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Deadline is June 4th

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Connect with fellow creatives
  • The Center

    • Center for Creative Economy

    CCE provides inception-stage business training to help creatives and artists develop viable businesses. Our customized education and mentorship programs fulfill our mission to launch, grow, and accelerate creative businesses.

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    A nonprofit organization, CCE strives to strengthen the creative economy and the creative community in Winston-Salem, NC and beyond.
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    Since 2016 CCE's Impact
    - 126 creative startups launched
    - 64% founded by women
    - 39% founded by minorities
    - 77% are still thriving
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    Our cohorts' success
    - $24 million in revenue earned
    - $29.5 million in investment raised
    CCE continues to support founders with mentorship and accountability as their businesses grow.

    • Pathways for Entrepreneurial Success
    • Kinetic Creative Boot Camp
    • Velocity Creative Accelerator
    • Momentum Creative Business Network

    Learn More
  • Pathways Mindset Training

    • Pathways for Entrepreneurial Success

    An inclusive training program focusing on developing the skills and mindset required to launch a business

    • Equips future entrepreneurs with a business mindset
    • Promotes effective communication and accountability
    • Guides participants to resources in Winston-Salem ecosystem

    Learn More
  • Kinetic Boot Camp

    • Kinetic Creative Boot Camp

    Take your business idea to the next level! Kinetic is a 6-week, cohort-based program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs workshop their early-stage creative business ideas and explore their customer base. Weekly curriculum (with in-person and remote options) is taught by a team of subject matter experts who mentor and counsel founders.

    Kinetic graduates have successfully launched their startups, earned spots in business accelerators, and secured grants.

    • Validate your business idea
    • Discover and understand your customer
    • Learn how to forecast the financials for your business

    Learn More
  • Velocity Accelerator

    • Velocity Creative Accelerator

    Hit the gas on your startup! The Velocity business accelerator helps entrepreneurs develop viable businesses rooted in creativity. This 10-week, cohort-based program includes a robust curriculum (with in-person and remote options), skilled facilitators, and a customized mentor team of subject matter experts from every business discipline.
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    Master business basics, solidify your positioning, and refine your pitch for a chance to win a $10K seed stage grant.

    • Refinement of your creative business model
    • Customized one-on-one mentoring
    • Investor pitch development

    Learn More
  • Momentum Network

    • Momentum Creative Business Network

    Momentum brings together creative entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey to breakdown creative silos, connect, and build an innovative community.

    • Connect with fellow creatives
    • Build community and network

    The work of the Center for Creative Economy is transforming the region’s creative cluster

    by focusing on programming designed for creatives to engage, connect, and spur innovation.

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    Companies Launched

    CCE has supported more than 127 creative companies to help them launch, accelerate, and grow as they work to understand what it takes to run a startup.

    Still Thriving

    Creatives are smart, and once they learn the business skills needed, then it’s off to the races earning revenue. The creatives in our cohort are staying in business!

    What Creative Entrepreneurs and Leaders Say About Us

    We are very proud of the work we do to support creative entrepreneurs build their businesses.
    “The Center for Creative Economy is an important part of the entrepreneurial growth of Winston-Salem. The creative jobs they nurture and launch are perfectly aligned and in fact contribute to our city’s transition and growth. It is important to recognize the impact that CCE is having on this community and beyond in NC, the Southeast, and nationally.”

    Allen Joines

    Mayor of the City of Winston-Salem

    “The collaboration and experience of mentors combine has really helped give a roadmap of what to do in business “

    Beth Glover

    Founder & Artist of JoyFire

    “I found meetups to be quite informative, and everyone here has been quite welcoming and friendly and they’re wanting to talk to you about what you are doing.``

    Monica Melton

    Piedmont Jazz Alliance, Executive Director

    “Creativity and innovation flourish most when surrounded by a network that understands what is needed to drive success. The Center for Creative Economy provides fuel for creative businesses through programs, accelerator curriculum, and knowledgeable, committed mentors who understand their needs. Exciting breakthroughs are being catalyzed through this endeavor. Let's keep up the momentum!”

    L. David Mounts

    Inmar, Chairman & CEO

    “The Center for Creative Economy is like an ecosystem of people who are just as driven and passionate as I am. And being beside those people really motivates me to push myself to a level I’ve never been to.”

    Kevin Clark

    CEO & Founder of Point Motion

    “We are beginning to draw people in from across the country and the world who want to come here, participate and learn the process of how to have a successful startup. The City of Winston Salem is an avid support of the Center for Creative Economy because we want CCE to help showcase our great City of Arts and Innovation.”

    Denise D. Adams

    Council Member, City of Winston-Salem

    “The most useful thing about this creative accelerator has been really forcing myself to dig into aspects of my business: Planning, forecasting, and even dreaming, that I would have put off for later.”

    Shayla Herndon-Edmunds

    Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Oh My Goodness Herbal Bar

    “The Center for Creative Economy is a center of gravity in the Piedmont Region, where creatives can now go and have a place to explore the economic potential of their creative process and products.”

    Thom Ruhe

    NC IDEA, President & CEO

    Watch a recap of Velocity's Demo Day 2023!

    The Center for Creative Economy is made possible by our partners.

    Our Partnerships
    Learn more about becoming a partner.