We Keep Your Main Street Storefronts Full
Fill Your Main Street District
Avante is a business program that equips Main Street organizations with a proven formula to help support, launch, and grow successful downtown businesses, while strengthening your local economy.
How Main Street Programs Win
Avante is designed to do more than teach entrepreneurship — it builds long-term economic momentum within your district.
Empower Founders
Avante equips local entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and confidence to open businesses on Main Street — turning ideas into storefronts and residents into business owners.
Build Downtown Ecosystems
Avante strengthens the small business support network by connecting founders with support, resources, and connections — creating a more resilient downtown economy.
Support Small Business Growth
We believe locally owned businesses are the backbone of thriving Main Streets. Avante helps communities recruit, launch, and retain the businesses that keep Main Street thriving.
Provide Capacity & Resources
Avante delivers curriculum, programming, and technical assistance that expand a Main Street organization’s capacity to support entrepreneurs — without adding staff burden.
How It Works ⬇️
Main Street Programs Purchase An Avante License
Your Main Street program will gain access to the Avante Bootcamp Curriculum, the Avante Community Space, and specialized resources to help you run a successful Avante Program in your district.
Specialized Training & Support for Your District
Avante will train a facilitator to run the 6-Week Avante Bootcamp Program and equip you with operational support, marketing materials, and everything your organization needs to run the program.
Businesses Launch Downtown Successfully
Business owners attend the bootcamp and launch their business after the program is completed. Main Street organizers help place new business owners in vacant spaces and support them throughout the process.
The Generalist
The Generalist changed the Main Street scene in Johnson City after opening downtown in 2022. Since then, they’ve worked with hundreds of local vendors, built a cult following in the region, and generated over 1M+ in revenue. Along with sharing their insights, the founders of the Generalist are also Avante facilitators. Listen to their story here.
Avante Graduates Are Saying:
“I regularly think about my pitch, the ‘mom test,’ and the importance of active listening. The lessons from Startup Bootcamp have truly made a lasting impact.”
– Kylie Wade
Organizing For Life
“Participating in the Avante Bootcamp was a transformative experience. It provided a structured framework to refine my business strategy, align it with my core values, and establish systems and processes. The insights gained not only clarified my vision but also sparked new ideas for scaling my business.
The confidence and clarity I gained through the bootcamp played a significant role in this progress. Thank you for providing such a supportive and empowering platform for entrepreneurs.”
– Mary Chege-Kamau
“Before attending Avante Bootcamp, I had zero experience starting a business and wasn’t sure where to even begin. The program gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence I needed to move forward—everything from practical skills to a clear framework for validating ideas.”