Catalyzing support for early-stage founders in Middle GA to forge a tech-driven future; creating impactful solutions for community challenges and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.
At Macon Black Tech, we are more than a community organization – we are a catalyst for change. Our programming, like Maconthon, is designed to support early-stage organizations, guiding them towards the development of sustainable companies.
Our Commitment
We recognize the pivotal role of smaller cities as the bridge to a prosperous economy. Macon Georgia just like its central positioning geographically, represents a space where transformative innovation can take place. Committed to closing the fragmented gap of resources for early-stage founders in Middle Georgia, while considering racial disparities, our mission extends beyond technology. We're dedicated to empowering visionary entrepreneurs, providing resources that enable them to create tech-enabled solutions that address community challenges and actively contribute to narrowing the economic gap in our region.
Community Building
-
Foster Relationships: We aim to cultivate a vibrant community where founders connect, share knowledge, and collaborate to build successful businesses.
-
Safe and Supportive: We aim to create a safe and supportive environment for Black founders, fostering collaboration with partners, sponsors, and community members.
-
Foster Relationships: We cultivate a vibrant community where founders connect, share knowledge, and collaborate to build successful businesses.
-
Safe and Supportive: We create a safe and supportive environment for Black founders, fostering collaboration with partners, sponsors, and community members.
-
Foster Relationships: We cultivate a vibrant community where founders connect, share knowledge, and collaborate to build successful businesses.
-
Safe and Supportive: We create a safe and supportive environment for Black founders, fostering collaboration with partners, sponsors, and community members.
Infrastructure Development
-
Authentic Empowerment: We believe in the power of authentic and empowering stories to change the narrative around Black entrepreneurship in Central Georgia.
-
Inspiring Stories: Our mission is to present the stories of Black founders in a way that is not just empowering but also inspiring.
-
Building Foundations: Our commitment extends to developing the infrastructure necessary to empower founders with the insights and resources they need to thrive.
Acceleration
-
Connecting Resources: As we engage with our community, we seek and provide the resources that best support founders in bringing their ideas to life.
-
Turning Visions into Reality: We are committed to helping founders turn their visions into reality by offering resources, tools, and dedicated support.
Our Essence
WHAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT
The driving force behind our mission.
Closing the Wealth Gap Through Ownership:
-
Pivotal Role in Wealth Equality: Ownership via entrepreneurship is a critical tool in narrowing the wealth gap. However, Black entrepreneurs face significant challenges, particularly in securing capital and access to credit.
-
Disparities in Financing: Despite strong personal credit, Black business owners and entrepreneurs from marginalized groups are about half as likely as their white counterparts to secure full financing. Even friends and family may not have the financial capacity to contribute, with many Black families lacking access to even a modest sum of $3,000.
Source:
"Disparities in Capital Access Report," U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency. Accessed online. View the full report.
Empowering Smaller Communities:
-
Insufficient Infrastructure: Smaller cities and rural areas grapple with insufficient infrastructure, lacking vital components such as reliable internet access, entrepreneur support resources for scaling hindering business growth.
-
Mentorship Gaps: Limited mentorship opportunities pose challenges for entrepreneurs in smaller cities and rural areas who struggle to find guidance and support in navigating the complex business landscape.
-
Education Resource Barriers: Smaller cities and rural communities often lack resources to support the full development of sustainable small business or startup. This disparity makes it challenging for individuals in these areas to access the education needed to thrive in the business world.
In Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, these challenges are particularly acute. In 2019, approximately 38.6% of Macon residents had an income below the poverty level. This is significantly higher than the poverty level of 13.3% across the entire state of Georgia. (source: City-Data).
Macon Black Tech is committed to addressing these challenges by supporting early stage founders. We provide access to capital, mentorship, and education resources to help entrepreneurs within our community build successful ideas and businesses.
Entrepreneurship can have a significant impact on local economies by connecting them to the larger global economy.
The Work
COLLABORATION IS THE HACK
Watch the inspiring journey of one of the founders we funded through strategic collaboration with two organizations providing crucial financial support. This is the power of partnership – turning visions into reality.
At Macon Black Tech, we believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking the full potential of our local entrepreneurs.
Our commitment to fostering innovation and economic prosperity is exemplified by the success stories of founders we've supported.
Are you an organization passionate about empowering local entrepreneurs? Join us in making a lasting impact. Partner with Macon Black Tech to support and uplift our community of innovators. Together, we can hack the future of entrepreneurship, one collaboration at a time.
Contact us today to explore partnership opportunities and be a driving force behind the success stories of the next generation of local entrepreneurs.