NextGEN, alongside our partners at Venture Asheville, is thrilled to announce we’ve been awarded a one-year grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) ARISE program! This grant, with local matching funds, will enhance our efforts to empower high-impact small businesses in Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC. The timing of this partnership is critical as our friends in the Asheville area are still, and will be for months if not years, impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Through this initiative, both organizations will strengthen our delivery of the MIT Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) program—a proven, team-based mentoring model providing structured, conflict-free guidance to company founders. Since launching VMS programs in 2015, both NextGEN and Venture Asheville have achieved remarkable results in supporting and scaling high-potential startups, making a lasting economic impact in our communities. Learn more about our mentor continuum.
What this grant means for our communities:
During the grant period starting in January 2025, we’ll be focusing on:
- Enhanced Collaboration: Learning from each other’s successes and challenges to better serve our communities.
- Resource Sharing: Developing shared resources for mentor education and onboarding to strengthen our programs.
- Professional Development: Providing impactful training for both our staff and mentors, helping them bring even more value to entrepreneurs.
- Mentor Appreciation: Recognizing the commitment and contributions of our mentors who drive positive outcomes for the businesses they support.
With this collaborative approach, we aim to build stronger, more resilient VMS mentoring programs, fostering growth and innovation in Asheville, Greenville, and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey to boost entrepreneurial success in our region! If you’re curious how to take advantage of our mentor programs, reach out either via our contact form or email!