Who WEI Are

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) was founded in 2015 during Mayor Kasim Reed’s initial term. Mayor Reed was committed to implementing an initiative designed to equip local women business owners with the tools needed to support their business aspirations, while minimizing some of the challenges and roadblocks unique to them as women. Creating a safe, collaborative and supportive work space, served as the catalyst for his vision. 

In 2017, WEI was transitioned from the City to Invest Atlanta. WEI has continued to receive Mayoral and City support by every Mayor since 2015.

WEI provides community outreach, educational workshops and mentorship engagement, to aspiring business owners and future entrepreneurs in the City of Atlanta. Our marquis program is a 9-month accelerator designed for early-stage women entrepreneurs pursuing endeavors with the potential for a high economic impact. WEI offers hands-on support through our four pillars: Business Analysis, Leadership Development, Strategic Partnerships, and Funding Opportunities.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to elevate, engage, and empower entrepreneurship through women.

Our Values:

Supportive | Mastermind | Aspirational | Problem Solver | Civic Minded

We believe in partnership and collaboration
As a coalition we have this built into our DNA. Being affiliated with the City of Atlanta also allows us to
access information that touches every aspect of the entrepreneur’s journey.

We are empowering and championing growth
The City of Atlanta is committed to growth and increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs. We aim to
increase consumption and access of needed information, increase business planning activities and lighten
the burden/load for entrepreneurs.

We connect our leaders to Atlanta
We work closely with the business engine of this city every day. And, we are committed to the
distribution of what we know. We can collect a multitude of important information from our varied
resources and present this in one, clear voice. This reduces the perceived clutter that hampers many
entrepreneurial endeavors.

We are also optimistic and engaging
It takes more than determination to soar. It takes good ‘ol human gumption. Our approach is professional
and useful but, it is also human, grounded, upbeat.