Resources for entrepreneurs

STARTUP + SCALE UP RESOURCES

Venture Asheville provides resources and education to foster high-growth entrepreneurship as well as business development for startups. By “high-growth,” we refer to businesses that typically satisfy several conditions:

  1. Create scalable products and services capable of rapidly growing top-line revenue
  2. Pursue markets and sales channels beyond Asheville (national or international)
  3. Fund growth through equity financing instead of more traditional channels such as bank loans

This resource section is intended to support Asheville’s high-growth entrepreneurs. It may also be useful to small businesses and lifestyle entrepreneurs seeking advice. For a comprehensive list of entrepreneurial small business resources, we encourage you to visit the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s small business resources toolbox. Or try Advantage West’s e-launch resources.

 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR STARTUPS

What events take place to tap into the local startup scene?

1 Million Cups of Coffee. Launching August 2014, 1 Million Cups of Coffee is a business pitch event that occurs at 9am on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Each meeting is free, open to everyone, and held downtown at Mojo Coworking. Free coffee is also provided.

Asheville Startup Weekend. A 54-hour event designed to teach the skills of entrepreneurship by having participants work on a team to convert an idea into an operating business. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation & education. Open to everyone.

Ignite Asheville. Ignite is a geek event held in over 100 cities worldwide. At the events, Ignite presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a total of just five minutes.

Lean Startup Circle Asheville. Provides a monthly venue for working sessions where entrepreneurs present their business ideas in an open forum. This open forum has members of the local community with various skills that can lend support to the new business venture.

Meet The Geeks. Hosts bi-monthly get togethers on the last Wednesday of the month with a goal to build a network of professionals across all the IT sectors – from development to recruiting, programming to capital – that promotes relationships and the cross-pollination of ideas that will foster growth in Western North Carolina.

Startup Product Asheville. Runs periodic Startup Product Talks as events for people to come together to share, learn and talk about what it really takes to make products that people love and how to build sustainable businesses and revenue streams based on product excellence.

Tech After Five. Networking event for tech professionals and startup companies. Held once a month.

 

I have a great idea. Can I get help with a business plan, coaching or advice?

AB Tech Small Business Center. The Small Business Center (SBC) at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College fosters and supports entrepreneurship, small business, and economic development. The SBC provides:

  • Free one-on-one, confidential business counseling for startups and small businesses
  • Free business seminars, interactive workshops, and classes in key areas such as bookkeeping, pay-per-click advertising and more
  • Free business resource library featuring books and audio/video as well business plan software

Asheville SCORE. A national non-profit, volunteer organization of successful executives who provide free business consulting services to entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals that want to start a company or expand an existing business.

Mountain BizWorks. Offers highly customized peer-to-peer business coaching by an extensive network of local, successful business owners. MBW’s coaching helps entrepreneurs overcome obstacles, grow strategically, and create jobs.

Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) – Asheville. Provides management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses. Most services are free of charge and all are confidential. The SBTDC has helped North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs since 1984.

Are there businesses accelerators and incubators?

ACCELERATORS

Accelerating Appalachia. The world’s first nature-based business accelerator, Accelerating Appalachia scales high-impact innovative, seed-stage businesses aligned with place, people and prosperity. Focus areas include sustainable food, farming, forests, fiber/textiles, clean energy, green building, craft brewing/distilling, and nutraceuticals/integrative medicine.

The Iron Yard. Launching this fall, The Iron Yard will open its Green Tech accelerator in Asheville. From green tech consumer apps to clean tech enterprise software and hardware, The Iron Yard helps startups build the future of clean technology.

INCUBATORS

AB Tech Small Business Incubator. Offers entrepreneurial development designed to increase business success through consultation services, coaching, access to shared resources, and either office, wet lab or manufacturing facilities.

Blue Ridge Food Ventures. An 11,000-square-foot shared-use kitchen and natural products manufacturing facility that offers support in product development, guidance through the maze of government regulations, equipment for bottling and packaging, advice on marketing and label design, and much more.

Natural Products Manufacturing Facility. The Natural Products Manufacturing Facility at Blue Ridge Food Ventures is the nation’s only GMP-compliant shared-use facility for companies developing dietary supplements, body care products, functional ingredients, all-natural cleaning solutions, and pet care products.

Can I get help with R&D, prototyping & product commercialization?

Bent Creek Institute. Coordinates research, business development, and market opportunities for North Carolina specialty crop growers and botanical medicine developers and processors. Combining traditional knowledge of medicinal plants with validated science, BCI develops intellectual property leading to proprietary products for new business creation, existing business expansion and improved profitability, and the attraction and site location of natural product and botanical medicine manufacturing companies.

Blue Ridge Food Ventures. An 11,000 sq. ft. shared-use kitchen incubator and natural products manufacturing facility that offers support in product development, guidance through the maze of government regulations, equipment for bottling and packaging, advice on packaging and label design, and much more.

Blue Ridge Tech Ventures. Facilitates early stage technology development across WNC. For inventors and entrepreneurs, BRTV can provide guidance for testing services, prototyping, process scale-up, intellectual property and technology strategy issues. For existing businesses needing research or product development support, BRTV works to fill gaps in the development process.

Carolina Textile District. Formed in 2013, the District is a network of textile related companies connecting entrepreneurs to a one-stop shop of resources across the Carolinas from development to production and distribution. If you have an idea for a new product or are looking for a new home for your production, the CTD can jumpstart your textile business.

CICS-NC (Cooperative Institute for Climate & Satellites). As part of NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) which is headquartered in Asheville, CICS-NC leads initiatives to promote private sector commercialization of climate data. Contact Jenny Dissen at CICS-NC to learn more.

Center for Rapid Product Realization at WCU. A university-based product development center that helps clients refine existing products, develop new ones and improve business practices. The industry-experienced faculty and staff work with business partners to address their specific needs and to remove obstacles to product commercialization and process improvement.

Manufacturing Solutions Center. Connected to Catawba Valley Community College, the MSC is a 30,000 sq. ft. facility where innovative concepts may be put through design, or the research and development processes; products and prototypes are tested; manufacturing processes are fine-tuned; and accurate cost and product studies are performed.

Natural Products Manufacturing Facility. Located at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, it’s the nation’s only GMP-compliant shared-use facility for companies developing dietary supplements, body care products, functional ingredients, all-natural cleaning solutions, and pet care products.

NC BioNetwork & Natural Products Laboratory. Delivers education, outreach and laboratory programs that promote life sciences. Topics include current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for botanical dietary supplements and personal care products, basic lab skills, natural products business development and medicinal botanicals. Well-equipped laboratory space is available for rent to those interested in product research, testing, and development.

Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina. A network of outdoor gear-making companies that provides a creative, inclusive and supportive environment to encourage each other and new business. OGB stimulates communication, idea sharing, and crossover opportunities between member companies.

How do I access local angel investment?

Asheville Angel Network. Launching in Fall 2014, the Asheville Angel Network is comprised of local, accredited angel investors who invest in and support start-up and early-stage, high-growth businesses in Asheville and across the Carolinas.

BRAIN (Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network). BRAIN is composed of accredited individual and institutional angel investors who are interested in innovative companies throughout Western North Carolina. Through BRAIN investors can connect directly with startups that interest them.

 

What about Grants or Crowdfunding?
GRANTS

Innovation Fund North Carolina. North Carolina startups in agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing technology, healthcare technology or IT/communications can apply for either a $25,000 Proof-of-Concept grant or an Early Launch Loan (non-collateral) up to $100,000.

North Carolina Idea. NC IDEA provides grants up to $50,000 to North Carolina-based, high-tech startups that need help crossing the chasm between initial product development and venture capital funding.

CROWDFUNDING

Crowdfunding can be viable way to raise capital. Numerous online platforms are emerging to connect startups with investors. Two Asheville companies, Appalatch and Outrider USA, have successfully used Kickstarter to help fund business operations. Here are several other crowdfunding platforms:

CrowdFunder. Provides a guided process, collaborative online platform, and investor network that enables entrepreneurs to raise investment capital to help fuel their growth.

Indiegogo. An international crowdfunding site founded in 2008 that allows people to solicit funds for an idea, charity or start-up business.

MicroVentures. An online equity crowdfunding platform for startups and investors. MV conducts detailed due diligence on startups and, if approved, helps them raise capital from angel investors. Investors can securely invest in startups online.

Note: Crowdfunding is a burgeoning industry and new entrants are consistently emerging. A google search for “crowdfunding” will display numerous platforms. We do not endorse any of these platforms. We encourage you to do your own research before listing your company on them or choosing to invest through one of them.

Should my startup consider applying for a loan?

Early-stage startups may also qualify for loans depending upon their circumstance or industry.

AdvantageWest Advantage Opportunity Fund.  AOF provides high-growth entrepreneurial companies in Western North Carolina with the early stage funding needed to launch or expand their business. More than just a loan fund, AOF enhances client success through a formal entrepreneurial training, coaching, and development program. Loans are typically up to $35,000.

Mountain BizWorks. Mountain BizWorks makes business loans ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 to small businesses in Western North Carolina who are unable to secure funding from banks and other traditional sources with a particular focus on low-income, minority, women, and immigrant entrepreneurs, and businesses that operate within the local food system.

Natural Capital Investment Fund. Provides loans up to $500,000 to triple-bottom-line businesses and farms that drive growth, increase profitability, create employment opportunities, and have positive environmental impact.

North Carolina BioTechnology Center – Western Office. The Center’s Business and Technology Development Program is focused on driving the start-up and growth of life science companies throughout North Carolina. Its programs include:

  • Company Inception Loan. Loans up to $50,000 to start-up life science companies to support business inception and related activities intended to help the company position itself for start-up and early-stage funding or partnering.
  • Small Business Research Loan. Loans up to $250,000 to fund research to advance development of commercially viable technologies/products and is intended to support companies in reaching specific and meaningful research milestones that would position them to obtain additional funding from private and public sources.
  • Strategic Growth Loan. Loans up to $500,000 to life science companies, which must be matched by an equal investment from one or more organized angel funds or networks (“Angel Groups”) or venture capital funds (“VCs”).

Self Help Credit Union. Makes numerous business loans and offers the Golden LEAF Small Business Assistance fund, which aims to create jobs by helping businesses expand. Priority industries include health care, construction, green industries, agriculture or manufacturing.

The Support Center. A North Carolina institution that provides small business loans and financial training to start-ups and existing businesses. Loans range from $5000 up to $200,000. Since 2010, The Support Center has funded 43 small businesses, totaling $2.6 million.

 

Can I enroll in a program or take courses in entrepreneurship?

Asheville Center For Professional Studies. Offers career and professional development training specializing in  leadership / management, IT, entrepreneurship, performance improvement, career development training, and professional / technical CEU certification.

AB Tech Small Business Center. The Small Business Center (SBC) at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College offers numerous seminars and events to provide business education to startups, small businesses, and high-growth ventures.

Lenoir-Rhyne University MBA in Entrepreneurship. The Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville offers an MBA program with a concentration in Entrepreneurship.

Western Carolina University MBA Program. Both full-time and part-time programs are offered at WCU’s Asheville campus. WCU’s “hands-on” MBA focuses on the unique challenges facing Western North Carolina and its economy.

Western Carolina University Masters of Entrepreneurship. Designed by seasoned entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, faculty deliver an integrated curriculum focused on practical applications of entrepreneurial and innovation concepts and skills.  Taught completely online, the program allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree.

Where do I find local tech talent?

TECH EDUCATION

AB Tech Community College – Engineering & Applied Technology Division. Offers a wide variety of Associate in Applied Science degree programs in engineering technologies and applied technologies. Programs include computer engineering, computer-integrated machining, and sustainability technologies.

Tech Talent South. Offers full-time and part-time coding programs to empower students with the skills to code, design, and ship dynamic web applications. Learn Ruby on Rails, Domain Modeling, HTTP and “RESTful” Design, HTML/CSS, Javsascript and AJAX, and Utilizing APIs, and more.

The Iron Yard. The Green Tech accelerator launching this fall will offers its Code Academy beginning in 2015. Emphasis on mobile engineering, front end engineering, and rails engineering. The intensive, three-month courses create professional junior-level programmers.

UNC Asheville – New Media Department. A program in 2D and 3D animation, interactive art and design, web development, video art; and creative applications in internet, sound and performance art, and installation. Encompasses science visualization, robotics, nanotechnology, software art, and augmented architecture.

UNC Asheville – Computer Science Department. Students learn the fundamental principles of computer science and experience the creativity inherent in the field. Core courses focus on the fundamentals of computing—data structures, computer architecture, system software and software engineering, database management and operating systems. Optional courses range from VLSI design and computer networking to graphical user interfaces and object technology.

UNC Asheville – Mechatronics at the Department of Engineering. A concentration of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. Mechatronics focuses on the precision control of mechanical and machine systems through the use of sensors, actuators and microprocessors. Fosters new avenues of thinking and design to enhance the utility, performance and efficiency of modern machinery.

WCU Asheville – Department of Engineering. Program focuses on a foundation in mathematics, sciences, and engineering, augmented with engineering specializations. Emphasizes the hands-on application of the theoretical and technical projects, as student work on
real-world assignments with companies through WCU’s Center for Rapid Product Realization.

TECH NETWORKS

Asheville Coders League. A group of coders in the Asheville area working in different languages and with different technologies with a commitment to being excellent at what they do.

Asheville Makers. Forming a makerspace in the Asheville area. A friendly community of tinkerers, makers, engineers, educators, scientists, artists, hackers, geeks, etc. Anyone who is, aspires to be, or just wants to hang around with local smart, creative, friendly mad scientist folk is welcome!

Meet The Geeks. Provides a common contact point for the IT industry in Western North Carolina. The goal is to build a network of professionals across all the IT sectors – from development to recruiting, programming to capital – that promotes relationships and the cross-pollination of ideas that will foster growth in Western North Carolina.

WNCdotNET. An independent, all volunteer organization, dedicated to promoting Microsoft .NET technology and education to the software developer community of Asheville, NC and the surrounding areas. Monthly meetings offer refreshments, professional networking and educational programs and often have some great giveaways.

 

Are co-working spaces available for entrepreneurs?

The Collider. A 20,000 square feet space set to open in downtown Asheville in 2015 to attract and cluster climate data technology firms and startups. With access to both the data and the scientists at NOAA’s NCDC (National Climatic Data Center), businesses locating in Asheville can gain an early edge in what many are calling an eventual $1 trillion market focusing on climate mitigation, resiliency, and adaptation.

Mojo Coworking. Offers a downtown Asheville coworking location. Members can sign up for use of desks, offices, and meeting rooms. Walks-in also available. Also offers 3-D printing facilities.

 

 

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