A crowd of members gathered at The Garage, the workspace of theClubhou.se at the Georgia Cyber Center, on Friday evening to celebrate the nonprofit’s first decade.
The organization’s 10-year Birthday Bash was punctuated by the cutting of cake and a silent auction, as the ticketed event also served as a fundraiser.
Grace Belangia, who co-founded theClubhou.se with its president Eric Parker, noted to attendees the tech-oriented business incubator usually raises funds through its memberships and various programs, a witness to the support it has received.
“All of those things are really just a testament to help us help you in the clubhouse for the next 10 years,” Belangia said. “And they’ll help us to grow our organization so that we can do this for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
The celebration unveiled theClubhou.se’s Decade Report, highlighting the organization’s achievements over the years. Since launching in 2012, it has raised capital through angel investment connections and founded grants to fuel startups, opened co-working space, mentored entrepreneurs, and even produced an independent film.
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“We’re still inviting those in the community that don’t know about us to come to our office to come to our events to go to our programs,” said Belangia. “It builds on that sort of entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Parker had the idea of “hacking” Augusta, not only encouraging and facilitating growth in tech skills like programming, but in applying those skills to solving problems and addressing issues for innovators and future business-owners.
“When it first started, it was mostly a place to hang out, but also a place where you could start a business or learn a skill,” he said. Both founders, however, note that maintaining a startup to support startups entails adapting to the area’s progress.
“I think that there is a community and a culture in Augusta that is what we were hoping to build,” said Parker. “But Augusta itself is also continuing to grow.”
theClubhou.se began alongside the burgeoning of cyber initiatives in Augusta. While the organization is still involved with aiding medical students, soldiers and veterans, as well as budding entrepreneurs, it has been able to sustain and adapt as members have come and gone and the community has presented new needs.
“I think it’s evolved,” said Belangia. “But it’s like, it’s like a pie. The pieces have just gotten bigger.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
