Global in Scope: Entreprenuership Hub Launches Downtown

As seen in the High Point Enterprise on June 12, 2018.

Photo Source: Laura Greene, High Point Enterprise

HIGH POINT — When you step inside the headquarters of HP365, you might think you’re in a typical downtown showroom.

But the new entrepreneurial center and co-working space is being designed to function unlike any other type of furnishings venture in High Point, or anywhere else for that matter.

HP365 will provide year-round work space, access to equipment and expertise for small businesses and start-up ventures inside a 100,000-square-foot historic former hosiery mill at 410 W. English Road next to High Point’s downtown stadium.

“This project is one-of-a-kind, and its scale could not be pulled off in any city other than the furnishings capital of the world,” said Tim Branscome, CEO of HP365. “The real beauty is this: this project is global in scope and it perfectly serves as a platform for new start-ups, while also supporting the large number of active designers, producers and service companies already located in the High Point region.”

HP365 was the brainchild of Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce. Chairman David Congdon bought the property, previously known as Union Square, through his private foundation in March for $4.5 million.

A $1.5 million state grant being matched with private money raised through the BHP Chamber board will help fund operating expenses and capital improvements to the building.

President and CEO Patrick Chapin said the fundraising is nearly finished.

HP365 now operates the special-events area on the upper level that has long been a popular spot for weddings and other events throughout the year.

Parts of the upper floors will be converted into co-working space that can accommodate a wide range of business ventures.

“We will have accounting, advertising, web design, (information technology) — all these services you usually have to hire when you’re starting a business, we will have them here,” said Mark Norcross, chairman of HP365 and a 42-year veteran of the furniture industry.

Branscome said he hopes to have 200 members at HP365 by the end of 2019.

A monthly fee will get members access to a materials library with thousands of samples and a 3-D printing facility, as well as seminars and workshops.

HP365 also will be able to serve customers like designers and architects who are doing business outside the two weeks of High Point Market.

“The customization lives year-round,” Branscome said.

The initial phases of HP365 will be rolled out for the fall market in October, with several long-term upgrades to the property in the planning stages: