Fresh Start Cherokee
Cherokee County is passionate about entrepreneurial education for our next
What is Fresh Start Cherokee?
Fresh Start Cherokee is an initiative of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development designed to create a culture of entrepreneurship in Cherokee by providing educational programming and support for startups. The program is envisioned to speak to entrepreneurs across the county and help in educating the next generation about entrepreneurship and startups. With programs like Fresh Start Mornings and the North Atlanta Venture Mentor Service, Fresh Start Cherokee is building a collaborative community of support.
If you have a need, please reach out to us using the form on this website and we can connect to learn more. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur, a student looking to learn more, a seasoned entrepreneur or executive with advice to give, or an angel investor, we invite you to join us in building your startup community close to home.
Connect with us @FreshStartCherokee on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Dig. Grind. Hatch.
“Dig. Grind. Hatch.” is not only Fresh Start Cherokee’s motto, it’s the story of the 192-Year Old Startup Community.
Cherokee County has long been a great place for Fresh Starts. In the 1800s, settlers came to Cherokee to dig for gold. They established a lasting mining community that would later open mills of all kinds to begin grinding throughout the county.
During the Great Depression, and with dramatic growth during World War II, the hatching of chicken farms and processing plants lead to Cherokee County becoming the “Poultry Capital of the World.”
This entrepreneurial spirit and drive to dig, grind, hatch inspires Cherokee to this day. Cherokee is passionate about entrepreneurial education and supporting the next generation of startups – that’s what “Dig. Grind. Hatch.” means to Fresh Start Cherokee. Our community is the perfect breath of fresh air that you need to dig, grind, hatch your startup close to home.
Join us on the newest startup journey in Cherokee County
Fresh Start Mornings is a free event that is open to the public. Hosted on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m., meetings have one of two formats: educational panel discussions relevant to startups and scaling businesses or startup business owners sharing their journey as a small business owner and challenges they are facing in growing their business. After each presentation, the audience of peer entrepreneurs will ask questions and provide insight.
Fresh Start Mornings are considered a safe-place for entrepreneurs to gain feedback, learn, and make valuable connections. View the full schedule here.
The North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service (NAV) is the first of its kind in Georgia. NAV is principled and trained by MIT Venture Mentoring Service; led by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, NAV is accepting applications for ventures with a working concept and beyond who want to take their business to the next level through team-based mentorship.
Join us on this exciting partnership with HatchBridge Incubator, here in Cherokee County – the 192-year-old Startup Community! Secure your spot in the future of entrepreneurship in the FREE 4-week LaunchPad Bootcamp series for Cherokee County Emerging Entrepreneurs and have the chance to earn up to $5,000 to advance your business idea or launch your new product. Apply quarterly!
The Circuit, Cherokee County’s first coworking space located in Downtown Woodstock, provides a gathering point and physical space for entrepreneurs and startups. The model is similar to many coworking models with preference given to technology and creative entrepreneurs as per the goals of Fresh Start Cherokee. In Woodstock, The Circuit is also the student center for the Chattahoochee Technical College Woodstock campus and features a coffee shop (Circle of Friends Coffee Shop opened in February 2021) and common space for the general community as well. If you are interested in working from Woodstock, please fill out the form to indicate your interest in the space or ask more questions.
For upcoming events, visit The Circuit Woodstock.