Gateway to Growth

The Gateway to Growth Academy (“Academy”) is an 11-week comprehensive education program that equips small businesses with the knowledge to navigate airport operations, respond to solicitations, and build operational readiness. The Academy is a strategic initiative by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation to provide experienced small business owners with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic environment of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the world’s busiest airport.

The Academy features two education units that include eight modules. The first unit focuses on supplier registration and the competitive procurement process, while the second focuses on understanding the Airport’s business operations. Each module is one week and offers virtual (e-learning) and in-person interaction to facilitate additional education and networking. In-person panel discussions are also included. The class size is limited to 25 participants.

While completing the Academy is not required to participate in future solicitations offered by the City of Atlanta, Gateway to Growth will provide invaluable insights into the City of Atlanta’s procurement process and will enable participants to navigate a complex airport concession landscape effectively.

Who qualifies as a small business?

ATL follows Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance in defining a “small business.” The FAA cites the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines:

· A small business is defined as a gender and race-neutral for-profit business for which gross receipts, including gross receipts of all affiliate firms, averaged over the firm’s previous five (5) fiscal years, do not exceed $56.42 million. Owners with a minimum of 51% interest in the small business shall not have a personal net worth exceeding $2.047 million.

· Affiliation is defined by the SBA, Small Business Size Regulation (13 CFR Part 121.103). Concerns and entities are affiliates of each other when one controls or has the power to control the other, or a third party or parties controls or has the power to control both. It does not matter whether control is exercised so long as the power to control exists. Additional information on affiliation can be found here.

Key 2025 Gateway to Growth Dates (Cohort #1)

· Application opens. – February 4

· Application due date – February 11 (11:59 p.m. ET)

· Application evaluation and participant selection – February 12 to 19

· Announcement of selected participants – February 21

· Due date for participants to accept admission into the program – February 23

· Participants (Cohort #1) will receive an email confirmation of their program commitment. – February 26

· Kickoff meeting for Cohort #1 – February 27 (in-person)

· Courses and in-person sessions – March 3 to May 1

· Graduation – During “National Small Business Week,” May 4-10 (in-person)

Application Process

· Step 1: Be sure that the business owner (owns, controls, and manages the business) completes the application.

· Step 2: Click the button below to access the online application:

Gateway to Growth Application

· Step 3: Confirm that you understand that completing the application does not guarantee acceptance into the Gateway to Growth program, and acceptance into the Program does not guarantee the awarding of a contract by the City of Atlanta.

· Step 4: Answer all required questions and submit the application.

· Step 5: Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt.