About Us
We aim to empower WNC founders by uniting the region’s entrepreneurial support, accessible resources, and world-class mentorship in one easy-to-navigate innovation hub.
Our Values
Equity
We’re here to support entrepreneurs of all ethnicities, backgrounds, nationalities, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations in bringing their visions to life, especially those from communities historically underrepresented in WNC’s business world.
Inclusion
We embrace diversity in all its forms. The more backgrounds, ideas, perspectives, experiences, and skill sets represented at Hatch, the better our chances of achieving our mission.
Community
Our community is more than a network. It’s a collaborative and dedicated team of innovators who are wholeheartedly invested in each other’s success.
Creativity
From our programs and mentorship practices to our space and organizational culture, everything about Hatch is designed to nurture the creativity that powers entrepreneurship.
Courage
Entrepreneurship teems with unknowns and heaves with risks. We celebrate all founders for having the courage to embark on this challenging (but immensely gratifying) journey.
Paying it forward
Behind every successful entrepreneur is an invested support system. That’s why we encourage all who “make it” to pay it forward by helping someone else do the same.
Our Story
We’re a startup, too, and our story’s only beginning. Since we hatched in 2017, we’ve become the home for entrepreneurship in WNC. Now, we’re working with our partners to make WNC a globally-recognized home of entrepreneurs.
Download the 2023 Annual Report
Our Board
Mike Baer
HATCH CHAIR OF BOARD
THIRDPATH INITIATIVE FOUNDER
Maui Vang
HATCH VICE CHAIR FOUNDER OF UPHORA DANCE FITNESS & CO-FOUNDER OF TILLY
Chris Buehler
HATCH TREASURER
ENTREPRENEUR & COO
Jesse Fripp
HATCH FUNDRAISING VICE CHAIR
CEO SHINING ROCK VENTURES
Chris DeVault
HATCH BOARD MEMBER
FOUNDER OF ALPHA VANGUARD
Dr. Susan Clark Muntean
HATCH BOARD MEMBER
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT AT UNCA
Angela Brandt
HATCH NEW PROGRAMS LEADER
SERVICES SOLUTION ARCHITECT
Eileen Hutchison
HATCH COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
MARKETING COACH & STRATEGIST
Jeffrey Kaplan
HATCH BOARD MEMBER
VENTURE ASHEVILLE DIRECTOR
Betty Shotton
HATCH BOARD MEMBER
FOUNDER OF LIFTOFF LEADERSHIP
Kim Celentano
HATCH BOARD MEMBER
FOUNDER & CEO OF virtualjobshadow.com
Ursula Jorch
HATCH PROGRAMING CHAIR
BUSINESS CONSULTANT FRACTIONAL COO
Headquartered at Hatch
Our building is chock full of mission-driven innovators who are working to make WNC (and the world!) a thoughtfully accessorized, healthier, happier, more aware, more sustainable, more efficient, and more meaningfully connected place.
Our Partners
We're honored to be working alongside these incredible organizations to make WNC a great place to start and grow a business: