When it comes to starting your own small business, there are a lot of nuts + bolts to figure out (like pricing, renting office space, insurance + registering your LLC). Thousands of founders Google their way through this process. But, an important IRL brick in the entrepreneurship building are incubators – programs for startups which helps businesses grow and get off the ground through coaching, affordable office space, marketing help, and more.

Supporting small biz’s is increasingly important. According to the US Small Business Association’s 2018 report:

In 2015, NC small business employed 1.6 million people (that’s 44.3% of the private workforce).
In 2018, small businesses netted a total of 50,881 new jobs.
890,398 small businesses currently operate in N.C.

Incubators are a vital resource for entrepreneurs looking to grow and succeed. But, they also help the local WNC community as small businesses become employers + economic powerhouses, which pours money back into Buncombe County.

And they’re not just for Silicon Valley startups either – A leading program here in WNC comes from an unlikely source – AB Tech Community College, Enka. Their Business Incubation Program has hosted almost 50 companies in their entrepreneurial development program, aimed at increasing business success right here at home.

DYK: In Asheville, 96% of businesses have 50 employees or less? Some of Asheville’s leading companies like Roots Hummus, Bellyak + Plum Print got their start with AB Tech.

The Basics

The AB Tech incubator program focuses on selecting startups that promise public or private good. In other words, they invest into businesses that will in turn invest into the community.

Some of the resources the incubator offers includes:

Connection + networking with other entrepreneurs
Collaboration + support
Confidential review of financial documents by the Small Business Center team
Access to client networking + funding opportunities that accelerate growth + profit margins
office space, wet labs, and production facilities

And for all those entrepreneurs-in-the-making out there, AB Tech also offers a continuing ed course and a few programming options for students.

Young Entrepreneurial Scholars (YES!) Camp | introduces rising sixth-ninth grade students to community entrepreneur mentors + generate business ideas
Student Business Incubation Program | provides structure + training for AB Tech students
Continuing Ed Incubation Entrepreneur Courses | Online and in-person entrepreneur training for any age

AB Tech’s incubator program has an all-star roster of participants that have graduated from their program or are currently enrolled. Click the button below for some of the businesses that are associated with AB Tech’s incubator program - you’ll be surprised at how many you recognize.

Current members

Roots Hummus | Food | 166 W. Haywood St. | Roots Hummus has been making small-batch

hummus since 2006 and recently launched the Roots Foundation, which bolsters outdoor classrooms + edible landscapes through hands-on participation.

Botany Every Day | Outdoor ed | An online hub of information for botanists + plant lovers. Botany Every Day also facilitates online classes and community events.

Bellyak | Outdoor rec | 1465 Sand Hill Rd. | Part paddleboard, part kayak. Bellyaks combine whitewater kayaking + paddling into one sport with their innovative design.

+ 17 more.

Program graduates

Plum Print | Arts | 45 S. French Broad Ave. | Turns your children’s artwork into book form

Smiling Hara Tempeh | Food | Locally sourced hemp protein products that are organic, high-quality, and GMO free.

PathFinder Digital | Tech | Pathfinder creates mobile terminal satellite communication units for clients including NASA.

+ 24 more.

Interested in incubation?

Here's how to apply.

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. AB Tech’s incubation services are for both community and economic development purposes. In other words, your business or startup needs to have the potential to give back to the community + create jobs for its members.
Fill out an application and agree to the terms + conditions of your participation: things like open bookkeeping, lease agreement, background check, regular reviews.
Attend your progress meetings, which will be held monthly, quarterly + annually