12.18.2023

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42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

If you start me up, I’ll never stop

Celebrating success at Venture 15 + Venture Asheville Honors

A presentation at Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors

RxRedefined took the top prize for fastest growing startup. | Photo by AVLtoday

Asheville’s startup economy means serious business. Venture Asheville, the entrepreneurship initiative of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, spent an evening recognizing the contributions and successes of some of the top startup players during the Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors ceremony.

The party may have passed, but we’re still celebrating these momentous metrics.

Let’s get down to business

The Venture 15 earned a combined annual revenue of more than $100 million, and their combined lifetime revenue is more than $286 million. They employ 358 people, created 145 jobs in 2023, and anticipate hiring 192 more employees in 2024.

So who are they?

The 15 fastest

These rankings are based on the company’s Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), which is the rate of speed a company or revenue is growing.

Rx Redefined, Inc. | CAGR: 137.47%
The company created a medical technology platform for physicians to distribute supplies directly to patients without the extra step of an intermediary.

SDV Office Systems LLC | CAGR: 111.63%
Working with specialty office equipment manufacturers for sales to the Federal Government, the team helps with interior design + project management and provides knowledge on government procurement and processes — all with veterans in mind.

East Perry | CAGR: 95.96%
The interior decor retailer sells sheepskins, Moroccan rugs, cowhides, and other artisan decor items.

Pirani Life | CAGR: 95.51%
The company designs insulated stackable tumblers in an effort to help reduce single-use plastic waste — plus a few other fun products.

Grind LLC | CAGR: 85.17%
The coffee shop, BIPOC incubator, and coworking + event space took the top spot last year, making history as the first Black-owned business to be recognized at the Venture 15.

Nomadic Marketing & Software | CAGR: 76.93%
The team of marketers, designers, and engineers provides digital marketing and software strategy services.

Nine more startups + six honors

Events

Monday, Dec. 18

Homelessness Learning Series | Monday, Dec. 18 | 10-11 a.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Attend the third and final session of the December series, with a focus on how to partner with local agencies + take action.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Dark City Poets Society: Poetry Night | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Oak & Grist Distillery, 1556 Grovestone Rd., Black Mountain | Free | Share 3-5 minutes of your poetry or sit back + drink in support of the Black Mountain Library.
Minute to Win It Holiday Game Night | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Mingle with other folks ages 18-39, then compete in goofy games with a holiday twist.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Jim Gaffigan | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $39.75-$99.75 | Join in a night of laughs on the stand-up comedian’s “Barely Alive” tour.
The Monthly Mixer Episode 3 | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 5-8 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Chill beats, good vibes, cocktails, tacos, dessert — plus, communal art and poetry + interactive games and activities.

Thursday, Dec. 21

Witchy Wonderland Solstice Market | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St., Asheville | Free | Spend Yule solstice at the brewhouse for last-minute shopping, live music, henna, and a coffee truck to keep you warm.
Raclette Dinner Party with Gourmand | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Asheville | $5-$50 | Nosh on small bites, wine, and the melty goodness of raclette.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Holiday

New Year’s Eve goals: She’s Got Soul

Capathia Jenkins will bring her powerhouse vocals to Harrah’s Cherokee Center for an unforgettable send-off of 2023. | Photos provided by Capathia Jenkins

Skip the house party and ring in the New Year with soul, symphony, and style at “New Year’s Eve: She’s Got Soul,” happening Sunday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m.

Featuring the Asheville Symphony + Broadway legend Capathia Jenkins, this evening extravaganza will be filled with iconic songs from legends of soul, including Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, James Brown, and more.

Tickets start at $37. Pro tip: Go all out with VIP table options, featuring wine and charcuterie, festive decor + premium orchestra views.

Pick your seats + get details

News Notes

Outdoors

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Buncombe County will open the first Open Space Bond project funding application window for Passive Recreation Lands projects. This part of the bond will help fund projects for publicly accessible land, outdoor spaces, and bodies of water where recreational activities have minimal stress on the land’s natural resources.

Civic

Corporations, nonprofits, and other qualified organizations can now apply for the Affordable Housing Services Program, which contributes funds to affordable housing projects. The program’s eligible activities include construction of new affordable housing and conversion of existing nonresidential spaces to affordable housing.

Development

At its Wednesday, Dec. 13 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Adjustments approved plans for Bel Air Asheville, a 104-acre glamping resort near Black Mountain. The Board also approved the Cypress Village development in Fletcher, with the developer saying the 131 townhomes fit the area’s need for missing middle housing. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Outdoors

In case you need another excuse to get outdoors, the National Park Service is adding a sixth free entry day in 2024. You’ll be able to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park with no parking fee (plus the other 62 national parks + ~430 NPS areas with no entry fee) on Wednesday, June 19 to mark Juneteenth. (WRTV)

Biz

Realize your business’ growth potential in the new year. Applications are now open for Mountain BizWorks’ annual ScaleUp program, which offers mentorship, management training, connections, and resources for grown-oriented small businesses. Submit an application by Sunday, Feb. 4.

Plan Ahead

Follow the yellow brick road... into Appalachia? The nonprofit Asheville Junior Theater will be giving “The Wizard of Oz” new life with bluegrass music and a familiar mountain setting. Get your tickets for Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

Regional

On Thursday, Dec. 14, the US Forest Service announced that the Black Bear Fire in Haywood County had reached 100% containment. The fire began in mid-November and burned more than 2,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest’s Appalachian Ranger District. (WLOS)

Active

Give the gift of 65 magical acres + endless outdoor adventures with a membership to The North Carolina Arboretum Society. With ten-plus miles of walking, biking, and hiking trails, and serene sites like the Bonsai Garden to explore, they may end up going every weekend.*

Health

Did you know? Mission Hospital uses some of western North Carolina’s most cutting-edge technology (including revolutionary, minimally invasive techniques). Make an appointment with Mission Surgery’s highly-specialized physicians, who treat hernias, pancreatitis, colorectal, + more.*

Eat

Dine outdoors even in the winter

35+ outdoor dining spots in Asheville

Get a glimpse of the setup at VISUALS. | Photo by AVLtoday

Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?

Even with the chill in the air, there are some patios that will call to us — thanks to heaters and crackling fires. Explore a few local spots that keep you warm even when you dine outside, not to mention 30+ more Asheville patios for outdoor eating any time.

The Bull and Beggar | 37 Paynes Way | Covered
Fine dining al fresco doesn’t have to end when the temperature drops — grab a patio seat under the heaters.

Leo’s House of Thirst | 1055 Haywood Rd. | Partially covered
Grab a glass + a few small plates, then choose a seat from a garden full of heater-adjacent tables, a covered back porch, or a spot around the roaring fire pit.

Mother | 244 Short Coxe Ave. | Uncovered
The South Slope spot lets you dine out in the sunshine but keeps the heaters on to make sure you’re toasty.

City Guides are presented by Laura Dahl, Broker City Home Realty.

Al fresco for all seasons

The Buy

The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.

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The Wrap

Todays edition by:
EDITOR’S NAME HERE

From the editor

Speaking of Venture 15 winners (if you clicked through to see the whole list), Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. shared a new release just in time for me to impress my family for the holidays and bring something zero-effort to the Christmas dinner table. The Apple Spritz soda, with NC apples + winter spices, might just make the other guests forget I didn’t sign up to make a side dish.

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