Avante Blog
The Steps to Start a Business (And Why You Don’t Have to Figure Them Out Alone)
So you have got an idea. Maybe it has been sitting in the back of your mind for months. Maybe a side hustle you started casually is starting to feel like something real. Maybe you are just tired of building someone else's dream and ready to start building your own....
CO.STARTERS vs. Avante: Which Business Bootcamp Is Right for Your Community?
If you are a Chamber of Commerce leader, Main Street director, or economic development professional exploring entrepreneurship programs for your community, you have probably come across both CO.STARTERS and Avante Bootcamp. Both are cohort-based business bootcamp...
What Is a Startup Accelerator? A Guide for Chamber of Commerce Leaders
If you work in economic development, lead a Chamber of Commerce, or manage a Main Street program, you have probably heard the term startup accelerator more than a few times in recent years. But what exactly does it mean, and why should it matter to your organization?...
Entrepreneurship Programs for Main Street: What Actually Works?
If you lead a Main Street program, work in a chamber, or sit in an economic development role, you’ve probably explored programs like CO.STARTERS, business bootcamps, business incubators, or even startup accelerators. On paper, they all sound similar. They all support...
How Startup Bootcamps Build Stronger Business Ecosystems
Startup bootcamps build stronger business ecosystems by giving entrepreneurs the structured training, peer community, and practical tools they need to launch businesses that actually survive and grow. If you lead a Chamber of Commerce, direct a Main Street program, or...
Building Connection in Real Life: Paishence Williams & the Johnson City Social Club
When Paishence Williams moved from the bustle of Los Angeles to Johnson City, she quickly realized something was missing, not the amenities or charm, but the connection. Making friends as an adult isn’t always easy, and relying on dating apps or social media feeds...
Why the Avante Canvas Is a Smarter Alternative to the Co-Starters Canvas
In the rapidly evolving landscape of business planning, entrepreneurs are constantly on the lookout for tools that empower their vision and streamline their process. Enter the Avante Canvas—a cutting-edge alternative to the well-known Co-Starters Canvas. While both...
Avante Relaunch Program
Johnson City, TN — June 3, 2025 — United Way of East TN Highlands and FoundersForge are proud to announce a new partnership to support small businesses impacted by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. United Way's Board of Directors has approved a...
The Founders Behind Avante’s First Cohort
Andrew Baxter joined the first Avante cohort with a bold idea: make betting fun, social, and accessible. His startup, WannaBet, is a community betting app designed for friends to place small wagers on everyday Recognizing that traditional sports betting can feel...
Bridging the Rural Founder Gap
Sometimes the best resource for founders is other foundersRural communities often lack the resources, access to capital, and support that larger business ecosystems provide. Founders in these areas are given an ultimatum—migrate to other communities in search of...