Venture Local 2012 was a tremendous success!
Thank you for attending and supporting our event focused on local, sustainable and social entrepreneurship opportunities in WNC. Check out photos and more from our friends at AshevilleChannel.com. Learn More

An initiative of the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council is a nurturing organization for entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina, creating homegrown jobs and growing the region's economy.

BREC supports entrepreneurs through the following four focus areas: education, mentoring and networking, communications and capital formation. BREC meets monthly, and provides quarterly opportunities for qualified entrepreneurial businesses to present plans before a group of local investors, the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network.

Startup activity in US at a 13-year high
A new study shows entrepreneurship is growing.

Press Release from Advantage Opportunity Fund recipient Noble Cider
Noble Cider announces release party Wednesday June 5 at Wedge Brewing in Asheville

AdvantageWest tops $1 million mark in loan financing to early-stage, high-growth startups in Western North Carolina.
The Advantage Opportunity Fund started in 2007 with $40,000 and thus far has provided seed-stage loans to 26 high-growth startups in the region.