Meet the first educational and entrepreneurial hub for LGBTQIA2+ professionals and businesses in eastern North Carolina! With base operations in the Raleigh area, Ensemble LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurial Hub’s goal is to be a catalyst for growth, innovation, and empowerment by providing tools and resources needed to build sustainable business foundations.
Ensemble workshops and seminars are ongoing. The first cohort is set for launch in Winter 2025/2026!
Designed primarily for the LGBTQIA2+ and allied community, Ensemble is a first-of-its-kind program that aids entrepreneurs in the business process from start to finish.
Ensemble LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurial Hub is a program funded by the Harmony LGBT+ Chamber Foundation, a 501c3 organization working side by side with Harmony: NC LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce. Ensemble is focused on providing support and educational opportunities through workshops & seminars, cohorts & competitions, and a future brick & mortar space.
Ensemble tackles head-on the negative impact experienced all too often by working LGBT+ professionals by providing a private, secure, and affirming professional community that embraces each person’s identity and enables them to thrive without fear of discrimination, hostility, name-calling, bullying, or even physical or sexual assault.
Our goal is to provide a place where LGBT+ individuals can network, collaborate, and expand their skills alongside others who support them.
Ensemble will have a tremendous, ongoing impact on the community by:
Monthly One-Off Seminars
Hopefully, you’ve already come to know and love the Harmony Education Series. As part of a realignment, these monthly workshops and seminars are now moving under Ensemble! Each month, there is one event held (either in-person or online) focused on varying topics that may be of use or interest to LGBTQIA2+ business owners and professionals.
Previous topics have included:
Ensemble Business Education Summit
As a complement to the Harmony Business Networking Summit, hosted each spring, the Ensemble Business Education Summit is focused on in-depth classes and discussions designed specifically for current and prospective business owners that are a part of the LGBTQIA2+ community.
The inaugural Ensemble Business Education Summit will be hosted during Fall 2026.
The “What If…” Business Education Series
Built in a cohort style, this series will broach the topic of “What If I Opened a Queer Business?” This cohort will be a curated series of meetings and capstone assignments for LGBTQIA2+ members who want to be open to the idea that owning their own business is possible!
Launch date TBD.
Main Street Ready Cohort
This cohort-style program is built for LGBTQIA2+ community members who have an idea for a business, but aren’t sure how to move forward. A blend of structured lessons and non-structured conversation and support, this program will help participants feel confident and ready to be open for business.
The inaugural cohort will begin during Winter 2025/2026.
Open to Growth Cohort
A third track in the Ensemble portfolio, this cohort is for LGBTQIA2+ community members who have already opened their businesses, but are experiencing no/slow growth patterns and sustainability issues.
Launch date TBD.
Funding Competitions
Ensemble’s goal is to host funding competitions similar to a pitch-and-sip twice a year. These events bring a core group of investors into a space, ready to hear business pitches and potentially provide funding to top concepts.
Launch date TBD.
The long-term vision for Ensemble is to add a brick & mortar space that allows for entrepreneurs and innovators to have a safe, welcoming space to learn, grow and dream.
The creation of such a space is likely several years into the future – but we want you to know where we’re trying to go!
Innovator Space
A creative space for Ensemble members to work on creating prototypes of their goods as they move through the business incubation process. This space would hopefully include industrial machinery and supplies to be used by members.
Coworking Space
An office space available to Ensemble members to take meetings, work with cohort members or have safe work space amongst the community.
Retail & Test Space
A retail space for Ensemble members to sell a small sample of goods (both soft goods and food/drink) to keep refining business concepts before moving into standalone space. This would help members during their entrepreneurial journey who are ready for brick-and-mortar space, but aren’t ready to hop into a long-term lease or a large space.
Donations
Feel passionate about the LGBTQIA2+ business community and the mission of Ensemble? Make a donation today to help the dream become a reality!
Sponsorships
Are you a business owner or a professional who thinks the Ensemble events align with your company? Talk to us about unique sponsorship opportunities!
Investment Funding
Are you an investor who wants to see queer businesses flourish? Join us as a backer for our funding competitions!
Committee Members
Are you interested in helping shape our workshops, seminars, cohorts and competitions? Join one of our committees!
Teachers/Guides
Are you someone who has a particular skillset or experience set that you think would be beneficial to teach a class or course on? Connect with Devon Howard regarding topic ideas!
Mentors
Do you want to build a 1-on-1 relationship with a queer professional or entrepreneur as they navigate their journey through the business world? Put your name on the list with Devon Howard!
Our vision is to become the leading community resource where LGBT+ and allied individuals can network, improve business acumen and socialize–elevating each and every one of us to realize more.
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