The Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) and Wheeling Heritage are accepting applications for the Fall 2026 CO.STARTERS cohort, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners turn their ideas into actionable business plans. The program begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, and will meet Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., in downtown Wheeling. Space is limited.
What is CO.STARTERS?
CO.STARTERS is a 10-week intensive program designed for aspiring and established entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their business, product, or service. The program provides hands-on collaboration and essential tools to help refine ideas and translate them into real-world success. Each week, participants will explore topics including value proposition, business structure, marketing, revenue models, cost analysis, and goal setting while receiving support and feedback from the group. The program concludes with a community celebration where participants are asked to present their business plans.
Who is it for?
CO.STARTERS is for anyone ready to turn an idea into action! The program welcomes aspiring entrepreneurs and experienced business owners alike, as long as they have a business concept and a willingness to study, shape, and refine it in a supportive setting. If you’re passionate, community-minded, and serious about making your business a reality, CO.STARTERS is the perfect fit. Examples of great Co.STARTERS participants include:
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- Aspiring Entrepreneur – Someone with a fresh business idea who wants guidance on how to bring it to life effectively.
- Creative Professional – A freelancer or artist looking to turn their creative skills or hobby into a sustainable business.
- Early-Stage Business Owner – An entrepreneur who has recently launched a business and is seeking structure and feedback to build a solid foundation.
- Experienced Entrepreneur with New Venture – A business owner exploring a new product or service who wants a supportive environment to test and refine their concept.
What to Expect
Each week, CO.STARTERS participants dive into a structured yet flexible curriculum guided by an experienced entrepreneur. Through an action-driven and collaborative process, you’ll receive real-time feedback, learn from peers, and validate your ideas by talking to potential customers. By the end of the program, you’ll have a clear business model and a sustainable plan, plus the confidence to pursue your next steps.
“CO.STARTERS helped guide us through the process of getting our small business more thoroughly organized,” said Laura Oswalt, recent graduate of the program and co-owner of Tacet Coffee Cart alongside her husband, Stephen. “Tacet was already up and running, but benefitted greatly from the fine-tuning of some of our ideas and gaining more small-business focused financial literacy. I especially enjoyed sharing ideas with the cohort and getting to hear their perspectives!”
The Fall 2026 cohort is ideal for creative, community-minded individuals ready to pursue an idea in a collaborative setting. Participants will leave with practical tools and a stronger foundation for building a sustainable business.
For more information or to apply, visit redp.org/services/costarters or apply directly here. For questions, contact Valerie Piko at vpiko@redp.org.
About Wheeling Heritage:
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.
About The Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED):
Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) is a private, nonprofit development corporation that serves Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, with emphasis on creating jobs and stimulating the local economy through assisting with local business expansion, recruiting new business investment, and encouraging small business development through entrepreneurial activity. RED was established as Ohio Valley Industrial Corporation in 1926 and incorporated as OVIBDC in 1961.