TechStars, a global business start-up accelerator that helps emerging technology entrepreneurs build their new businesses, welcomed its inaugural Atlanta class in July at a ribbon-cutting event at Ponce City Market, the location of TechStars Atlanta’s new workspace.

Emerging from a field of 69 applicants drawn from six continents, the tech companies selected for TechStars’ mentorship-driven, three-month program heard Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta’s senior vice president of economic development, talk about the start-up community in Atlanta and the efforts that the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have made to support entrepreneurs in launching and sustaining their businesses.

TechStars gives its class members access to investment and collaborative guidance and resources from leading entrepreneurs.

The program, intended to foster innovation and growth for the participating companies, will culminate in Demo Day, November 1, when the graduates will present their products or services to a group of media, investors and local entrepreneurs.

The diverse class includes two companies apiece from Israel and Los Angeles, one each from Canada, Belgium and Savannah and three from Atlanta.

Invest Atlanta works through incubators to offer its services of access to capital, relocation assistance, and site selection to startups, and to broker contacts with interested companies, investors or tech talent. In the coming year, Invest Atlanta expects to arrange an ultra-low-interest $50,000 loan with a yet-to-be-chosen startup that has either relocated to Atlanta or is just beginning its business here.