As part of our joint efforts to align strategies and efforts in economic development, the Chamber and Venture Café Winston-Salem announce a partnership in which both organizations will collaborate on initiatives designed to accelerate the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial economies.

The Chamber and Venture Café will promote local innovation through tech events, highlight young leaders, and collaborate on ideas and efforts to recruit and retain talent in Winston-Salem, among other efforts.

Mark Owens, Chamber President & CEO says “The innovation and entrepreneurial economy is taking off in Winston-Salem and it’s vital to our economic outlook. Venture Café is playing a major part in its success. We recognize that new energy and strategic alignment are important to help us continue to grow, and we can achieve greater results by working together than we can on our own. I am honored to be working in alignment with Karen Barnes, the team at Venture Café, and the members of Venture Café to grow Winston-Salem and nurture its entrepreneurs.”

Karen Barnes, Executive Director of Venture Cafe Winston Salem, says “Our city’s vision for a thriving startup and entrepreneurial community with a strong talent pipeline requires a coordinated effort and aggressive action. To nurture local startups and attract new ones here is a vital part of our economic development strategy and we’re thrilled to amplify our efforts with this new partnership.”

The Chamber will also have a presence at Bailey Power Plant in Wake Forest Innovation Quarter in order to collaborate more closely than ever before with community partners including Venture Café and other organizations which are helping to realize our shared goals.

The Chamber will occupy a small satellite office within the collaborative working environment at Bailey Power Plant. Utilized by several staff members, the workspace will allow for more connections to be made and for ideas to flow more rapidly.

The Chamber’s strategies in building upon partnerships and collaborative community efforts are in alignment with the organization’s mission to provide and advocate for the best business environment for businesses of all sizes, and exemplify our organization’s tagline—”Together”.