| Boy am I glad all that vacation is over. Who’s with me? Who’s ready to make 2019 their year? Who’s pumped for a huge January? Who’s ready to ca-ca-ca-ca-rush it?! I feel like Ric Flair this New Year – that’s how much excitement I have for Asheville’s Startups – WHOOOOO!!! Without a weekly newsletter to write I’ve just been walking around my house shouting January startup events at my dogs and cat. “Hey you, will I see you at the January 3rd Pitch Party?!” “You look like you dig startups. Join me at Elevate’s Demo Day on January 22nd at The Collider.” “You looking for $50k in Seed funding? Go to the NC IDEA Info Session!” “Learn some PR Strategies at a Lunch and Learn!” “Have coffee with me at Izzy’s so we can pretend we’re at 1 Million Cups!” These poor dogs have had to sit and listen to me practice my Pitch Party pitch, remind them how great the Venture 15 was, and watch this video recap. |
| Here’s my take on the January Startup Calendar. Note: not everything everything is linked yet. Pitch Party – January 3rd, 6 p.m., at Anthroware. This is an open mic night for entrepreneurs. You get one-minute to say anything you want. It could be a big business or a big idea. This is where most entrepreneurs enter the startup ecosystem to launch a startup, find a job, or meet a co-founder. YPA Professional Development and Morning Networking – January 3rd, 4:30 p.m., Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Join Kevan Frazier, Executive Director of Western Carolina University’s Programs in Asheville, for a practical workshop about how to work a room and leave feeling accomplished and not smarmy. After the workshop, participants will get the opportunity to put what they learn into practice at the Chamber’s January Business After Hours monthly networking event. Lunch and Learn: How PR is the New Gamechanger – January 8th, 12 p.m., at The Collider. “With humanity so hyperexposed to brands, empty promises, and emotional hooks, it has never been more important to understand how your storytelling effectively engages people. Join Emily Breedlove to learn how to craft an authentic PR angle that is compelling, profitable, and adaptive.” 1 Million Cups is back! – January 9th, 8:50 a.m., Asheville Social Hall. First up, Asheville Almond Company.Spark Sessions (Private invitation, then open to the public. Link coming soon.) – January 10th, 8 a.m., Asheville Social Hall. “Introducing the new monthly Asheville event for high-growth entrepreneurs, business mentors, and investors called “Spark Sessions.” Hosted by the Hatch AVL Foundation and Venture Asheville, the early morning presentations will offer a curated educational platform for innovators and leading-edge champions of the WNC entrepreneurial ecosystem.” Legislative Luncheon – January 15th, 11:30 a.m., Grove Park Inn. Join Asheville’s business leaders for insights into the 2019 legislative session with analysis by Jonathan Kappler of the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation and discussion by members of Western North Carolina’s legislative delegation. Elevate Demo Day (Private invitation, then open to the public. Link coming soon.)– January 22nd, 4 p.m., at The Collider. See the latest Elevate cohort pitch, updates from last year’s startups, and more information on the Asheville Impact Micro-Grant. Audience: Investors, Founders, or anyone who wants to see a group of entrepreneurs at the top of their game. Pitch Breakfast – January 30th, 9 a.m., Asheville Social Hall. Join Juan Garzon, Justin Agans, and a panel of investors reviewing real entrepreneurs pitching for real cash.Wow, what a month here in AVL! I’ve missed you all so much. See you at the Pitch Party, where pitches get stitches. Later Gator, Jeff |
