Press release from Mountain BizWorks:
Hot on the heels of a highly impactful first year of ScaleUp WNC, Mountain BizWorks is very pleased to announce the call for applications for the third and fourth ScaleUp WNC cohorts. Cohort 3 will begin in March, and Cohort 4 will start in June. Based on previous interest, Mountain BizWorks may fill both cohorts from applications received during this application window.
The deadline to apply is January 31. Visit ScaleUpWNC.com for full program details and to apply.
What is ScaleUp WNC?
Starting a business is hard work. Scaling a business is equally hard, and often requires different strategy and skills than used in the startup phase. The ScaleUp WNC program works with existing entrepreneurs and small businesses owners from across WNC that have demonstrated initial success and have potential for significant growth.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 growth and contribute to the small business-led economic development of our WNC communities.
What’s the benefit?
Here are the program benefits ranked highest by our 2015 alumni:
- Gain a strong peer-CEO network within their cohort and with the ScaleUp WNC alumni (listed below)
- Get access to more than 40 experienced mentors and dedicated 1:1 technical assistance hours
- Participate in an intensive, 8-session management training course resulting in an actionable growth strategy & pitch presentation
- Strengthen pitch capabilities to be able to clearly and succinctly communicate your company to key stakeholders (clients, investors, team members, etc.)
- Make growth capital connections (1/3 of 2015 companies have secured growth capital since program start)
- Get a $1000 budget for custom resources needed to develop and implement your growth strategy (market research, prototyping, legal services, etc.)
Who should apply?
Mountain BizWorks is seeking up to 30 existing entrepreneurs with business growth opportunities to join the companies below in the ScaleUp WNC program.Ideal applicants will be founders or executives of growth-oriented small businesses 1) based in WNC, 2) with annual revenues between $150k-750k, 3) with at least one full time employee, and 4) with identified opportunities for expansion.
In addition to the caliber of companies selected, a strength of ScaleUp WNC is the diversity of companies participating. Industries represented in the first two 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 also strongly encourages applications from women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and rural-based businesses. Half of the 2015 participants met one or more of these criteria.
How much does it cost?
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.How do I apply?
Applications are now being accepted for the third and fourth ScaleUp WNC cohorts. The deadline to apply is January 31. Visit ScaleUpWNC.com for more information and to apply.
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