CAI Business Incubator Program

The CAI Business Incubator Project is a Micro-enterprise/Self-Employment Project. Our primary goals for this initiative are creating jobs in low-income communities throughout metropolitan Atlanta by enhancing the entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses within these communities, building or accelerating growth in the local industry, and diversifying local economies. This is a “mixed-use,” type of business incubator, which assists a wide variety of early-stage companies.

The host sponsors of this incubator are Cornerstone Association, Inc. (CAI) and a community advisory committee, with CAI serving as the parent organization. The incubator itself is a dynamic model of a sustainable, efficient business operation, which aspires to have a positive impact on the economic health of surrounding communities by maximizing the success of emerging companies.

Our program includes training seminars, technical support, workforce issues and community relations. Client companies will have access to office space, telecommunication and network infrastructure, a community of entrepreneurs, business advice and planning, and a network of professional services, and "just-in-time advice". Depending upon their needs, client companies will choose to use all or some of the available resources.

Incubator staff will help develop business plans, cash flow projections and market research. We will also assist clients with identifying options for financing their businesses, which include microloan programs, banks, or private investors.

NOTE: The center does not provide direct financing or make loans to companies or individuals.

Our facility helps entrepreneurs succeed because they can:

• Have an affordable, "instant office" for 1 to 5 employees and a short-term lease
• Access business expertise of intelligent systems executives at no extra charge
• Enhance their business image with  professional office and meeting space at a reduced rental rates
• Improve cash flow with affordable lease terms and shared resources
• Administrative and secretarial services
• Receptionist/answering services
• Telecommunications equipment (e.g., computers, phones, scanners and fax machines)
• Telecommunications services (e.g., voice mail, T1 Internet connection and network server access)
• Technical assistance
• Access to conference rooms, break room and small business research center.
• Monthly meetings with the management team
• Assistance with establishing initial contact with potential clients through networking memberships
• Assistance establishing meetings for client companies with potential clients
• Provision of an Incubator team liaison to accompany client company representatives to meetings with potential clients
• Referrals to financial institutions
• Access to government and economic development resources and funding sources

We help new businesses preserve their valuable start-up operating capital by offering access to the following:

• Office space ( and receptionist services)
• Meeting room
• Break area
• Reference library
• Print/Copy center