NBIC

What NBIC does

NBIC (Nashville Business Incubation Center), legally Growth Enterprises Nashville, Inc., is a 501(c) nonprofit business incubator founded in 1986 and headquartered at 110 Glancy Street, Suite 107, Goodlettsville, Tennessee. It operates a staged program architecture serving primarily Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs, with eight distinct offerings spanning ideation to million-dollar-scale growth: Foundations (12 weeks, free, in partnership with Operation Hope), Framework (6-week strategic planning, scholarship-supported), Groundwork (12-session acceleration over 6 months), E-Myth Mastermind (6-week peer group sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners), Mighty Oak (5-year flagship incubation with a 3-year minimum commitment, gated at $150K revenue and 1+ employee), R.I.S.E. UP (6-month intensive coaching), and the MNAA Emerging Contractors program (10-month construction track with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority). Programs are delivered virtually via Zoom, with annual in-person signature events including the Construction Opportunities Conference at Music City Center and Future Ready Fest (free AI/QuickBooks/digital-skills workshops across five counties).

The core technology layer is modest: a web-based program registration platform anchored by the Biz Quiz (nbiconline.com/bizquiz), an online assessment tool that routes prospective entrepreneurs to the appropriate program tier by stage. There are no APIs, mobile apps, patents, or proprietary AI models. NBIC's primary technology leverage is in low-cost virtual delivery (video conferencing) and digital content distribution rather than building scalable software IP.

Revenue mechanics are characteristic of a nonprofit: ~$3.1M+ in disclosed grants over 2020-2024 from Metro Nashville, U.S. Bank, Truist Foundation ($1.25M, the largest single grant), TN Department of Economic & Community Development (DSEW), and The Frist Foundation, with additional New Profit support in February 2026. Program fees are nominal (Foundations is free; Framework/Groundwork/E-Myth charge fees offset by scholarships). The GTM motion is community-led via referrals from Operation Hope, The Equity Alliance, SBA, and MNAA, supplemented by signature events and the Biz Quiz funnel. Customer concentration is diffuse — hundreds of SMB clients per year including 450+ recipients of federally administered American Rescue Plan funds and high-profile alumni such as BCMason Group, The Grilled Cheeserie, Slim & Husky's, and The Cleaning Leaders.

Name

NBIC

Legal name

Growth Enterprises Nashville, Inc.

Website

https://nbichub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

NBIC is a 501(c) nonprofit business incubator founded in 1986 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, running a staged program portfolio (Foundations, Framework, Groundwork, Mighty Oak, E-Myth, R.I.S.E. UP, MNAA, Future Ready Fest) that serves aspiring and established SMB entrepreneurs across five Middle Tennessee counties via virtual cohorts and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Services (Onsite/Virtual Instruction, Workshops, Coaching) (BPAEANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Entrepreneur mentorship programs
• Small business training
• Startup acceleration programs
• Nonprofit business development

Headquarters

HQ city

Goodlettsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: NBIC operates as a nonprofit funded primarily through grants from foundations and government agencies. Major grants include New Profit, Truist Foundation ($1.25M), U.S. Bank ($50K), Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (Digital Skills, Education, and Workforce grant), Metro Nashville ($600K), and The Frist Foundation ($150K for Smart Growth Digital Lab). These grants support program delivery, operational costs, and direct entrepreneur services.
2. Program Revenue (Scholarships & Cost Recovery): Some programs (Framework, Groundwork, E-Myth) charge fees but offer scholarships for qualifying participants. Foundations program is free. The organization recovers partial costs through modest program fees supplemented by scholarship funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NBIC operates a tiered business incubation program for entrepreneurs in Middle Tennessee, offering educational cohorts, mentorship, and coaching through named programs (Foundations, Framework, Groundwork, E-Myth, Mighty Oak, R.I.S.E. UP, and MNAA Emerging Contractors). It also delivers free digital-skills sessions through Future Ready Fest and hosts the annual Construction Opportunities Conference. Programs are delivered virtually via video conferencing with one-to-one coaching integrated into most tiers.

Product overview

NBIC (Nashville Business Incubation Center) is a nonprofit that operates as a business incubation center offering a comprehensive suite of educational and support programs for entrepreneurs at various stages of business development. The organization provides a multi-tiered program architecture including Foundations (entry-level 12-week program), Framework (strategic 6-week course), Groundwork (6-month acceleration program), E-Myth Mastermind (6-week peer group), Mighty Oak (5-year flagship incubation program), R.I.S.E. UP (6-month coaching academy), and MNAA Emerging Contractors (10-month contractor training). Additional offerings include Future Ready Fest (free digital skills workshops covering AI, QuickBooks, and business technology) and the Construction Opportunities Conference (annual industry event). The Biz Quiz serves as an intake assessment to match entrepreneurs with appropriate programs. All programs are designed to support small business growth through mentorship, education, and community building, with most programs offered virtually and at no or low cost to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foundations: 12-week virtual program for new and aspiring entrepreneurs offered in partnership with Operation Hope, covering basic business principles and business plan development.
• Framework
• Groundwork
• E-Myth
• Mighty Oak
• MNAA
• Future Ready Fest
• Construction Opportunities Conference

Products and services

• Foundations Program A free, virtual 12-week program offered in partnership with Operation Hope for new and aspiring entrepreneurs, covering basic business principles, individualized counseling, and business plan creation. Meets Tuesdays 5:00–7:00 pm CST.
• Framework Program A virtual 6-week strategic planning course for entrepreneurs ready to scale, with one-to-one consultations and a 30/60/90-day action plan deliverable. Scholarships available. Meets Wednesdays 9:30–11:00 am CT.
• Groundwork Program A virtual business acceleration program with 12 three-hour sessions on alternating weeks combined with one-to-one coaching over six months, focused on financial, legal, marketing, and human capital structures. Meets Thursdays 9:00 am–12:00 pm CST.
• E-Myth Small Business Mastermind A 6-week weekly peer Mastermind group limited to 12 participants, using Michael Gerber's 'The E-Myth Revisited' as discussion basis. Sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners, who provides complimentary copies of the book. Meets Tuesdays 8:30–9:30 am CST.
• Mighty Oak Program NBIC's hallmark 5-year incubation program with a 3-year minimum commitment, guiding established business owners (at least 2 years operating, $150K+ revenue, 1+ employee) through ACORN, SEEDLING, SAPLING, and MIGHTY OAK stages. Most graduates reach $1M+ revenue and create a minimum of 5 jobs.
• R.I.S.E. UP Academy A six-month intensive business coaching program providing one-on-one coaching to help entrepreneurs move from working in their business to working on their business, focusing on strategic leadership and vision.
• MNAA Emerging Contractors Program A ten-month commitment program for construction business owners featuring monthly full-day entrepreneurial training sessions, emphasizing operating fundamentals, federal contracting, SBA 8(a) preparation, bonding, and contractor licensing. Delivered in partnership with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
• Future Ready Fest A free digital skills training event series across Davidson, Maury, Rutherford, Sumner, and Wilson counties, offering 2-hour virtual sessions on AI literacy, QuickBooks, digital marketing, vendor sales, and career development. Fully funded by a Digital Skills, Education, and Workforce grant through the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development.
• Construction Opportunities Conference An annual in-person construction industry conference at Music City Center bringing together small businesses, prime contractors, and government agencies for networking, workshops, and practical insights on construction forecasts, OSHA, bonding, and contract negotiation. Standard ticket: $75. Co-presented with UT CIS APEX Accelerator. Scheduled August 27, 2026.
• Biz Quiz An online self-serve assessment tool that evaluates prospective entrepreneurs and matches them to the most appropriate NBIC program (Foundations, Framework, Groundwork, Mighty Oak, E-Myth, R.I.S.E. UP, or MNAA). Serves as the primary intake and qualification mechanism for all programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mighty Oak graduates typically earn revenues of at least $1 million and create a minimum of 5 jobs.
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers33 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Operation HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Hope is a key strategic partner for NBIC's Foundations program, which is offered in partnership with Operation Hope. This partnership enables NBIC to reach underserved entrepreneurs and provide foundational business education through a structured 12-week virtual cohort.
• Pinnacle Financial PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinnacle Financial Partners sponsors the E-Myth Small Business Mastermind group at NBIC. As part of the sponsorship, Pinnacle provides complimentary copies of Michael Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited to all program participants, reducing barriers to entry for the 6-week peer learning cohort.
• Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMNAA partners with NBIC on the Emerging Contractors program, a 10-month training cohort for construction business owners. MNAA's Business Diversity Development Department refers contractors to NBIC and provides funding support for the program. This partnership has helped contractors like Darci Gibbons achieve prime contractor status at the airport.
• UT CIS APEX AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUT CIS APEX Accelerator co-presents the annual Construction Opportunities Conference alongside NBIC and Music City Center. The conference brings together small businesses, prime contractors, and government agencies for a full day of networking and workshops.
• Music City CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic City Center co-presents the Construction Opportunities Conference with NBIC and UT CIS APEX Accelerator. The conference is held at Music City Center, Nashville's premier convention facility at 201 Rep. John Lewis Way S., Nashville, TN.
• Lipscomb UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough NBIC's partnership with Lipscomb University, students in the university's marketing department developed professional websites for NBIC client businesses (e.g., Sir Basil's Boneyard) as class projects, providing free digital presence to entrepreneurs.
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TN SBDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTN SBDC provides ongoing guidance to NBIC alumni like Basil Avery of Sir Basil's Boneyard, offering support with AI integration, local business connections, and strategic planning beyond NBIC's formal program period.
• The Equity AllianceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Equity Alliance referred Larry Turnley of The Refuse Engineers to NBIC, serving as a community referral partner that directs underrepresented entrepreneurs to NBIC's programs.
• Tennessee State University (TSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBIC maintained a location across from TSU's Avon Williams campus downtown, which provided easy access to student entrepreneurs and corporate clients. Emanuel Roland of Roland's Photography was introduced to NBIC through a mass media company while working as a TSU student.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: SCORE is a U.S. nonprofit network that provides free small business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources — directly comparable to NBIC's Foundations, Framework, and Groundwork programs in mission and delivery model (free, mentor-driven, cohort-based).
• Operation HOPE: Operation HOPE is a national nonprofit providing financial literacy and small business education to underserved communities — directly comparable to NBIC's Foundations program (which is itself co-delivered with Operation HOPE) and broader financial literacy mission.
• AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity): AEO is a national nonprofit membership organization supporting microbusiness and small business development programs, particularly for underserved entrepreneurs — directly comparable to NBIC's mission of supporting minority and first-generation entrepreneurs through funded incubation.
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TN SBDC): TN SBDC is a state-funded network providing free business counseling, training, and resources to Tennessee small businesses — directly comparable to NBIC in geography, target audience, and free-to-participant advisory model.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a tuition-free, cohort-based business education program for growth-stage entrepreneurs — directly comparable to NBIC's Mighty Oak and Groundwork programs in target audience, cohort structure, and funded-scholarship model.

Emerging players

• Village Capital: Village Capital runs peer-selected entrepreneurship programs and cohort-based venture support for early-stage founders — comparable to NBIC's cohort-based incubation programs, though it focuses more on venture-backable startups vs. NBIC's SMB/main-street focus.

Broad incumbents

• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: The Kauffman Foundation is a major U.S. foundation supporting entrepreneurship through research, education, and ecosystem grants — broadly comparable to NBIC's grant-funded nonprofit mission and U.S. footprint.
• Aspen Institute's Business Ownership Initiative: The Aspen Institute's Business Ownership Initiative works to scale equitable entrepreneurship through policy research and capacity building for incubators — broadly comparable to NBIC's nonprofit incubator model and ecosystem-development mission.

Regional players

• LiftFund: LiftFund is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) providing small business loans and entrepreneurship training, primarily in the Southern U.S. — comparable to NBIC's small business support mission, though LiftFund adds a lending component and operates across multiple states.
• Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce: The Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce is a local business organization supporting Black-owned businesses through advocacy, networking, and education — comparable to NBIC's regional minority-business development mission and Nashville footprint, though serving a narrower demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Nbichub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nashville-business-incubation-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/nbicgrowthhub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NBIC