Live in Boone, N.C.? Trying to get your startup off the ground in the High Country region?
Depending on where you live, you might be in luck.
Startup High Country, an organization that supports existing and emerging startups in the Boone area, is putting out a call for local entrepreneurs to apply to its three-month accelerator.
The program, called Velocity Labs, helps early-stage pre-revenue companies build and test their products with potential customers.
The curriculum consists of six sessions of learning activities and presentations from guest speakers, six fireside chats with entrepreneurs, six group work sessions focused on building a value proposition, six mentor sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs, and two community networking events with regional funders and entrepreneurs.
The program culminates in an opportunity for participants to pitch their company to Startup High Country’s High Country Impact Fund.
The accelerator first kicked off in September with a cohort of seven startups. Their offerings range from an ecommerce market for local businesses, to software that connects churches with volunteers, to a fitness training startup, to a local coffee brand.
Velocity Labs is growing with the help of a $100,000 ECOSYSTEM Grant from NC IDEA, awarded in September. The funding helps the organization further build its accelerator and other programming to support economic development and growth in the region.
In addition to the Velocity Labs, Startup High Country operates the High Country Impact Fund, which was established in November 2017 and serves as the first-ever angel investment fund in the region. It’s community development arm, Silicon Hollar, hosts monthly startup socials, popup coworking and other events to help connect Boone’s startup community.
The first cohort of Velocity Labs graduated last month, and now the program seeking a fresh group of founders to apply to the second class.
The cost of the program is $200 per month. Applications are due January 30 and can be found here.
https://wraltechwire.com/event/application-deadline-velocity-labs-spring-2019-cohort/
