We’re excited to share that Ginger’s Revenge has been selected as one of the companies participating in the 2026 Optimist Ventures Accelerator, a 12-week program designed to help Western North Carolina businesses build resilient, scalable companies through mentorship, entrepreneurial education, and a community of fellow founders.

For David and me, this opportunity is about much more than funding. Over the past ten years, we’ve learned that building a business also means continually growing as leaders. As Ginger’s Revenge evolves, we have to keep evolving too. We’re especially excited to deepen our leadership skills, strengthen the way we build Ginger’s Revenge, and learn alongside an incredible cohort of entrepreneurs who are navigating many of the same opportunities and challenges.

This opportunity also feels like a full-circle moment. In 2019, we participated in Venture Asheville’s Elevate program, where we were surrounded by mentors and fellow entrepreneurs who challenged us to think differently about growing our business. That experience helped shape the way we lead today, and we’re grateful to continue that journey through Optimist Ventures.

Like many Western North Carolina businesses, the past year has brought its share of challenges following Hurricane Helene. Those experiences have reinforced something we already believed: building a great company means never stopping learning. We’re excited to challenge ourselves, gain new perspectives, and bring those lessons back to Ginger’s Revenge.

Congratulations to the other companies in the cohort: 

• Asheville Wellness Tours
• Devil’s Foot Beverage Company
• Evolve Early Learning
• Full Moon Tea Co.
• Habibi Village
• Highlands Hydro Clean
• Rockgeist Bikepack USA
• Savage Supply
• Spice Witch
• The Flying Bike Co.
• The Village Potters Clay Center

Thank you to Venture Asheville, the Optimist Ventures team, our mentors, our partners, and all of you who have supported Ginger’s Revenge along the way. We can’t wait to see where this next chapter leads.