Optimist Ventures

Optimist Ventures is a venture philanthropy fund and accelerator program based in Western North Carolina (WNC), designed to support long-term ambitious growth ventures in the region. The firm distinguishes itself from traditional venture capital models by focusing on scalable, community-rooted, and sustainable growth rather than seeking 'unicorn-style' returns. It offers a unique blend of funding, providing participating companies with $50,000, split as a $25,000 grant and a $25,000 investment via a SPA Note (Shared Profit Agreement). This approach aims to provide flexible and affordable capital, fostering resilient entrepreneurs and offering competitive returns to investors through a model they brand as “Venture Philanthropy.”

The firm was launched in early 2025, building upon a decade of success and expertise from Venture Asheville, an entrepreneurship initiative powered by the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville Buncombe County and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Optimist Ventures was specifically shaped in response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene on WNC, aiming to serve the community by investing in regional founders and developing entrepreneurs who can become future civic leaders and philanthropists. Support for Optimist Ventures is provided by entities such as the Dogwood Health Trust, Truist Bank Foundation, the City of Asheville Small Business Recovery Program (CDBG-DR), and local investors.

Optimist Ventures operates a rigorous 12-week (or 15-week, depending on the source) industry-agnostic accelerator program, modeled after YCombinator but uniquely informed by WNC values and market needs. This program provides early-stage companies with capital, credibility, expertise, and a network essential for growth and profitability. Eligibility requires companies to be headquartered in WNC, with CDBG-DR qualifying companies having a principal place of business in Asheville's city limits, and revenue between $150,000 and $2 million. The program emphasizes companies utilizing technology to enable sustainable growth, including those in tech, consumer goods, and craft enterprises, and seeks to support 50-100 companies with plans to expand beyond WNC.

The team behind Optimist Ventures leverages the proven track record of Venture Asheville, which has fostered thriving WNC companies, contributing to over $150 million in revenue, $65 million in capital raised, and the creation of over 405 local jobs. Key team members include Jeffrey Kaplan, who serves as both CEO of Optimist Ventures and Executive Director of Venture Asheville, and Matt Godfrey, the Senior Program Manager. Their collective experience focuses on mentorship, experiential learning, and competency development, aiming to equip founders with the tools needed to build resilient and sustainable businesses.