The
deadline to apply to the competitive program is January 29
It is a well-known fact that
small businesses have led new job creation in the U.S. economy for the last
decade. In fact, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA),
businesses with fewer than 20 employees account for 90 percent of all U.S.
firms and are responsible for more than 97 percent of all new jobs.
Less well-known however is
that the vast majority of these new jobs are created by the sustained,
incremental expansion of existing
small businesses, and that start-ups account for only 7 percent of net new
jobs. The ScaleUp WNC program offered by Mountain BizWorks is specifically
focused on this economic opportunity: providing targeted growth strategy
development and implementation assistance to existing small business owners
with strong opportunities for growth.
"Since the ScaleUp program, we have added a whole new
division of our company, we were able to get our operation manuals on track and
now we’re even looking at opening another location!" –
Tyler Garrison, CEO of Regeneration Station (ScaleUp WNC alumni)
Using a cohort based approach, with 15 businesses accepted into
each group, ScaleUp WNC provides mentorship, management training, growth
capital connections and other critical resources to help companies achieve
sustained and profitable growth. Cohort members also gain a strong peer CEO
network within their cohort and with the now more than 60 ScaleUp WNC alumni as
well (listed below).
Applications are now being accepted for the two ScaleUp WNC
cohorts for 2017. The deadline to apply is January 29. Visit ScaleUpWNC.com
for more information and to apply. Cohort 5 will begin in late
February in Asheville. Cohort 6 will start in June and will be based in Boone,
the first cohort to be held outside of Asheville. Based on previous interest,
Mountain BizWorks expects to fill both cohorts from applications received
during this application window. Interested applicants are also invited to
attend one of the following informational sessions:
- Tuesday 1/17 4:30pm at Basil's & Booneshine in Boone
- Wednesday 1/18 4:30pm at the new East Fork Pottery store in Asheville
- Thursday 1/19 4:30pm at Innovation Brewing Sylva
Details and registration at ScaleUpWNC.com
In addition to the caliber of companies selected, a strength of
ScaleUp WNC is the diversity of companies participating. Industries represented
in the prior cohorts ranged from food & beverage to outdoor industry, and
from manufacturing to professional services. Accepted companies hailed from
Boone to Asheville to Bryson City and places in between. Mountain BizWorks
strongly encourages applications from women-owned, minority-owned,
veteran-owned and rural-based businesses. Over half of the 2016 participants
met one or more of these criteria..
"This year it looks like we are on track to double our
revenues, which we really attribute to the ScaleUp Program." -
Kim Celetano, CEO of VirtualJobShadow.com (ScaleUp WNC alumni)
Fifteen founders or executive managers of growth-oriented small
businesses will be selected through a competitive, merit-based application
process for each ScaleUp WNC cohort. Businesses must be based in Western North
Carolina, have at least one full-time employee, and have identified
opportunities for business expansion. Additionally, accepted businesses
typically have been in for business for at least 2 years and have annual
revenues between $150,000 and $750,000.
This unique program is offered at no-cost thanks to funding from
the U.S. Small Business Administration, however companies chosen are expected
to make a firm commitment of time to participate in the program. Western North
Carolina has been selected as one of the first eight places nationally to
launch an SBA ScaleUp America program, a recognition of the vibrant
entrepreneurial community in WNC.
Additional program details, dates and the online application
form are available at ScaleUpWNC.com.
ScaleUp WNC alumni companies include: Cohort 1: Brightfield
Transportation Solutions, Carolina Native Nursery, Dieseljobs.com, Dolci di
Maria, Equinox, Farm to Home Milk, Hi-Wire Brewing, Lusty Monk, Mother Earth
Produce, New Appalachia, Outrider USA, SimpleShot Shooting Sports, Strivven
Media/Virtual Job Shadow, The Filling Station Deli And Sub Shop, Ultimate Ice
Cream. Cohort 2:
APEX Brain Centers, Appalachia Cookie Company, BearWaters Brewing Company, Cab
Hound, Covenant Health Products, Destination by Design, Dog Door Canine
Services, eCBiz Solutions, Go Yoga, GoWorx, Heurista, Odyssey ClayWorks, Sherpa
Hunting, Spectra3D Technologies, The Regeneration Station. Cohort 3: Black Mountain
Ciderworks, Blue Ridge Energy Works, Brian Boggs Chairmakers, Copper Pot &
Wooden Spoon, East Fork Pottery, Innovation Brewing, Kudzu Brands, Medea's
Espresso & Juice Bar, No Evil Foods, Organic Planet Cleaning, Outfitter
Bicycle Tours, Pisgah Pest Control, Port City Music, Printville, Still Point
Wellness. Cohort 4:
Addison Farms Vineyard, ADORAtherapy , All American Food Fights, Big Boom
Design, Blue Ridge Solutions, Brewed For Her Ledger, Bright Star Touring
Theatre, DuinoKit, Duncan & York, Elements, JB Media Institute,
Jennythreads, Jukebox Junction Restaurant & Soda Shoppe, Sunburst Chef and
Farmer, The Sunset Motel, Wishbone Tiny Homes
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