Are you launching a small business or looking to improve an existing one? There are lots of places in Asheville and Western North Carolina to look for assistance and resources. You can start at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Supportedly, but here is a list of valuable programs and events designed to help you succeed. Some are tailored to certain types of businesses or entrepreneurs and some are more general – check out our favorite entrepreneurial resources in WNC and see which ones work for you!
10 entrepreneurial resources in WNC
Workspace and enrichment
Focal Point Coworking — Focal Point is a shared work environment where people meet, work and network while sharing ideas and collaborating on projects. In our space, entrepreneurs and business professionals from all industries and areas of expertise come together to create a community of like-minded professionals. With monthly networking events and business development workshops, Focal Point’s growing community can help you improve and thrive.
The Collider — Facilitates rapid commercialization of climate tech ventures through startup bootcamps, skills-based workshops, and mentorship programs. The Collider connects industry leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, adaptation innovators, and climate scientists at conferences, climate data hackathons, and business roundtables to create synergy and accelerate market-driven climate solutions.
The Collider — Facilitates rapid commercialization of climate tech ventures through startup bootcamps, skills-based workshops, and mentorship programs. The Collider connects industry leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, adaptation innovators, and climate scientists at conferences, climate data hackathons, and business roundtables to create synergy and accelerate market-driven climate solutions.
Training and resources
Mountain BizWorks — Mountain BizWorks envisions a thriving Western North Carolina in which small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs have access to the resources needed to make their dreams a reality—a region where collaboration, creativity, innovation, and investment generate opportunity and prosperity for all. Mountain BizWorks’ mission is to build a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community in Western North Carolina by helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive. When small businesses succeed, we all prosper
A-B Tech Small Business Center —The Small Business Center at A-B Tech Enka is part of the statewide Small Business Center Network, a community college-funded initiative with a vision to foster and support entrepreneurship, small business, and economic development in local communities with an emphasis on assisting start-ups, early stage, and at-risk enterprises. In other words, we aim to increase the number of viable businesses across the state by providing high quality, accessible assistance to small business owners, which in turn, leads to job creation and retention.
SCORE — Asheville SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, is part of a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation's small businesses. Mentors, seminars and events, and templates and tools are available
A-B Tech Small Business Center —The Small Business Center at A-B Tech Enka is part of the statewide Small Business Center Network, a community college-funded initiative with a vision to foster and support entrepreneurship, small business, and economic development in local communities with an emphasis on assisting start-ups, early stage, and at-risk enterprises. In other words, we aim to increase the number of viable businesses across the state by providing high quality, accessible assistance to small business owners, which in turn, leads to job creation and retention.
SCORE — Asheville SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, is part of a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation's small businesses. Mentors, seminars and events, and templates and tools are available
Networking
1 Million Cups — An event for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the thriving peer network of founders in Asheville. The coffee is highly encouraged.
Financial focus & specialized services
Western Women’s Business Center — The mission of the Western Women's Business Center (WWBC) is to provide technical assistance, capital and programs that reduce the barriers and serve as a catalyst to the success of women entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina. The WWBC meets the needs of women entrepreneurs through one-on-one business coaching and counseling, workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, and technical assistance.
Venture Asheville — Venture Asheville grows Asheville’s startup community and connects high-growth entrepreneurs to talent, mentors and investors through unique programming and events. We measure progress in terms of high-growth ventures created, seed and venture capital invested and high salary jobs generated. We’re excited about Asheville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We think you will be too.
SparkTank — The Spark Tank mission is to enhance the support that business service providers in WNC give entrepreneurs and, through collaboration, develop partnerships that support those who seek tools, resources, and capital.
Family Business Forum at UNC Asheville — The mission of the UNC Asheville Family Business Forum is to provide professional learning opportunities to help family-owned businesses maximize the overall well-being of their company and to assist with transition planning for the next generation of family ownership.
Venture Asheville — Venture Asheville grows Asheville’s startup community and connects high-growth entrepreneurs to talent, mentors and investors through unique programming and events. We measure progress in terms of high-growth ventures created, seed and venture capital invested and high salary jobs generated. We’re excited about Asheville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We think you will be too.
SparkTank — The Spark Tank mission is to enhance the support that business service providers in WNC give entrepreneurs and, through collaboration, develop partnerships that support those who seek tools, resources, and capital.
Family Business Forum at UNC Asheville — The mission of the UNC Asheville Family Business Forum is to provide professional learning opportunities to help family-owned businesses maximize the overall well-being of their company and to assist with transition planning for the next generation of family ownership.