Please read and acknowledge agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2026 Class of the Georgia Mentor Protege Connection.  The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection (GMPC) is administered by the Georgia Education Foundation. The program is designed to increase the success of small businesses through building relationships with established firms and corporations. A corporate learning relationship is developed when the Protégé (emerging, small State of Georgia business) is matched with a Mentor (larger, more established business) for a period of one year. Emerging firms can build relationships, explore new technologies, learn about best practices and benefit from the wisdom of corporate executives who are committed to the long-term health and overall growth of small businesses in Georgia.  This memorandum aims to define an effective business relationship among the undersigned Mentor and Protégé companies and the Program for a twelve-month period. This agreement is effective from the start date of the Program’s current class to the graduation end date. Release  The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection and the Mentor will not have a financial obligation to the Protégé. Likewise, the Program and the Protégé will not have a financial obligation to the Mentor. Communication  The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection, the Mentor and the Protégé will establish consistent mutual contact through meetings, telecommunication and written communication. The Mentor and Protégé will be in contact at least monthly throughout the duration of the current Program. Reporting  The Mentor and Protégé will be subject to reporting procedures as established by the Program. Additionally, the Mentor and Protégé will provide accurate reports of meetings, joint business activities and relevant accomplishments as directed. Reporting sessions will be held on a quarterly basis. Attendance at reporting sessions is mandatory and should be treated as such. If either party is unable to attend for reasons that cannot be helped, parties are to notify the Program’s Director and their partner prior to date of session. Confidentiality  The Mentor and Protégé will agree mutually to maintain confidentiality of information learned about the other’s firm. Subject to the relevant provisions of State law, including but not limited to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, et seq., the Program will treat all team information as proprietary and confidential. Media Inquiries  All broadcast and print media inquiries relative to the Program should be referred to the Program’s Director for management and execution. Participation  The Mentor and Protégé will attend relevant meetings, seminars, mandatory training and conferences that are established by the Mentor Protégé Connection. Failure to attend mandatory meetings and related activities may result in removal from the Program.  Protégés must graduate at the conclusion of the twelve-month cycle and are only eligible to participate once. Relationship  The Mentor and Protégé will make a concerted effort to establish a positive business relationship with each other and the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection. Mentors will:  1) remain in contact with their Protégé in accordance with this MOU and Program outline;  2) help identify top needs of their Protégé and Mentor accordingly;  3) identify which internal departments will support and assist with mentoring as it relates to various areas of expertise within the Mentor organization. Proteges will:  1) attend all mandatory sessions in accordance with this MOU and Program outline;  2) identify top business needs with their Mentor and recognize the Mentor as the lead partner with respect to the mentoring process;  3) conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Termination of the Relationship  The Program recognizes that, on rare occasions, the relationship between Mentor and Protégé may not be mutually beneficial. By and only through mutual written consent, the Mentor and Protégé may elect to terminate their relationship. Termination of the relationship must be communicated to the Program Director prior to any final action. All parties to this agreement are held harmless from and against any and all liability, loss, expense, including reasonable attorney fees, or claims for injury or damages arising out of an actual or perceived failure to meet the obligations of this agreement. Current Standing  To participate in the Program, Proteges may not have been convicted in any criminal proceeding at any level for the last 10 years.  This applies both to the Protégé company and to any officers or personnel of the Protégé company who will be directly involved in the relationship created by this agreement. In addition Protégés must willingly release to the program a civil litigation history for the past seven (7) years, as well as any knowledge of any impending or ongoing criminal investigation. The Program expressly reserves the right to deny participation in the program based on civil or criminal history and to terminate participation in the program if details warrant during the course of the program year. Solicitation  The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection adheres to a strict policy of no solicitation. The Protégé should not expect nor ask for a contract in any form or for any service, function, purchase or present or future commitment from his/her Mentor while participating in The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection. If such an incident occurs, a warning will be issued; if the warning is not heeded, The Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection reserves the right to remove a protégé from the program. However, there may be viable opportunities for contract solicitation by the mentors when mentors place protégés into their RFQ process and contracts may be awarded. This is acceptable.  

The Community Business Development Program (CBDP) is a small business readiness initiative designed to rapidly assist emerging firms with scaling their businesses and moving them toward long-term sustainability. The process involves the selection of a group of eligible firms for specialized training on mission-critical areas of business acumen. The curriculum includes foundational elements of running a business successfully, with room for specialized topics pertinent to a specific industry or of importance to the hosting entity. Corporations or governmental entities looking for ways to empower and encourage local companies that create jobs and strengthen the communities they serve should consider sponsoring a business.   

Who Should Participate: The program is designed for companies that have been in business for at least two years; a minimum of $50,000 in annual revenue; and a minimum of one full-time employee.    

Program Overview: 

• 90 day program with Six (6) bi-weekly workshops
• Facilitator-led session by GBC and partners 
• Two-Hour Sessions Workshop    

Session Topics: 

• Business Plan 
• Financial Acumen 
• Marketing 
• Technology 
• Building Your Operational Infrastructure 
• Access to Capital Benefits of the Program 
• Business Plan 
• Roadmap for Operational Execution 
• Financial Plan with Statements 
• SBDC Business Coach    

For more Information please contact Vanessa Lane, Executive Director, Georgia Education Foundation, via email at vlane@georgiabusinesscouncil.org or phone at 404-589-9224.