Where entrepreneurship accelerates

“Receiving support from the Community Try It Fund made a huge difference in moving my idea forward. The funding helped me buy important equipment—a freeze dryer—that turned my concept into something real. …In less than a year, this initial investment has already generated nearly 20 times its value. That kind of support builds both momentum and credibility. I believe programs like this are key to helping more people overcome early challenges and create lasting impact. I’m really grateful for the Fund’s role in helping innovators turn ideas into reality.”

“The Hurt Hub is an entreprenuer's Shangri-La. When I learned of the DCCG and began the process of working with students, I was astonished at the value and targeted attention my business received. The experience with the soloprenuer's group left me with the same reaction: how is such a high quality resource available to the community for free? In discovering this place, I found a winning lottery ticket.”

“Sweet Relish has called the Hurt Hub home since the very beginning. The Hurt Hub gave us an affordable, energizing place to work and grow that a small startup typically couldn't afford on its own. The layout is perfect: private offices and phone booths, great meeting rooms, and open areas. The staff, the students, the energy of being steps from Davidson's campus and downtown - it all adds up to a place you actually want to come to work every day. The community even helped us land our largest client. We've gone from concept to a real, growing business here, and the Hub has been a key part of that story.”

“The Hurt Hub paired me up with a team of 5 Davidson college students who helped me create a website and an instagram page for my small art business. They did a fantastic job! I am 74 years old and I would have never figured this out on my own Thank you Hurt Hub!”

“I have been actively engaged with the Jay Hurt Hub since 2021. I developed and co-facilitated a series of training sessions for new supervisors in a program called 'Ready to Lead', sponsored by the Hurt Hub in spring 2022. Director Liz Brigham and I co-led a Davidson College course, Practicum in Applied I-O psychology (PSY 291), from Spring 2022 through Spring 2024. I am a committed member of the Knowledge Hub as well. I love the energy that Liz and her team have generated at the Hurt Hub and I am proud to be an active contributor and supporter!”

“I reached out to Amplify Davidson for help in formulating a marketing plan for my small business. Through weekly planning and strategy sessions, we were able to define a plan to help me work towards my goals for 2024. Evan and Erin were a joy to work with and they helped me gain fresh perspectives on my target market and professional goals for the year. I highly recommend this program for anyone who is seeking extra guidance and business advice for their growing business!”

“The Hurt Hub is helping me connect with individuals like myself who are following an entrepreneurial path, working bringing their ideas and dreams to life. The connections with Hurt Hub staff, Davidson students and community members have all contributed to birthing and nurturing my business formation efforts. And, along the way, I've formed new friendships, learned to laugh at failures, evaluated new ideas and received feedback that helps me see with new eyes. Thanks, Hurt Hub!”

"The Hurt Hub is one of the best-kept secrets in the Lake Norman area. While the Hurt Hub is part of Davidson College, one of the things I appreciate most is how warmly it welcomes the broader community. You don't have to be a student, faculty member, or alumnus to benefit from the resources, programs, and opportunities available.”

“I left with motivation and direction to actually build and test a new product of my own… I never thought I'd actually go down this route, but now I am so inspired by the opportunity that I'm taking the next steps to partner with experts in the space to build a real prototype and continue to test it in market.”

“Before finding the Jay Hurt Hub, I struggled with personal and professional roadblocks that kept me stuck with my small business. Reaching out to them for guidance was the smartest thing I could have done. I went from being a small jewelry vendor who only sold at craft shows I an entrepreneur with a real digital strategy. I'm now collaborating with two amazing student consultants to rebrand and take my business online. The Hurt Hub is truly a place that turns dreams into reality through mentorship, connection and care. It has completely changed my trajectory.”