We knew when we created Supportedly.com that there were a lot of amazing resources for entrepreneurs all over North Carolina, but even we’ve been blown away by how many programs are available to support you on your entrepreneurial journey. Over the next couple of months, we’re going to highlight just a few from each region. In this post, we’ve rounded up a handful of world-class resources for entrepreneurs in Catawba Valley/Hickory.

The Edison Project

Money | Advice & Mentoring

Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
1055 Southgate Corporate Park SW
Hickory, NC

The Edison Project is a pitch and business plan competition, hosted annually by the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce for budding entrepreneurs in the greater Hickory area. Finalists get access to business advisors and local entrepreneurial resources as they vie for seed money prizes up to $8,000. Applications for the next competition will likely be due in August 2019.

This program earned five Supportedly.com high-fives from Tyler in April 2018: “The Edison Project is a great way to get mentoring and advice for a business that you would like to start. The competition is fierce but you will learn a lot from your time with the mentors. This program is a great way to grow and develop your business.”

Shark Tank Competition

Money | Advice & Mentoring

Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC

Catawba Valley Community College’s Emerging Entrepreneurs Club hosts a Shark Tank Competition with two divisions – high schoolers compete in the spring, and college students compete in the fall. To learn more about the fall competition, contact CVCC’s Small Business Center at 828-327-7000, ext. 4102.

Sewn Goods 101

Knowledge & Skills

Carolina Textile District
Morganton, NC

Carolina Textile District’s Sewn Goods Workshops provide basic information about establishing a domestic textile production supply chain. As a participant, you can choose between two-day, onsite workshops or a webinar series.

Crafted Production and Democratic Workplaces Workshop

Knowledge & Skills | Advice & Mentoring

Carolina Textile District
Morganton, NC

This program will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about cut and sew manufacturing. (We know, we know – this is pretty specific – but the Hickory metro area is known for its world-class textile and hosiery facilities!) This is a weeklong program offered annually in Morganton.

Hosiery 101 & 102

Knowledge & Skills

Manufacturing Solutions Center
Conover, NC

The Hosiery 101/102 course covers the basics of hosiery knitting, dyeing, finishing, and testing the quality of the manufacturing process. Entrepreneurs and business owners travel from all over the world to take courses at the Manufacturing Solutions Center.

Business Incubation

Space & Tools | Advice & Mentoring

Manufacturing Solutions Center
Conover, NC

If you have a great product idea in textiles and you’re ready to be your own boss, check out the Manufacturing Solutions Center’s business incubation program. The program was built to assist you in developing your product and getting it to market.

NC IDEA

Money | Advice & Mentoring

Durham, NC, and Statewide

While it’s true that NC IDEA is based in Durham, the organization’s mission is to maximize the economic potential for populations throughout the state of North Carolina. Don’t forget to check out the grants and programs available from statewide resources, particularly if you reside in a rural area.

Center for Commercial and Social Entrepreneurship – Business Incubator

Space & Tools | Advice & Mentoring

Lenoir Rhyne University
625 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC

Lenoir Rhyne’s Center for Commercial and Social Entrepreneurship operates a business incubator at its Hickory campus. The CCSE surrounds students, faculty, staff, and community members in an ecosystem of cross-disciplinary education, counseling, and funding. The sole intent is building companies and creating local and regional economic growth.

Your Turn!

If you live in the Catawba Valley area and are inspired by this list of resources for entrepreneurs, take some time to consider where you might fit into the entrepreneurial scene. Then, get involved!

Have a question about this topic or anything else?