Resource Network For Underserved Entrepreneurs Emerges In Atlanta

Last month Atlanta entrepreneurs were given a new resource for building their next company with the launch of The Legacy Movement, a startup bringing underserved communities a network of mentors and valuable business building tools. The Legacy Movement launched in October to introduce much-needed entrepreneurial opportunities to women, military veterans, and underserved communities in Atlanta. Founder and CEO Aaron Gray said he became interested in creating a resource for entrepreneurs when chatting with a colleague about how difficult it can be for people in underserved communities to get started on the entrepreneurial path. “Our hypothesis was that entrepreneurs usually have family business that they take over from their parents or grandparents, local businesses like a bar or hardware shop,” said Gray, highlighting the business knowledge advantage that these young people receive from an early age. “How can we bridge that gap between those who have that early entrepreneurship experience and those that don’t?” Gray answered that question by launching a network where up-and-coming entrepreneurs can learn the key elements of launching a company, connect with new team members, and maybe even get noticed by investors. The Legacy Movement offers basic materials at no cost, and the full perks of membership can be attained at an affordable $25 per month.

The recently-launched service is nearing 100 registered users, and has been growing through strategic partnerships with targeted organizations like Harvard Business School’s African American Student Union, and the FounderMachine, a startup accelerator for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. In addition to its online resources, the Legacy Movement has already begun hosting free offline workshops in Boston and Atlanta communities. Gray said the response to them so far has been very positive, and he hopes to bring the workshops to Chicago and Los Angeles by next year. The Atlanta startup is currently boostrapped, though Gray said they’re exploring different means of funding to help grow and scale the business. “We are a technology based business, but the Legacy Movement can be thought of as a social enterprise,” said Gray. “We think there are opportunities to use technology and education to empower people from everywhere, you don’t necessarily have to be based in Silicon Valley.” Visit LegacyMovement.net to find out more about Atlanta’s new entrepreneurial resource network.