News & Insights

NC IDEA Seeking Grant Applications from Innovative Startups Across the State

DURHAM, NC – September 7, 2016 – NC IDEA Foundation, an organization committed to supporting entrepreneurial business innovation and economic advancement in North Carolina, announced today that the organization is accepting applications for its twenty-second seed grant cycle now through September 26th.

The grant opportunity for NC-based entrepreneurs and companies, and those looking to locate to North Carolina, is now open. Companies with proprietary intellectual property or other means of sustained competitive advantage that are solving large problems are encouraged to apply. The final deadline to apply is Monday, September 26th at 5:00pm EST.

NC IDEA’s seed grant program is a catalyst for technological breakthroughs developed in North Carolina that have a significant potential to successfully transition into commercially viable, high-growth enterprises. The grants, which are up to $50,000 per recipient, support business activities that validate potential markets, reduce the risk of early failure and advance projects to the point of suitability for growth funding; be that crowd funding, angel or venture capital investment. In addition to the grant, recipients will benefit from mentoring by successful entrepreneurs and experienced investors; access to MBA interns; in-kind services from attorneys, accountants and marketing consultants; public recognition and connections to growth capital and investor networks.

To learn more and to apply for an NC IDEA grant, visit ncidea.org. Applicants who are also interested in applying to NC IDEA’s startup program, Groundwork Labs, may do so using the same application.

About NC IDEA
NC IDEA is a private foundation committed to supporting business innovation and economic advancement in North Carolina and serves as a catalyst for young, high-growth companies. Today, the organization fulfills this mission through four initiatives. The Ecosystem Partner Grant program funds organizations across the state that execute creative programs to support entrepreneurs. Over the last decade, the Seed Grant program has awarded over $4.5M to 109 high-growth companies. Since 2011, more than 100 companies have participated in the Groundwork Labs startup program. SoarTriangle, a program founded in 2012 to address the proven funding gap for female entrepreneurs, formally became a foundation program in August 2016. Learn more at ncidea.org.