ATLANTA, August 26, 2009 — Do you know of a promising small business that might benefit from a mentoring relationship with one of Georgia’s leading corporations? The deadline is approaching to submit applications for the Mentor Protégé Connection, Georgia’s landmark program that pairs small businesses with global movers and shakers.
Formerly known as the Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program,
the Mentor Protégé Connection is now accepting applications. For more information, please visit
www.georgia.org/mentorprotege.
The Mentor Protégé Connection provides unique opportunities to a select group of Georgia’s emerging businesses to improve business practices, develop relationships and promote business growth. For one year, a protégé company is paired with a leading Georgia-based corporation to focus on areas such as:
· New markets and global expansion
· Professional development, business training and networking
· Business operations improvements including HR, systems, sales, financial analysis
· Cutting-edge business practices and mentoring
The program is hosted by the state of Georgia in partnership with its mentor sponsors: GE Energy, Georgia Power, Hardin Construction, Lockheed Martin, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Turner Broadcasting and United Parcel Service (UPS).
The state's mentor protégé program has made changes to enhance the quality and outcomes of the program. The program now requires nominations in order for small businesses to qualify as protégés. Organizations that are eligible to nominate applicants include: chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, established Georgia businesses, business organizations such as NFIB, SBDC and SBA, past mentors and protégés, bankers, CPAs and others.
In order to qualify for the program, potential protégés must:
· Be nominated for consideration in the program
· Be a Georgia-based business owner
· Be established for at least three years and no more than 20 years
· Generate at least $1 million in revenue annually
· Supply most recent three years’ financials and other documentation
· Have a minimum of three full-time, non-contract employees
· Adhere to program schedule that includes regular meetings with assigned mentor, three reporting sessions, educational programming and other functions
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
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