Optimist Ventures Application

Apply on this page to be considered for the Optimist Ventures Accelerator and funding. You can view the application as a pdf by clicking the adjacent button, prior to filling out the form.

Applications are open from June 15, 2026 to July 17, 2026.

After the application, several companies will be chosen to pitch the selection committee.

Once chosen, the accelerator programming will begin the week of August 17th 2026 and conclude the week of November 20th.

PREVIEW APPLICATION HERE

COMPLETE AN APPLICATION HERE

WARNING: DO NOT APPLY WITHOUT AN ACTIVE UEI NUMBER

6/15/26

Applications Open

7/17/26

Application Deadline

7/28/26

Finalists Notified

8/3/26-8/6/26

In-Person Finalist Pitches

8/7/26

Final Cohort Selection

8/14/26

Cohort Orientation Session

8/17/26

Accelerator Launch

Weekly in-person meetings, Every Thursday 9-2pm at 7 Acres

11/20/26

Graduation

Timeline

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds

(Eligible applicants may request additional assistance for items not covered under CDBG-DR resources through SPA Notes. Such assistance will be funded with philanthropic funding provided separately through private investors and will be governed by independent legal entities with separate boards and governance structures.)

Optimist Ventures will ensure grants to beneficiaries support the following allowable uses:

Working capital and operational continuity;
Inventory replacement;
Equipment purchase or repair*
Temporary lease or mortgage assistance;
Disaster-related technology or service upgrades;
Business planning and strategic recovery guidance;
Marketing, communications, or customer outreach services;
E-commerce or technology adoption assistance;
Financial literacy, budgeting, or post-disaster restructuring; and
Support to reestablish disrupted business services.

Optimist Ventures will ensure compliance with all use requirements and restrictions such as the following:

Demonstrate clear tie to unmet needs directly or indirectly resulting from Tropical Storm Helene.
Establish consistent eligibility review, disbursement tracking, and compliance protocols aligned with City and HUD requirements.
Ensure all grant uses are documented, tracked, and tied to a specific eligible business.
Ensure no grants are used for physical construction or improvements to real property.

Eligible Businesses

Optimist Ventures will ensure that CDBG-DR assistance is provided only to eligible small business beneficiaries in accordance with Program guidelines and HUD regulatory requirements. For the purposes of the Program, an eligible small business is defined as a privately owned, for-profit enterprise that:

Revenue min. $150K, max $2M
Pledge to participate in accelerator (1 day/week) in Asheville
Companies using technology to enable sustainable growth

Meets the US Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards for its primary industry as defined by the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code (13 CFR §121.201)17;
Maintains a principal place of business within Asheville city limits (definition below)*; and
Is independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field of operation on a national basis.

Principal Place of Business Definition

A principal place of business is defined as a physical, commercial location within Asheville city limits where the applicant regularly conducts its core business operations. This location must be controlled, leased, or owned by the applicant and must serve as the business’s primary operational base, as documented by a verifiable street address. If the business was displaced by Tropical Storm Helene, they will be expected to reopen within City limits in order to be eligible.

Maintains day-to-day operations

Makes management decisions

Maintains a main site of employees, production, or service delivery

Generates business revenue tied to the disaster area

Supporting Documents:

Current commercial lease, contractual agreement or deed for the business location

Utility bills (electric, water, gas, internet) in the business name

Business license or local occupation tax certificate listing the address

State or local sales tax registration tied to the physical address

Payroll records showing employees reporting to that location

Examples:

Local artists, creators and vendors whose operations or sales occur within a physical storefront or market space, identified as a principal place of business within the City, via a verified rental agreement, lease or service contract.

A locally owned restaurant that experienced water intrusion and extended closure due to storm related infrastructure failures.

A retail outfitter suffering inventory loss and reduced tourism after severe flooding.

A small manufacturing or craft production business with roof and equipment damage.

A rafting or outdoor adventure company unable to operate due to storm damaged waterways.

A ski adjacent retail or service business affected by access and infrastructure damage.

A small manufacturing facility rehiring LMI workers following storm disruption.

A food processing or packaging business restoring disaster related job losses.

A logistics or distribution operation creating new LMI jobs as part of recovery

The following business types are not eligible for assistance:

Passive real estate or investment holdings;
Short-term rentals of residential properties;
Political or lobbying organizations;
Cannabis-related operations;
Adult entertainment businesses;
Corporate-owned national franchises or chains; and
Entities listed in SAM.gov as suspended, debarred, or otherwise ineligible.