Cohort 14 ScaleUp WNC Application Form

Thank you for your interest in applying (or re-applying) to ScaleUp WNC.

Applications for the 2026 ScaleUp WNC program must be received by 11:59 PM on January 22, 2026 to be considered for this round. We will host one cohort of up to 15 businesses beginning on March 13, 2026.

We may hold brief interviews as part of our selection process. You will receive a response to your application no later than February 19th by 5:00 PM. We will notify all applicants of their status as soon as possible, but please do not contact the Mountain BizWorks ScaleUp team until after February 19th, 2026. Any questions regarding the application process may be addressed to Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith at gwynne@mountainbizworks.org.

All of your data will be kept secure and confidential, and shared only with our judges and staff.

*PLEASE note:
- Several of the application questions below include maximum character limits (i.e., max 250 chars including spaces). These are limits on the number of individual characters, not words.
- You have the option to save your application and come back to it later. The 'Save' button is at the bottom of the form.
- If selected, financial statements and references will be requested, and an interview and/or site visit may be necessary before being officially accepted.
- Before submitting your application, review all important dates and information related to the ScaleUp program. We require that at least one participating member of your company be present at each session and events.
General Business Information
Business Name*
Website
Social Media URLs (one per line, please)
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
County (ex. Jackson)*
How did you hear about ScaleUp WNC?*
ScaleUp WNC Eligibility Certifications
YesNoOther
YesNo
YesNo
YesNoOther
Applicant Contact Information
Applicant 1 Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
E-mail*
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
County (ex. Watauga)*
YesNoMaybe
Applicant 2 Full Name

First NameLast Name
Applicant 2 Title
Applicant 2 Email
Applicant 2 Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Applicant 2 Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applicant 2 County (ex. Polk)
Please let us know if you have any availability limitations between the months of April and July.
Detailed Business Information
Year Founded*
Industry*
Startup/FounderPurchaseFamilyOther
Number of “full-time equivalent” (FTE) employees (i.e., 1 full-time plus 2 half-time positions equals 2 FTEs)*

Please enter your annual revenues for the past three years. (For 2025, please provide a year end projection if you're completing this before the end of the year)*

Rows	Annual Revenues
2025
2024
2023

Please upload your 2025 YTD Profit and Loss Statement. If one isn't available, please note you will be required to provide one before you are accepted into the class.

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Please upload your 2025 YTD Balance Sheet. If one isn't available, please note you will be required to provide one before you are accepted into the class.

Browse Files

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Elevator Pitch: Please provide a one-line "elevator pitch" for your company*

0/150
In more detail, what does your company do or make? What's new, interesting, or different about your company?*

0/500
What has been your greatest success in growing your business to date, and how has this changed the way that you lead the company?*

0/250
Please describe the opportunity for growing your business to the next stage. Include market size and barriers, competition, technology development, customers, environmental influences, and/or industry opportunities as applicable.*

0/1000
Please describe any fundraising (debt, equity, crowdfunding, etc.) that you expect will be needed to enable this growth?*

0/250
In what areas will the business, and you as a leader (or leadership team), need the most help in realizing this growth potential?*
Please share any other key indicators or growth drivers that show you are ready to scale. Is there an immediate opportunity that you are seizing on?

0/500
Mountain BizWorks is committed to having the ScaleUp WNC cohorts reflect the diversity of our region. As such we strongly encourage applications from woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and rural-based businesses as well as other traditionally underserved comunities.
Woman-ownedBIPOC-ownedVeteran-ownedRural-basedOther
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I affirm the above to be true and accurate. I understand that if selected for ScaleUp WNC, financial statements and references may be requested, and an interview and/or site visit may be necessary before I am accepted to the program.I reviewed all important dates and information related to the ScaleUp program and understand that at least one member of my company be present at each session and events.I will supply the requested financial and personal information to Mountain BizWorks in compliance with requirements by key program funding.
Should be Empty:

General Business Information

ScaleUp WNC Eligibility Certifications

Applicant Contact Information

Detailed Business Information

Last question...