Fall 2023 SEED Grant Recipients Announced LIVE at Conclusion of 2023 NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit
DURHAM, NC – November 15, 2023 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, announced today at the conclusion of the 2023 Ecosystem Summit, that the organization has awarded $300,000 to six North Carolina startups. Since its inception in 2006, the NC IDEA SEED grant program has awarded over $9.3M in non-dilutive grants to 205 high-growth companies throughout the state, with these most recent awards representing the program’s 36th cycle.
“It’s exciting that four of the six newest SEED grant recipients previously received an NC IDEA MICRO grant,” said Amy Bastian, Senior Director of NC IDEA. “The $10K MICRO funding paired with customer discovery programming and network building helped these companies validate parts of their business to become competitive for the larger SEED grant. Not to mention, with three companies based in the Charlotte area and one company from Winston-Salem, we are continuing to see the strength of the statewide startup ecosystem in helping these companies grow,” Amy added.
The following six Fall 2023 NC IDEA SEED grant recipients were chosen after a three-month competitive application and selection process that drew applications from across the state:
Bristles – Durham, NC
An app that serves as your AI DIY design co-pilot for home improvement projects from refinishing furniture to renovating your kitchen.
Charvonia Design – Huntersville, NC
Selling Billet Tie Downs that offer a stronger, more useful, and better-looking option to the basic, factory tie downs that come on every truck.
DEI Directive – Charlotte, NC
A DEI technology company helping HR professionals access real-time, granular and actionable data necessary for good decision-making that drives increased employee engagement, retention, and innovation.
DNAli Data Technologies – Cary, NC
Technology that takes an unmodified DNA polymer through a gentle biological process to create modified DNA, like a molecular copying machine.
Framewrk – Charlotte, NC
Providing early-stage entrepreneurs with spaces to connect and tools to grow their business on the road to profitability.
Three Strands Recovery Wear – Winston-Salem, NC
Dedicated to enhancing the healing journey of post-surgical patients through their revolutionary product, the Resilience Bra, and additional loungewear garments.
NC IDEA SEED offers early stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. The $50,000 grants are awarded to innovative startups with a proven concept, even if they are not yet profitable. The funds, along with mentorship and guidance, push companies forward and reduce the risk associated with these nascent firms.
During the live grant announcements, NC IDEA also recognized the fifteen previously announced Fall 2023 MICRO grant recipients.
About NC IDEA FOUNDATION
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to equitably empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential. Through our powerful combination of competitive grants and programs and a network of strategic partners, we help entrepreneurs when they need it most. NC IDEA’s resources are highly competitive, enabling the Foundation to support North Carolina’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs transform communities and view our work as a catalyst for positive change. Learn more at ncidea.org.
