Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger Launches Georgia Investment and Business Fair at Georgia Capitol

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is launching a Georgia investment and business fair at the Capitol on August 26, 2021, to highlight the Invest Georgia Exemption (IGE).

The IGE allows Georgia companies to raise capital from Georgia investors without having to deal with the regulatory costs and burdens of registering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“As a small-business owner myself, I know how important it is for the government to support rather than get in the way of business and investment,” said Raffensperger. “I am proud to bring more attention to this important tool to help Georgia small businesses and entrepreneurs. Over 100 companies have used it to grow their business in the Peach State so far.”

“At TAG we’re committed to fueling the innovation economy, and we strongly support public policies encouraging business investment,” said Larry Williams, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia. “IGE is an example of good public policy. By making it easier to raise capital, IGE helps our members develop new technologies and create value. With help from effective programs like IGE, capital investment in Georgia is growing and deal flow is strong.”

The IGE Fair will take place on Thursday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Capitol. Georgia IGE companies will be set up at tables displaying what they do and how they used the IGE to grow their companies. 

Additionally, business groups and government agencies, including representatives of the Secretary of State’s office, will be on hand to provide information and tips to entrepreneurs looking to start a business or small businesses looking to grow their company.

The fair is open to the public.

Secretary Raffensperger’s She Leads program will be hosting a panel on how investors can invest wisely, and how small businesses and entrepreneurs can raise capital, in conjunction with the program. That panel will be streamed online on the Secretary’s social media pages and will start at 9:30 a.m.

The IGE fair is sponsored by the Investors Protection Trust, a nonprofit organization devoted to investor education. The primary mission of IPT is to provide independent, objective information needed by consumers to make informed investment decisions. The Secretary of State’s office is partnering with several Georgia businesses and tech incubators as well.

The Invest Georgia Exemption was created in 2011 and allows registered Georgia for-profit corporations to raise capital from Georgia investors without having to register the securities sale with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IGE offerings are limited to $1 million in capital and up to $10,000 per non-accredited investors. Accredited investors can invest however much they would like, up to the offering limit.

More information about the IGE is available here  or at the IGE Fair on August 26. Click here to register for free .