ATL Standard

The Metro Atlanta Chamber has announced the companies selected for the 2025 Atlanta Metro Export Challenge (MEC) cohort. This initiative, now in its ninth year, aims to support small and medium-sized businesses as they expand into international markets. The program provides financial assistance and mentorship to aid global business development.

Each participating company will receive a $5,000 grant to help with expenses related to international expansion, such as travel and trade show costs. Participants also benefit from a mentorship program, a flight voucher from Delta Air Lines, and an opportunity to compete for additional funding at the annual Pitch Day event.

"Metro Atlanta continues to strengthen its position as a global business hub," said Katie Kirkpatrick, president & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "Programs like the MEC are instrumental in helping local businesses scale internationally."

The MEC is noted as the region’s largest global economic development initiative. Since its inception, it has awarded nearly $900,000 in grants supporting small and mid-sized businesses' international growth. In 2024 alone, $50,000 invested by MAC and partners facilitated over $5.4 million in export successes.

Lizann Grupalo from the Georgia Department of Economic Development remarked on the significance of this milestone: "As the MEC approaches providing nearly $1 million in grant funding since its creation...Georgia had its fourth consecutive year of record-breaking exports."

This year's cohort includes ten diverse metro Atlanta companies: Compac Industries, Davis Manufacturing and Packing Inc., Ecoslay, Global Atlanta, Joe Tools Inc., Just for Teens, Lockthreat LLC, Num Num Sauce Company, Patientory Inc., and ZCorum.

Program partners include various regional organizations such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Invest Atlanta.

For more information on this year's challenge or about MAC's efforts to promote economic growth in metro Atlanta, visit their website.