Cabarrus Center marks five years as hub for startups and small businesses
The downtown Concord space has unified resources, expanded programming and helped shape the county’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is celebrating five years of supporting startups and small businesses, marking a milestone that reflects both its growth and its role in reshaping the local entrepreneurial landscape.
Since opening in 2021, the downtown Concord-based center has developed into a central hub where entrepreneurs can access mentorship, programming and resources designed to help turn ideas into viable businesses.
The anniversary also highlights the collaborative effort that led to the Center’s creation — an effort aimed at addressing what local leaders once described as a fragmented network of business support services.
“We had really great resources in Cabarrus County,” said Page Castrodale, former executive director of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (EDC), “but they weren’t connected, and so if you were someone who wanted to start a business, there was confusion about where to go, and the resources were spread out across the county.”
To solve that challenge, the Center brought multiple organizations under one roof, including the EDC, Cabarrus Chamber, Flywheel Foundation and the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center, creating what leaders describe as a more unified and accessible ecosystem for entrepreneurs.
Developed in partnership with Flywheel, an organization known for building and operating entrepreneurship centers, the Cabarrus Center has distinguished itself through a wide range of programming, including workshops, seminars, accelerators and funding opportunities.
Flywheel focuses on supporting both early- and growth-stage startups by partnering with nonprofits, economic development organizations, corporations and investors to strengthen local economies.
“We also have a nonprofit arm, the Flywheel Foundation, that focuses on entrepreneurship programming,” said Peter Marsh, a founding partner of Flywheel. “That includes workshops, seminars, accelerators, corporate innovation challenges, and even investment funds and grants.”
The Cabarrus Center is home to several businesses and organizations, including FocalGroove, a marketing consulting company that works with clients to build high-performing websites, produce photography and video content, and manage social media through tailored strategies and audience engagement.
Located in renovated historic buildings in downtown Concord, the Cabarrus Center has also contributed to the area’s broader economic and cultural revitalization. Its growth has been supported by partnerships among local leaders, investment from local governments and the Cannon Foundation, and a steadily expanding regional talent base.
As the Cabarrus Center looks to the next five years, its mission remains clear: to foster innovation, support entrepreneurs at every stage and continue building a vibrant, connected business community.
A public celebration marking the five-year anniversary is scheduled for May 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. Community members interested in attending can RSVP online through flywheelconcord.com/events.