If you want a pulse on innovation, you need to look beyond Silicon Valley to the local communities where founders boldly build the future. I am the co-founder of Teclaz, an AI analytics platform designed to provide website and behavioral insights for small and medium businesses. I embrace entrepreneurial grit every day as I build my business, but I have seen that real magic happens when founders and builders have access to supportive ecosystems for mentoring, coaching and connection. I am grateful for the thriving ecosystem in Georgia where I am building my business.
According to the 2026 Small Business and Its Impact on Georgia report from the UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC), my state is home to 1.4 million small businesses, which make up 99.7% of all businesses in Georgia. Not only are small businesses the backbone of our economy, but they are also driving job growth. It is no surprise that Georgia continually ranks as a top state for doing business and starting a new venture. This is not accidental growth. It is the direct result of deliberate, statewide investments into centers that nurture startups, entrepreneurs, and local business owners.
In my hometown of Madison, Georgia, The Wheelhouse is the epicenter of small-town innovation. Backed by funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), The Wheelhouse is a vibrant hub offering mentorship, educational programs, and collaborative resources for local business owners. You can usually find me at the monthly "Coffee & Conversation" events, where we share challenges, ideas, and opportunities. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion from the dreamer with an idea to the seasoned entrepreneur.
The Wheelhouse nurtures local businesses, but Georgia also heavily invests in scaling high-growth tech companies. The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) is the state’s flagship technology startup incubator. The ATDC provides startups with zero-equity coaching, resources, and connections to investors and industry leaders. ATDC companies have attracted $7.9 billion in investment and created over 15,000 jobs in Georgia. ATDC has made an incredible impact on the State of Georgia because of its accessibility. The ATDC operates 7 centers throughout Georgia from Atlanta, Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah. This ensures that founders across the entire state have the specialized tech support they need to transform a minimum viable product (MVP) into a category-leading company.
Our mission at Teclaz is to make website analytics effortless and actionable for every business. Thanks to the incredible ecosystem of incubators, small business development centers, and mentors across Georgia that provide an environment for small businesses to thrive.
Let's keep building!