Established in 2006, NC IDEA‘s primary focus was making seed grants directly to young technology companies. In July 2015, we converted to a private foundation and expanded our ambition to support the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem and economic potential of entrepreneurs in North Carolina.
NC IDEA rebrands Groundwork Labs accelerator program to NC IDEA LABS
NC IDEA launches NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM, granting $1.25 million to 11 organizations that impact entrepreneurs across North Carolina
NC IDEA SOAR, formerly known as SoarTriangle, is integrated into NC IDEA
NC IDEA makes it’s 100th seed grant with its NC IDEA SEED program
Thom Ruhe becomes CEO of NC IDEA
NC IDEA converts to a private foundation
David Rizzo, founding CEO of NC IDEA, retires
Groundwork Labs, now known as NC IDEA LABS is integrated into NC IDEA
SoarTriangle, now known as NC IDEA SOAR, (founded by Lauren Whitehurst, Vicki Gibbs, Kimberly Jenkins, Adam Klein, and John Austin) is launched with funding from Google for Entrepreneurs and support of American Underground
Groundwork Labs, now known as NC IDEA LABS is launched with funding from NC IDEA and American Underground
NC IDEA provides funding to Joystick Labs, a video game accelerator program
NC IDEA makes its first seven seed grants to CardioVascular Resonances, DeltaSphere, Illuminus, ImagineOptix, InsituTec, TransLoc and ZumaTek
MCNC-RDI splits – selling its research business to RTI and renaming the remaining entity NC IDEA, which becomes a supporting organization of CED
MCNC splits its two remaining businesses into two organizations; MCNC and MCNC-RDI
David Rizzo becomes President of MCNC
Cronos is acquired by JDS Uniphase, creating funding for NC IDEA and MCNC
MCNC, a private nonprofit organization, spins out Cronos Integrated Microsystems
The state legislature instructs MCNC to develop a plan to be self-sufficient by 2000
The Microelectronic Center of North Carolina (MCNC) is established with $24.4 million in state funding, with the goal of attracting semiconductor companies to the state
