Joshua Cook

Creative Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Strategist

Positioning

I help cultural organizations, businesses, and governments design ventures and programs that turn bold ideas into durable economic outcomes.

Based in Baltimore. Available for consulting, leadership, and project design engagements.

At a Glance

15+ years building ventures, accelerators, and cultural initiatives.

$100K+ secured for remote-worker attraction & digital workforce in Appalachia.

Co-founded and scaled a $5M+ food venture to worker-owned cooperative.

Commended on the floor of the U.S. Senate for public engagement on Opportunity Zones.

Visual Arts Chair, WorldPride 2025 Arts & Culture Committee.

Former Instructor, Entrepreneurial Finance (West Virginia University).

Advisory & Project Work

Venture & Program Design

Incubators, accelerators, and funds. Clear hypotheses, lean pilots, measurable outcomes.

Grant & Capital Strategy

Six- and seven-figure capital stacks for municipalities, nonprofits, and public-private consortia.

Creative Placemaking

Festival/conference design, brand architecture, and culture-as-economic-driver initiatives.

Civic Engagement & Partnerships

Intergovernmental coordination, community buy-in, and stakeholder communications.

Selected Highlights

$100K Feasibility Study — Federal/state-funded plan to attract remote workers to Appalachia.

Brooklyn Food Venture → Cooperative — Scaled to $5M+ then transitioned to worker ownership.

Pandemic Recovery — Small-business support with WV SBDC and regional partners.

WorldPride 2025 — Shaped a global visual arts program elevating diverse creators.

National Press & Recognition — Profiles in major outlets; U.S. Senate commendation.

Biography

Communitiy Organizing Fellow for Obama for America in Denver (2008). Founder and CEO of an NYC sustainable food distribution startup (2011-2016). Entrepreneurial Finance Professor and Economic Development Research Fellow at West Virginia University (2017-2020). Founder of Places I Never Heard of LLC, a business and economic development consulting firm (2020-2026).

Education: Georgetown University (BSFS) and the London School of Economics (MSc).

Contact

joshua.m.cook@gmail.com