A nonprofit Hopewell organization is funding startups it hopes can revitalize the city’s downtown stretch. Photo by Evelyn Rupert.
A handful of Hopewell startups got a jolt this week in their plans to bring pastries, pull-up bars and more to some of the city’s empty storefronts.
The Hopewell Downtown Partnership handed out $70,000 in grants on Tuesday night to four small businesses that will open in the city’s historic downtown district. The fledgling companies participated in the Community Business Launch, an eight-week business development program that culminated in the pitch night.
Sweet Tooth, a chocolate and candy seller, and a donut shop called Fat Babs each won $20,000. K&J Fitness, a personal training venture, and a chicken and seafood restaurant called The Greedy Spoon each won $15,000.
Each finalist startup went through an eight-week course concluding with the pitch competition. Photo courtesy of HDP.
The businesses have agreed to open their shops by September along a stretch of downtown Hopewell where vacancies have often replaced open signs. Rather than handing over the money all at once, the nonprofit partnership will dole out the funds with each company’s needs.
The businesses are still finalizing locations and leases.
The finalists beat out eight other startups that pitched their ideas to a panel of judges last month. The judges of the competition were Joe Brisbee of Richmond Score; Tanner Collins of REDC Community Capital; Nathalia Artus of EVB; Rita Joyner of the Hopewell Downtown Partnership; and Brandon Butterworth of The Community Foundation and the HDP.
The grant money came from the state Department of Housing and Community Development as part of the Virginia Community Business Launch program. The HDP received $100,000 from the state program, $30,000 of which was used to organize the classes and event.
Evan Kaufman, the director of the HDP, said there are plans to apply for more money to put on the event again next year.
“I think it went really well,” Kaufman said. “We’ll probably apply again and teach others about our experiences and best practices.”
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the name of the donut shop that’s among the new businesses moving into downtown Hopewell. The shop is called Fat Babs.
A nonprofit Hopewell organization is funding startups it hopes can revitalize the city’s downtown stretch. Photo by Evelyn Rupert.
A handful of Hopewell startups got a jolt this week in their plans to bring pastries, pull-up bars and more to some of the city’s empty storefronts.
The Hopewell Downtown Partnership handed out $70,000 in grants on Tuesday night to four small businesses that will open in the city’s historic downtown district. The fledgling companies participated in the Community Business Launch, an eight-week business development program that culminated in the pitch night.
Sweet Tooth, a chocolate and candy seller, and a donut shop called Fat Babs each won $20,000. K&J Fitness, a personal training venture, and a chicken and seafood restaurant called The Greedy Spoon each won $15,000.
Each finalist startup went through an eight-week course concluding with the pitch competition. Photo courtesy of HDP.
The businesses have agreed to open their shops by September along a stretch of downtown Hopewell where vacancies have often replaced open signs. Rather than handing over the money all at once, the nonprofit partnership will dole out the funds with each company’s needs.
The businesses are still finalizing locations and leases.
The finalists beat out eight other startups that pitched their ideas to a panel of judges last month. The judges of the competition were Joe Brisbee of Richmond Score; Tanner Collins of REDC Community Capital; Nathalia Artus of EVB; Rita Joyner of the Hopewell Downtown Partnership; and Brandon Butterworth of The Community Foundation and the HDP.
The grant money came from the state Department of Housing and Community Development as part of the Virginia Community Business Launch program. The HDP received $100,000 from the state program, $30,000 of which was used to organize the classes and event.
Evan Kaufman, the director of the HDP, said there are plans to apply for more money to put on the event again next year.
“I think it went really well,” Kaufman said. “We’ll probably apply again and teach others about our experiences and best practices.”
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the name of the donut shop that’s among the new businesses moving into downtown Hopewell. The shop is called Fat Babs.