ASHEVILLE - Hatch Innovation Hub, a non-profit headquartered in downtown Asheville, is on a mission to create a thriving, inclusive, and equitable WNC economy by promoting regional entrepreneurship. Over the course of its six year history, the organization's footprint has more than tripled in size, from 12,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet. Its programs and mentorship offerings have expanded to serve entrepreneurs across multiple business development stages, And its board has grown from four to twelve members.

This month, Hatch is undergoing another significant evolution, as the organization's four co- founders have completed the full length of their terms on its board. George Glackin, former Procter and Gamble executive, is stepping down after six years serving as the board's Chair. Under his leadership, the organization has established itself as a central figure in WNC' startup ecosystem. “We started with a dusty, empty building, and have now built a vibrant home for entrepreneurship in our region,” he commented. Glackin plans to remain active in the startup ecosystem by mentoring founders through Hatch’s Pressure Test program.

Charlie Ball, owner of Ball Properties and the building Hatch calls home, is also rotating off the board, but he will continue to generously provide his space to the organization. Meg Ragland, founder of Plum Print, will be leaving her post as well, though her legacy of championing female leadership lives on in the fact that seven out Hatch's twelve 2023 board members are women. The last original member, Jon Jones, founder of Anthroware, will be stepping down after serving as chair of Hatch's programming committee. He played a significant role in launching and formalizing programs such as the Pressure Test, which he will continue his involvement with as a volunteer mentor.

"These four individuals have been outstanding leaders — they've built our organization on a culture of collaboration, altruism, and love for our region, and we are committed to carrying on the work they started to help WNC entrepreneurs succeed," commented Mike Baer, founder of ThirdPath Initiative and newly appointed chair of Hatch's board. Maui Vang, co-founder of Tilly and founder of Uphora Dance Fitness, will be stepping into the organization's Vice Chair position. Also, four new members, Betty Shotton, founder of LiftOff Leadership, Dr. Susan Clark Muntean, Associate Professor of Management at UNCA, Kim Celentano, co-founder and CEO of VirtualJobShadow.com, and Chris DeVault, founder of Alpha Vanguard, will be joining the Hatch board.

"Those of us who are rotating off the board will certainly miss it," Jones said. "But we couldn't

have asked for a more capable group at the helm. We know they'll steer us towards achievement of our ambitious goals." In partnership with Venture Asheville, Hatch has spent the past five years helping founders generate $105M in combined revenue, create 406 high paying jobs, and raise $25M in capital investments. Within the next three? Hatch leaders aim to triple that output.

A key part of their strategy has been uniting all of WNC's entrepreneurial support organizations into one accessible, inclusive, and easy-to-navigate hub. Last year, the non profit made great strides in doing so; it formed the Hatch Hub Partners group with Venture Asheville, Mountain BizWorks, Black Wall Street AVL, Eagle Market Streets Development Co., and the NC Biotechnology Center. This year, Hatch's board members will focus on deepening these partnerships and refining their offerings to further amplify the impact of our region's resource- rich entrepreneur support ecosystem.

For more information on Hatch Innovation Hub, visit HatchInnovationHub.org.