Igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship for our communities and region.
Welcome to the Art & Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship. We believe that entrepreneurship lives in every human being, emerging in moments when the world needs our unique skills and ideas.
We are committed to creating opportunities for economic empowerment, supporting entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit leaders in three ways: We build communities to support entrepreneurship with mentors, peers, experts, regional partners, local businesses, and friends. We build capabilities for entrepreneurs with workshops, coaching, pitch competitions, college courses, and events. We support new and growing entrepreneurs on their path to accessing capital with our network of lenders, partners, and investors.
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Business Ideas & Side Hustles
We believe that every entrepreneur, whether building something new or growing their business, has the ability to shape their own path and strengthen our local economy. Founders at any stage can access our programs, mentorship, and resources to test ideas, refine their models, and build ventures that create real impact in Coastal Georgia.
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Entrepreneurs & NonProfit Leaders
Join us for regular meetups, workshops, mentor talks, or sign up for one of our programs to help you start or grow your business. New and experienced entrepreneurs can find support, peer networks, opportunities, and resources to launch or grow in the offerings of the Lucas Center.
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Mentors
At the Lucas Center, our volunteer mentors are the core of our support system for entrepreneurs. If you haven’t gotten involved yet, contact us to share your strengths, interests, and experiences in an impactful way. Our mentors represent decades of experiences across industries.
Building Opportunities
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At the Lucas Center, find the support you need to start or grow your business. Our mentors, workshops, bootcamp programs, and competitions challenge all entrepreneurs to grow into their potential. If you are ready to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, fill out the prompts below to reach out to us.
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At the Lucas Center, we understand that entrepreneurs are driven by passion, energy, and the determination to bring their visions to life – but they need support to make it happen. Our mentors provide valuable resources, including workshops, programs, and training in areas such as business planning, financial statements, strategy, human resources, and real estate. Below, you’ll find prompts to fill out if you are interested in becoming a mentor of the Lucas Center.
Click here to view our programs and get involved! -
Starting a new business or growing an existing one requires support from across industries and sectors.
Our partners are available for entrepreneurs in our programs as their needs grow.
If your organization or local business would like to join our network of partners, please reach out. We look forward to connecting and sharing the success and energy of our entrepreneurs with our community partners.
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Sponsoring Lucas Center Programs:
Consider becoming a Founding Executive or Director of the Lucas Center. Your gift will not only support the businesses currently served by the Lucas Center, but also help to cultivate and grow the businesses of tomorrow, allowing the Golden Isles and South Georgia to be a place of growth and innovation.
The Lucas Center serves hundreds of startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, and small businesses each year. Our sponsors create impact in our community by helping our programs run multiple times each year for free and by creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and students to access resources and education that would otherwise keep them from growing or launching their business.As a sponsor donating more than $500, your name or organization’s name can be featured in our workshops, materials, and social media. Our sponsors giving $2,500 or more also have access to exclusive events, brand recognition in our materials, and regular impact updates sharing the value of their gift in the community.
Individual Supporters
Love the Lucas Center and its impact in our community? Consider a one-time or recurring gift to support a growing spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in our region. From workshops to coaching to pitch competitions, your generosity grows our capacity to do even more!
Ecosystem
Within the Golden Isles region, our ecosystem is growing every day and presenting many new opportunities.
Resources
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned founder, or a mentor or advocate assisting, find the resources you need to grow here.
Events
Our events for entrepreneurs, students, mentors, and the community connect all of us with the innovations and excitement of entrepreneurship.
Newsroom
Keep up with what’s new, what’s brewing, and how the Lucas Center and partners are building opportunities in the community and region.
We are committed to inspiring entrepreneurship across our community and region. We connect founders and aspiring entrepreneurs with the mentors, peers, resources, education, and partners to help their business goals come to life.
We believe in the promise and potential of entrepreneurship for establishing economic empowerment, innovating solutions to our local and global challenges, and creating a better world and future for us all.
Hear from the Experience of our Entrepreneurs
We strive for an engaging and educational experience for all, whether as an entrepreneur, mentor or supporter of entrepreneurship. Hear directly from their experience with us.
Meet Tanya McDowell, Executive Director of the Saint Simons African American Heritage Coalition, an ACCELER8 NonProfit Entrepreneur.
Meet Stephanie Conti, Program Manager of Glynn Visual Arts, an ACCELER8 NonProfit Entrepreneur.
Meet Stephanie Schafer, President of Grateful Cats, Canines, Allies & Supporters, an ACCELER8 NonProfit Entrepreneur.
Get Connected.
Ready to kickstart or grow your business? Let us connect you with a vibrant network that’ll spark your entrepreneurial spirit!