Metro Export Challenge Applications Open as ‘Pitch Day’ Approaches 

Applications are once again open for the Atlanta Metro Export Challenge, the longstanding grant program that aids companies within the 29-county metro area in expanding their international sales. 

Existing exporters and those looking to kickstart their global trade journeys can apply for $5,000 in reimbursable grants to attend conferences and trade shows or have their sales materials translated into world languages, among other uses. 

The goal is to support job-creation here at home by boosting companies’ access to customers abroad and helping them attain the resiliency and diversification that exporting offers U.S. small and medium-sized companies.

Cohort companies gain access to tailored mentoring, a $500 Delta Air Lines voucher,  as well as the chance to vie for as much as $15,000 in additional funding during an annual Pitch Day, where they can showcase how they’ve used the cash and project what they might do with more. 

This year, the (invitation-only) Shark Tank-style event is being held Nov. 19 at the Ten Twenty Spring building in Midtown, with five companies from the 2025 cohort showcasing their export-growth efforts. 

The challenge, facilitated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber with funding and support from a variety of regional economic development partners, has provided more than $900,000 to more than 150 companies since its inception in 2012, and it could cross the million-dollar threshold next year. 

See the full list of cohort companies below: 

• Davis Manufacturing and Packaging, Inc. — Manufacturing
• Ecoslay — Other Services (except Public Administration)
• Compac Industries — Manufacturing
• Global Atlanta — Information Technology
• Joe Tools Inc. –Manufacturing
• Just for Teens — Wholesale Trade
• LockThreat –Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Num Num Sauce Company –Manufacturing
• Patientory, Inc. –Information Technology
• Zcorum — Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Community partners include: 

• U.S. Commercial Service
• Delta 
• Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs 
• SelectCobb
• Invest Atlanta
• Partnership Gwinnett 
• Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia District Export Council
• University of Georgia Small Business Development Center

To apply, companies must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, have two or more employees, be based in one of the 29 metro-Atlanta counties, have a product or service comprised of at least 51 percent U.S. content and have been in business since August 2021.  

Learn more about the history of the grant and application requirements here. Apply here, or for questions on the MEC, email globalcommerce@macoc.com.