CVCC Announces "Startup Catawba"

CVCC Announces Startup Catawba

Startup Catawba is CVCC’s latest major investment in empowering entrepreneurs and business owners in the Catawba Valley.

02/14/2020

Startup Catawba Launch

Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) celebrated the launch today of its latest initiative to drive local economic development through entrepreneurship.

The initiative, called Startup Catawba, was created to help local entrepreneurs quickly and easily learn new skills, connect to support programs and resources, plug into the local ecosystem, and find inspiration from others.

Startup Catawba’s resource-rich web site gives entrepreneurs access to a free hyper-local digital portal providing: 

  • Free on-demand training modules on essential startup topics 
  • Easy access to the Small Business Center at CVCC 
  • Entrepreneurial support program directory  
  • Local entrepreneurial event calendars  
  • Inspiring stories of local entrepreneurs, mentors, and more 
  • A private community messaging and collaboration platform 

Startup Catawba is CVCC’s latest major investment in empowering entrepreneurs and business owners in the Catawba Valley.

“Instead of moving to larger cities, local entrepreneurs who want to start businesses where they want to live now have a one-stop-shop for the resources they need,” said Dr. Garrett D. Hinshaw, president of Catawba Valley Community College. “Startup Catawba is another strategic commitment by the college to advance entrepreneurship and empower the next generation of local business leaders.”

Startup Catawba is one of 10 similar initiatives launching throughout Western North Carolina this year, each lead by community colleges and their presidents who are members of the NC Rural Community College Alliance.  The alliance was formed by Dr. Hinshaw in 2019 to align the interests of a group of bold leaders who are united in the purpose of activating and accelerating rural entrepreneurship.

Startup Catawba was developed in partnership with CVCC strategic partner, Supportedly, and made possible through the support of the Belk Endowment and NC IDEA.  

Visit Startup Catawba to learn more about the regional initiative. 

About Catawba Valley Community College

CVCC is an accredited comprehensive community college serving Catawba and Alexander counties in North Carolina. Approximately 4,500 students are enrolled in college credit courses and more than 10,000 students are enrolled in short-term and occupational training opportunities. It offers programming in Hickory, Newton and Taylorsville and in many community and workplace locations. For more information, visit Catawba Valley Community College.

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