Incubator for Women Entrepreneurs coming to Flatiron Building

January 27,2015

A business incubator for women entrepreneurs is coming to the top floor of downtown Atlanta's historic Flatiron building.

Mayor Kasim Reed plans to announce details surrounding the launch of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative (or WEI as it's being called) at a Tuesday press conference.

WEI would operate in a similar manner to other business incubators in the city, such as the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech.

Housing WEI in the 118-year-old Flatiron building, at 74 Peachtree Street, would give its renovation a shot in the arm and trigger what city officials hope is a startup renaissance in the city's core.

Reed said while there's a lot of focus in Atlanta on tech startups, "this is a space I thought needed some energy ... women entrepreneurs are still having challenges with venture capital and seed investment."

He added that another big impediment for women is access to safe, appropriate office space.

A competitive process will select 15 women entrepreneurs who for 15 months will be housed in WEI free of charge. During their stay, the women will have access to best-in-class resources, including face time with some of the city's leading female executives.