On Thursday, Nov. 5, a sold-out crowd of 220+ people packed Highland Brewing’s Event Center for Mountain Raise 2026, Mountain BizWorks’ annual night celebrating WNC entrepreneurs. This year’s menu had a theme: five food and beverage founders, five big ideas, and five ways the community can help them grow.
Five Founders, Five Big Ideas at Mountain Raise 2026
Each presenter took the stage to share where their business is headed and what it will take to get there:
- Ben Colvin of Devil’s Foot Beverage Company seeks funding to scale up operations.
- Sabrina Hill of Spice Witch will launch a new line of products and explore packaging opportunities.
- Christian Ramazzini of Little Guatemala plans to purchase space to expand and boost online marketing efforts.
- Samm Coffin of Matcha Nude is launching a brand new portable Matcha product.
- Maan Khzam of Habibi Village plans to open a brick-and-mortar location.
Every presenter went home with $1,500 to put back into their business. Attendees also voted live for their favorite pitch, and Maan Khzam of Habibi Village won the Crowd Choice Award. The $2,500 bonus will support his plan to open a brick-and-mortar location. In all, Mountain Raise awarded $10,000 to the five businesses.
Everyone Has a Part to Play
Mountain Raise takes its name from the tradition of a barn raising, where a whole community shows up to build something together. The crowd vote brings that spirit into the room: every attendee helps decide who takes home the top award.
That spirit doesn’t end when the night does, either. You can still connect with the presenters, see what each one needs to grow, and find ways to help.
Keep the Good Going
Finally, many WNC small businesses are still recovering from Helene, and the best thing any of us can do is keep showing up. This holiday season, grab dinner at a local spot, pick up gifts from makers down the street and bring a friend to the brewery. Every dollar spent close to home helps our region keep moving forward.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
It takes many hands to raise a barn! Thanks to Mountain Raise presenting sponsors First Horizon Foundation, Redefine Alliance, and Roberts Impact Investing Fund: Appalachian Growth Fund. Thanks also to supporting sponsors Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, First National Bank, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, Intrinsic Construction, McGuire Wood & Bissette Law Firm, Mountain BizWorks Market Advisors, Optimist Ventures, and Venture Asheville.
Special thanks to our venue and beverage partner Highland Brewing; speaker Zane Adams of FedUp Foods; DJ Marley Carroll; photographer MsPearl Productions; and featured caterers Delish, Dalaya Thai, Gypsy Queen Cuisine, Habibi Village, Smokee’s, and Thai Pearl, all Mountain BizWorks clients.
All photos: MsPearl Productions
