What to expect from Asheville Entrepreneurship Week 2022

From networking to educational events, this annual event celebrates our city’s startups, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

City leaders gather outside to celebrate Asheville Entrepreneurship Week

Mayor Esther Manheimer signed the Asheville Entrepreneurship Week proclamation in August 2018.

Photo via Venture Asheville

Asheville Entrepreneurship Week returns Mon., Sept. 12 through Fri., Sept. 16. An annual event that began in 2017, it’s a celebration of the city’s startups, businesses, and entrepreneurs from every industry. To commemorate the occasion, the city will be flexing its business brawn with networking opportunities, Q+A sessions with local luminaries, and educational events.

Ready to get down to business? Here’s what to expect.

Mon., Sept. 12

The week kicks off at Black Wall Street (8 River Arts Pl.) at noon with a proclamation and announcements from the City, followed by lunch and a show + tell showcasing Black Wall Street’s entrepreneurs and their wares in a show and tell format (meaning no pitch or slides).

Tues., Sept. 13

Day two continues with the Corporate Entrepreneurship Series at UNC Asheville from 8:15-11 a.m. Featuring guest speaker Ana Pinheiro Privette, Global Lead for Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative, the event will examine how being value-based and cause-driven leads to more innovative organizations.

Wed., Sept. 14

Networking event 1 Million Cups takes place from 9-10 a.m. in the Hatch Innovation Hub building, offering folks the chance to meet + present their startups to a network of local leaders. And because everyone’s gotta eat, the evening wraps up with a Digital Nomad’s Celebration at Harvest Pizzeria (39 Banks Ave.) at 5:30 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 15

Sit in on a live taping of Venture Asheville’s podcast, Talking ’Ship, taking place at new cabin site Wrong Way Lodge from 12-1 p.m., and hear the founders’ business story. Bonus? Lunch is provided. The event is free and attendees must RSVP.

Fri., Sept. 16

The week concludes with “Everything You Wanted to Ask an Investor but Were Too Afraid,” at Hatch Innovation Hub from 4-6 p.m.. Visit for a candid, “ask me anything” event with local investors, followed by a happy hour celebration.

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