Meet the 1st Cohort of Optimist Ventures Companies

We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever cohort of Optimist Ventures, a funding-focused accelerator designed to meet our local startups where they are, and take them further than they've ever been.

Meet the inaugural cohort:

• Asheville Tea Company: Vibrant Garden-Fresh Teas Without Additives or Fake Flavorings

• Carolina Flowers: Specialty Blooms with Appalachian Spirit

• Dare Vegan Cheese: Delicious, Handcrafted Vegan Cheeses & Treats

• French Broad Pastry: Artisan Bakery Producing French Style Specialties, Selling at Farmers Markets.

• Legally Addictive: Cookies With a Cult Following

• Matcha Nude: Sustainable Energy Without the Jitters

• Online Training Concepts: Innovative Solutions for Online Learning and Beyond

These seven companies embody the spirit of Asheville—bold, resourceful, and rooted in community. Additionally, each were drastically effected by Helene and are using technology to enable growth in their businesses.

On June 23, they’ll officially kick off their Optimist Ventures journey, receiving their first $25,000 non-dilutive grant. Over the next 12 weeks, they’ll participate in workshops, mentorship, and founder forums designed to build not just businesses, but resilient entrepreneurs.

And here’s the kicker: those who complete the accelerator will receive a second $25,000 in funding via a Shared Profit Agreement (SPA) Note, delivered during our big Demo Day celebration as part of Asheville Entrepreneurship Week in September.

We built this program to be founder-first, mentor-driven, and impact-obsessed. If this feels like something to root for, that’s because it is.

Let’s go, Optimists.