Charlotte’s entrepreneurial landscape is vibrant, with numerous programs dedicated to supporting small businesses and startups. These initiatives provide essential resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help local entrepreneurs thrive.
The Boost Pad
The Boost Pad is a Charlotte-based startup accelerator that empowers entrepreneurs in Mecklenburg County. It offers mentorship, funding, legal support, and a thriving founder community to help early-stage businesses launch and grow. The program includes a 14-week accelerator cohort, self-paced digital programs, and entrepreneurial mindset training. Ideal candidates are businesses with a maximum gross revenue of $175,000, aiming to create more jobs in the next 2-3 years. Learn more about The Boost Pad.
HIIVE Program
The Hub for Inclusivity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (HIIVE) is a nine-week small business educational program offered by Charlotte Center City Partners. HIIVE focuses on providing educational curriculum and operating space opportunities to food and retail businesses, prioritizing support for under-capitalized entrepreneurs. The program offers practical insights, networking opportunities, and real-world experiences to bolster small business skills. Discover more about HIIVE.
Rise Up CLT
Rise Up CLT is a mission-based nonprofit lender and business support center that provides resources and support to small businesses both locally and statewide. Their microlending program offers unique business loans up to $25,000, looking beyond credit scores to support entrepreneurs. Additionally, Rise Up CLT offers coworking spaces and various cohorts, initiatives, and trainings to support all stages of entrepreneurship. Find out more about Rise Up CLT.
Innovate Charlotte
Innovate Charlotte serves innovation-driven, venture-backable startups with the potential to scale nationally or globally. They connect founders with relationships, resources, and research needed to build venture-scale companies in Charlotte. Programs include Customer Discovery Labs, a six-week cohort program to help founders master customer discovery, and Founder Jams, one-day deep-dive workshops on important challenges founders face. Learn more about Innovate Charlotte.
Charlotte Regional Fund for Entrepreneurship (CRFE)
The CRFE is a charitable fund aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting increased innovation, and improving the development of high-growth entrepreneurs. Founded in 2013 as a public-private initiative, the CRFE seeks tax-deductible donations to fund nonprofit organizations and unique programs that help entrepreneurs develop business skills, technical talent, and networks necessary to grow. Explore the CRFE.
These programs exemplify Charlotte’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses, contributing to the city’s dynamic and thriving economy.