Although the Ben Craig Center is a place, its services are available to qualified businesses throughout the Charlotte region. Innovation-based entrepreneurs can engage with the Center as Client-tenants or as Affiliates. Ventures may be at the start-up stage or at the growth stage.

Learning Community

The Ben Craig Center offers entrepreneurial learning opportunities that are practical and actionable. All of these programs are available to Client-tenants, usually at no charge or a reduced rate.

A luncheon series is offered monthly (September-June) at the Center and is open to prospective and active entrepreneurs. Topics include all aspects of early-stage entrepreneurship and are led by veteran entrepreneurs and topic experts.

Incubation and Acceleration

The Ben Craig Center provides a full range of facility and business advisory services to a select group of Client-tenant companies in its 50,000 square foot building in University Research Park . Services include:

¨       Facility simplicity including administrative and telecomm services;

¨       Learning community programs featuring expert resources and Ben Craig Center entrepreneurs;

¨       Connections to fellow entrepreneurs and business resources;

¨       Business building assistance including business plan and marketing plan guidance, accounting and financial systems design, and financial strategy;

¨       Coaching through a structured business development process and through informal interaction;

¨       Mentoring relationships with business leaders.

Most of these services are available to a limited number of Affiliate companies. Affiliates are qualified ventures that are not able to locate their principal office in the Ben Craig Center building.

Accounting Advisory

Ben Craig Center Accounting Advisory Service is available to small, established companies in Cabarrus, Gaston, and Mecklenburg counties. These services are similar to the accounting support provided to Client-tenants. The service helps owners build profitable, sustainable businesses by providing an affordable, turn-key accounting solution that provides the financial information required for long-term success.