Applications are now open for Mountain BizWorks‘ fifteenth ScaleUp WNC cohort. ScaleUp is Mountain BizWorks’ flagship growth program for established Western North Carolina small businesses with strong growth and scale potential. Interested companies should apply to join the ScaleUp cohort by Thursday, January 14, 2027. The program begins March 12, 2027. Since its launch in…
Join Mountain BizWorks for Mountain Raise, its annual “barn raising” for the WNC local economy. This year’s event is Thursday, November 5, from 6–9 p.m. at Highland Brewing Event Center. Guests will hear from five local businesses looking for support to grow, and, for the first time, all presenters are food and beverage entrepreneurs. FedUp…
Since we announced Asheville Recovers Together on May 29, our team has been working through all 771 applications and the 4,000+ supporting documents that came with them. Over half of those applications included at least one document that didn’t meet program requirements. We knew in advance that some applicants might need extra time or support…
September 27, 2026 marks two years since Hurricane Helene brought widespread devastation to Western North Carolina. Flooding swept through our streets, destroyed homes, and cut off roads, power, and water. It took the lives of more than 100 of our neighbors. Despite the grief and overwhelming period following, small businesses across Western North Carolina generously…
Applications are now open for the 7th Catalyst Cohort, a business growth program for under-resourced entrepreneurs. Since 2020, Catalyst Cohorts have nurtured more than 60 entrepreneurs ready to take their businesses to the next level. Applications for this round will be accepted from August 24 through September 25, 2026. Catalyst Cohorts pair entrepreneurs with a…
Small businesses still climbing back from Hurricane Helene just got some breathing room. On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 268 into law, extending the 1% low-rate window on WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund loans by another six months. The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund* was launched ten days…
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