Augusta, GA ranks number 8 in the country as a top city for startups.
Augusta scores high as a result of its affordable real estate, low corporate taxes, and low average incomes. Augusta, the center of the CSRA or Central Savannah River Area, being well known for the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, is developing a strong entrepreneurial reputation. Based on an April 2015 ranking by WalletHub, a personal finance social network, Augusta ranks number 8 in the country as a top city for startups.
For further information see 2015’s Best Cities to Start a Business
Based on this ranking, FundingSage has reviewed the resources that make up Augusta and the “Garden City” entrepreneurial ecosystem:
Entrepreneurial Meetups:
- Achievers of Augusta
Its purpose “to help those in the CSRA take the first, second, and third steps in order to ACHIEVE their goals!” It is comprised of entrepreneurs and innovative professionals who enjoy communicating ideas, providing advice and collaborating with professionals from all sectors. - Aiken Techies for Renewable Energy & Sustainability
A group of entrepreneurs and investors interested in business and technology that have the desire to discuss, develop and promote ideas, products and systems to foster the implementation of renewable energy and other sustainable technologies. - A.M. Business Connections
A meetup group established to discuss member professions and their businesses. - Hack Augusta
A community devoted to innovation through the promotion of the Augusta region’s hacker culture. Its members are developers, designers, engineers and entrepreneurs working to define solutions and have fun whilst collaborating to create technological, economic and cultural renewal. - Crowdfund Augusta
Group of area business people who discuss community endeavors in an effort to support growth. - Inspiring Change Network Augusta Chapter
Membership from across the economic spectrum who are seeking opportunities to grow and develop their skills, to break through “to the next level of success”. - Sa*lon: Music/Art/Ideas/Conversation
Meetup where art meets commerce, ingenuity, development and social change. - Successful Women’s Mastermind Association (SWMA) Aiken
Made up of women business owners seeking to run the business of their dreams. It offers monthly networking inspiration and support. - W.H.O.W. (Women Helping Other Women)
An organization created to assist women in their networking efforts and enable the sharing of talents with each other.
Regular Entrepreneurial Events:
- Adtc @ Augusta Day
Sponsors monthly events on various entrepreneurial topics. - Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Sponsored annually by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. - Augusta Business and Entrepreneurial Conference
An annual event hosted by Startup Augusta. - Business After Hours
Periodic events sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. - Executive Welcome Morning Mixers
Periodic events sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. - Startup Augusta and the Young Professionals
Periodic event sponsored by Startup Augusta. - Startup Augusta’s Digital Marketing Workshop
Periodic workshop sponsored by Startup Augusta. - Women in Business Luncheons
Periodic events sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Startup Competitions:
- Augusta National Day of Civic Hacking
An annual festival of technology creativity and innovation. Activities include a hackathon, robotic wrestling exhibitions, car races, 3D printing demos and entrepreneurial pitching to investors who provide feedback on how the startup endeavors can be improved. - Startup Day Across America – Augusta, Ga.
Demo day presentations of local companies at the ClubHou.se.
Co-working Space:
- THE CLUBHOU.SE
Privately funded community incubator with a focus on knowledge, creativity, and implementation. It is their belief that the power of business can impact the community in positive ways. Their offerings include co-working space.
Incubators:
- Augusta-Richmond County Small Business Incubator
Small business incubator for entrepreneurs starting service, manufacturing or research businesses in the Augusta area. - THE CLUBHOU.SE
Privately funded community incubator with a focus on knowledge, creativity, and implementation. It is their belief that the power of business can impact the community in positive ways. - Life Sciences Business Development Center
Biobusiness incubator located at the Augusta University Life Sciences Business Development Center. It operates a “full spectrum of amenities that faculty, staff, and student researchers require to commercialize technologies that can change lives.”
Accelerators:
- Startup Augusta
“help support businesses at all levels of development, from notes on a napkin through funding rounds.” They describe themselves as “the primary hub for the startup community in Augusta, Ga, and surrounding areas.”
Angel Groups / VCs:
- Augusta Angel Investors
Founded in 2014 to fund startups and small businesses in the Augusta area to drive economic growth. - Central Savannah River Angels
The South Carolina Angel Network affiliate in the CSRA area. - South Carolina Angel Network
An affiliation of various angel groups from South Carolina and Western North Carolina who work together to support early-stage companies from around the region.
Entrepreneurial Newsletter Coverage:
- InnoVenture
Promotes the progress of regional entrepreneurial companies through their weekly “SwampFox” newsletter. - Southern Alpha
An online news property which shares the storylines of southern startups with the objective of providing the startup and technology communities news and information related to their respective ecosystems. - Tech Talk Augusta
The source for technology and startup news, events, and resources and showcases the founders, talent, and innovators that call greater Augusta home.
Are you familiar with entrepreneurial ecosystem infrastructure in Augusta not included in the article above? If so, let us know via a comment below and we will add it to the article.
Interested in Ecosystem Spotlights of other cities in the southeast, USA?
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Greensboro, North Carolina, Memphis, TN
