The startup scene in United States

Venture Asheville identifies itself as the high-growth entrepreneurship initiative of the Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition and Asheville Chamber. It states that its Elevate program launched in 2016. (Claims 109207, 109208)

The documented local ecosystem includes founder support, investment networks, research commercialization, and product companies. Venture Asheville describes Asheville Angels as a network of individual investment decision-makers rather than an investment fund. UNC Asheville reports that Jeff Hicks launched FernLeaf in 2014 and that FernLeaf and NEMAC signed a cooperative agreement in 2018. (Claims 109222, 109234, 109236)

Examples of companies and ventures connected to Asheville include Poppy, which the Chamber reports launched on Merrimon Avenue in 2014 and identifies as an Elevate graduate; HomeGauge, whose official contact page lists an Asheville office; and Level, whose terms list an Asheville legal-notice address. These records establish the specific local connections stated, not the current location of all company operations. (Claims 109223, 109226, 109230, 109238)

Regional food and production resources include A-B Tech BioNetwork's laboratory rental, testing services, and small product-development test kitchen, and Blue Ridge Food Ventures' 11,000-square-foot shared kitchen and natural-products facility in Candler. A-B Tech places its Enka Small Business Center in Candler, outside Asheville city proper. (Claims 109249, 109250, 109265)