CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIST
Joshua Cook is a program designer, entrepreneurship strategist, and economic development consultant with 15+ years helping creators, students, and communities transform ideas into ventures—bridging public–private innovation, creative economies, and rural–urban partnerships.
At a Glance
15+ years designing ventures, accelerators, and cultural initiatives across the U.S. and abroad
Raised $100K+ for rural founder attraction and workforce development in West Virginia
Helped launch a $5M+ venture-backed food startup that transitioned into a worker-owned cooperative in Brooklyn
Commended on the floor of the U.S. Senate for small business recovery leadership
Visual Arts Chair for WorldPride 2025, curating internationally recognized artists
Taught Entrepreneurial Finance at West Virginia University; advised through multiple incubators
As Seen In
Two Tracks of Work
Economic Development & Entrepreneurship
Venture and program design for municipalities, funds, and nonprofits
Accelerator and incubator curriculum development
Grant acquisition & capital strategy — unlocking six- and seven-figure support
Rural–urban partnerships, remote worker attraction, and founder ecosystem growth
Creative & Cultural Leadership
Festival and conference design with enduring brand strategy
Cultural entrepreneurship and creative placemaking initiatives
National & international convenings (political campaigns, cultural festivals, creator communities)
Curation and cultural strategy for diverse voices on global stages
Featured Highlights
$100K Feasibility Study → Designed and managed a federal/state-funded project to attract remote workers to Appalachia.
Brooklyn Food Startup → Cooperative → Co-founded and scaled a $5M+ VC-backed distribution company that transitioned to worker ownership.
Pandemic Recovery Strategy → Supported small business survival via WV SBDC partnerships.
WorldPride 2025 → Curated the global visual arts program, elevating diverse creators internationally.
National Recognition → Commended in the U.S. Senate; profiled in The Washington Post, Edible Brooklyn, and The New Food Economy.
Background
Through his consultancy, Places I Never Heard Of, Joshua supports nonprofits, municipalities, and funds with venture strategy, accelerator curriculum design, grant acquisition, and cultural entrepreneurship initiatives.
He has organized national-scale convenings across political and cultural domains and is committed to building programs that elevate creative entrepreneurship onto the national stage. He holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics (Anthropology of Learning & Cognition) and a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University (Culture & Politics).
