Entrepreneur-in-
Expand Entrepreneurial Support at Your College – Partner with Hatch AVL Foundation & Venture Asheville
Empower Your Students and Local Entrepreneurs through Mentorship and Resources
Hatch AVL Foundation and Venture Asheville, thanks to the generous support of the NC IDEA Foundation’s Ecosystem Grant, are excited to partner with colleges and universities across Western North Carolina (WNC) to bring expert mentorship and entrepreneurial resources to your campus. This collaboration focuses on providing critical support to women, minority, and rural entrepreneurs—communities essential to the economic growth of the region.
What We Offer
We are launching a one-year pilot program designed to help entrepreneurs in rural and underserved communities, especially those impacted by Hurricane Helene. This initiative will deploy seven Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) mentors who will be stationed at colleges and universities in WNC. Each EIR will provide personalized, hands-on guidance in areas such as product development, business strategy, sales, tech, and financial management.
By hosting an EIR at your college or university, your institution will offer students and entrepreneurs direct access to experienced mentors who can help them grow their businesses and connect with the resources they need to thrive.
How It Works
- Once your school is selected, an EIR will be assigned to hold one-on-one office hours on campus one day a month.
- Entrepreneurs can book a session with the EIR to receive guidance on a startup or business idea they’re working on. It can be a one time engagement or recurring if additional support is needed.
The pilot program starts on June 1 and runs for 12 months to include the following semesters: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.
Meet Our Mentors
Brock Busby
READ BROCK'S BIO
Brock is an award-winning product and experience strategist who builds innovative solutions that connect and inspire. With a background spanning internet, software, and creative agencies, he later founded a gaming startup that grew into a platform connecting over 30 million players worldwide.
He’s helped launch high-impact products—including Nike+—and has led projects for clients like HBO, Google, Virgin Voyages, TED, and Verizon across gaming, healthcare, retail, and more.
Brock thrives at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human connection, and regularly mentors startups and entrepreneurs.
Del Coufal
READ DEL'S BIO
Del has over 20 years of experience in startup and early-stage company growth, serving in leadership, advisory, and board roles across 12+ organizations. His efforts have contributed to two IPOs—including the third-largest healthcare IPO of the decade—and three acquisitions. His expertise spans business planning, marketing and sales strategy, fundraising, investor relations, and HR assessment.
He has also held commercial leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies (J&J and GE) and served as CEO of a heart institute offering diagnostic and outpatient care.
Mr. Coufal holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Matt Godfrey
READ MATT'S BIO
Matt is a business strategist and ecosystem builder with 15+ years of experience supporting early-stage entrepreneurs across tech, manufacturing, consumer products, and outdoor recreation. At Venture Asheville, he leads mentorship and accelerator programs that help founders scale high-growth startups.
Previously, he was Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance, where he grew the organization’s impact and championed one of WNC’s fastest-growing industries. Matt’s expertise includes startup advising, accelerator leadership, and guiding founders through growth, capital, and team development.
He holds an MBA from Western Carolina University and a BS in Business Administration and Outdoor Recreation Management from Appalachian State University.
Ann Hintzman
READ ANN'S BIO
Ann is a design and innovation executive who helps organizations build products that meet real human needs. With over 20 years of experience, she has led teams in Fortune 100 companies, startups, and nonprofits to deliver impactful solutions at scale.
She was formerly Chief Design Officer at Fractal.ai and a VP at Salesforce, where she combined empathy and strategy to drive growth. Her client work includes global brands like PepsiCo, Samsung, Bayer and Microsoft across industries from healthcare to AI.
Ann also mentors entrepreneurs and early-stage teams, bringing a thoughtful, user-centered approach to every conversation.
Emi Kubota
READ EMI'S BIO
Emi is a two-time exited founder, business coach, and certified Pinnacle Guide with over 20 years of leadership experience. She’s worked across startups, family businesses, and advisory roles, helping entrepreneurs build resilient, values-driven companies.
Her expertise includes growth strategy, product development, and systems integration, with a people-first approach to leadership. As Entrepreneur in Residence, Emi supports students, faculty, and local founders with practical tools and strategic guidance.
She’s passionate about cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs in WNC through coaching, collaboration, and curiosity-driven innovation.
Jay Mixter
READ JAY'S BIO
Jay is a Fractional CxO and Strategic Advisor who helps startups and established companies succeed by optimizing market entry and commercialization strategies. A serial entrepreneur, he has led new ventures and held fractional and interim roles across startups and corporate innovation teams. Jay brings deep expertise in product development, marketing, and go-to-market planning across industries such as healthtech, IT, SaaS, IoT, consumer electronics, telecom, and more.
With an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth, he has helped launch hundreds of products and services. Jay is also a former professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an active startup mentor and advocate for innovation-driven causes.
Nicole Will
READ NICOLE'S BIO
Nicole brings nearly 25 years of experience in hospitality, guiding, and entrepreneurship across the Americas, with a grounded, human-centered approach to mentorship. Her most formative role was as a mentor-level field guide in wilderness therapy, supporting youth and training new staff—an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to mentorship.
She has founded two mission-driven businesses, including Asheville Wellness Tours, which she has led for nine years, helping thousands reconnect with nature through curated wellness experiences. Now based in Western North Carolina, Nicole supports emerging entrepreneurs on the practical and emotional journey of building a business.
Why Partner with Us?
Partnering with Hatch AVL Foundation and Venture Asheville means becoming an integral part of a larger mission to support high-growth businesses and create a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in WNC. With your commitment, we can bring this transformative program to your students, local entrepreneurs, and surrounding communities.
Mentorship for Students
Give your students the opportunity to work closely with industry experts who can help them grow their ideas into viable businesses.
Business Growth
Your local entrepreneurs will benefit from tailored mentorship, leading to greater innovation and job creation.
Regional Impact
By partnering with us, your college or university will play a key role in building a thriving entrepreneurial network that spans urban and rural areas across WNC.
What We Need from You
We are seeking colleges and universities that are ready to commit to hosting one EIR on a monthly basis. The EIR will need office space to meet with students or entrepreneurs one-on-one.
There is no financial ask of the partner institution. All costs (valued at $15,000 per EIR) are covered by the grant and facilitated through the Hatch AVL Foundation
Learn More — Email Our Programming Manager
For more details, please email Kate Callaghan, our Programming Manager, at kate@hatchavl.org.
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