A Full-Stack Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Since its earliest days, Winston-Salem’s growth has been spurred by the innovation of its entrepreneurs. Many things about this city have changed since its inception – trading textiles for tech startups and cubicles for co-working spaces. Today, a wide range of organizations like Winston Starts, the ACCESS Center for Equity + Success and the Center for Creative Economy provide a full continuum of support for entrepreneurs seeking funding and networking opportunities. The crown jewel is Winston-Salem’s Innovation Quarter, one of the fastest-growing urban-based districts for innovation in the United States with more than 1.9 million square feet of office, laboratory and educational space—which is now home to more than 170 companies, five academic institutions, 3,700 workers and 1,800 students. If you are embarking on a new business venture, you’ll find all the resources you need to succeed here.
Quick Links:
Additional Tools & Resources
Venture Capital and Funding
There are many programs in Winston-Salem designed specifically for entrepreneurs to jumpstart their business ideas. The ACCESS Center for Equity + Success helps minority- and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) thrive equitably by providing access to resources, technical support, contract opportunities, and financing. The Center for Creative Economy offers a boot camp, creative accelerator program and business network to ensure entrepreneurs’ success. First Launch Capital Fund is a seed stage venture fund that invests in tech start-ups and early-stage companies throughout the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina.
Co-Working Spaces and Incubators
Flywheel Coworking offers not only a place for entrepreneurs to work, but also workshops, panel discussions and a community of like-minded individuals. Winston Starts is a startup incubator dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurs’ business ideas and seeing them to grow to sustainable success.
#1
City for Small Business Growth
(Winston-Salem) | WalletHub 2019
#5
Best City for First-Time Homebuyers
(Winston-Salem) | Livability 2019
#3
Most Affordable Downtown in the U.S.
(Winston-Salem) | MSN Money 2019
#5
Best State for Doing Business
(North Carolina) | Area Development 2020
#4
Best Cities to Start a Small Business
(Winston-Salem) | ZenBusiness 2020
#5
Best State for Access to Capital & Project Funding
(North Carolina) | Area Development 2020
Want to learn more about entrepreneurship and growing a business in Winston-Salem? Contact Us
