NOW HIRING
NC IDEA is supporting the recruitment of multiple part-time contract EIR roles through its partnership with NCInnovation.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Celebrating 20 years with the ‘Where Are They Now?’ video series featuring early grant companies and the entrepreneurs behind NC’s top startups.
2025 SUMMIT
On Nov. 17-18, we will showcase NC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in RTP at the 2025 Ecosysten Summit.
JUST ANNOUNCED: NC IDEA Foundation Elects New Board Chair and Directors
Since 2006, NC IDEA has awarded more than $24 million in grants to companies and partners throughout the state. Discover the grant activity in specific areas of North Carolina by selecting a region.
The Western NC/Mountains region consists of 26 counties and is home to the highest mountains in the Eastern United States, with 125 peaks rising to over 5,000 feet in elevation. Centrally located, Asheville is the area’s largest city and the most prominent commercial hub. Although tourism is a major part of the region’s economy, the startup scene is supported by a growing network of partners, and the area has received a number of national accolades in recent years ranking it high as one of the best places to start a business.
The Charlotte/Central Piedmont region and its 7 counties is a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Although the city of Charlotte is touted as the second largest banking center in the United States, the city and surrounding area has become a growing hub for entrepreneurs. The thriving startup and tech communities are supported by an extensive network of incubators, accelerators and other entrepreneurial support organizations.
The Piedmont Triad Region is home to 12 counties and is anchored by three main cities; Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. The region is long known as one of the primary manufacturing and transportation hubs of the Southeastern United States with a significant focus on the textile, tobacco and furniture industries. Today the region boasts a growing innovation community supporting both life science and information technology research and development.
The Research Triangle region consists of 8 counties and is one of the country’s most prominent high-tech research and development centers. Frequently landing in one of the top spots as the best place to start and grow a company by numerous sites and publications, the region boasts a thriving economy with vibrant rural and urban communities. The area is anchored by three major research universities, 9 colleges and 8 nationally renowned community colleges generating a highly-educated population. In the first several years of NC IDEA, most grant activity occurred in this region.
The Sandhills region and its 13 mostly rural counties are centrally situated in the state. Innovative companies and supporting partners in the region have received grant awards in more recent cycles as technology has become a fast-growing segment of the economy. The area is home to the nation’s largest Army installation (Fort Bragg) with a large workforce serving the healthcare, advanced manufacturing and tourism industries.
Over 70% of the 24 counties comprising Eastern NC are designated as economically distressed based on employment, median household income, population and per capita property value. The growing community of entrepreneurs in the region is supported by a collaborative network of partners encouraging economic activity and catalyzing job creation through innovative services making this an attractive area for recent grant activity.
The Wilmington/Coastal NC region of the state consists of 10 counties that have seen a significant increase in entrepreneurial activity in recent years. With a solid technology base and a thriving infrastructure of accelerators and incubators helping entrepreneurs advance their companies, the region has earned national recognition regarding entrepreneurial activity. The area supports a wide variety of industries from mobile apps to SAAS, and medical devices to biotechnology to consumer products and more.
Statewide Distribution of Total Grants by Region
- ENGAGE
- ECOSYSTEM
- MICRO & SEED
- NC BEC
FOCUS ON DIVERSITY
NC BLACK
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
COUNCIL
Elevating Black Entrepreneurship in North Carolina
The North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council (NC BEC) leads NC IDEA in its programmatic and grant making ambitions to address the challenges of Black entrepreneurship in North Carolina. The Council works closely with the Foundation to identify, recommend and support partners, grant recipients and programs to serve the entrepreneurial aspirations and economic potential of North Carolina’s Black community.
Elevating Black Entrepreneurship in North Carolina
The North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council (NC BEC) leads NC IDEA in its programmatic and grant making ambitions to address the challenges of Black entrepreneurship in North Carolina. The Council works closely with the Foundation to identify, recommend and support partners, grant recipients and programs to serve the entrepreneurial aspirations and economic potential of North Carolina’s Black community.
FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Helping Entrepreneurs When They Need It Most
COMPANIES
Beyond funding, we aim to tell the stories of our MICRO and SEED grant recipients throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
FOR THE ECOSYSTEM
Strengthening Economic Opportunity for All Communities
PARTNERS
By working together with our network of statewide partners, we achieve our shared goals of advancing entrepreneurship in the state of North Carolina.
ECOSYSTEM SUMMIT
Entrepreneurship advocates come together to collaborate and address what is needed to support all entrepreneurs, creating a shared vision of making North Carolina the best place to start and grow a business.
GRANTS AWARDED
