidize Atlanta-based students (please see eligibility requirements in FAQs) to pursue entrepreneurial-focused summer internships and identify program participants and support with professional development opportunities.
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Local universities, including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, Emory and SCAD, will promote the opportunity to students from each school who are high performing and show entrepreneurial potential.
- Startups will commit to provide mentorship and create work plan with substantive and varied work to expose students to various tech-related careers.
- Students will commit to 35 hours/week in the program and should display entrepreneurial values such as creativity, analytical thinking, problem-solving, curiosity, adaptability and flexibility, technical skills or interest.
Costs for Startups
Students will work 35 hours/week at a $15/hour rate. Over 12 weeks, this totals $6,300.
Program Timeline
| Startup Applications Due | April 16 |
| Startup Interview #1 | April 18-20 |
| Student Applications Due | April 23 |
| Student Interview #1 | April 25-27 |
| Student Interview #2 with Startups | May 1-4 |
Learn more and apply at: https://www.investatlanta.com/
