Fall 2024 SEED Grant Recipients Announced LIVE Yesterday at Conclusion of Day One of 2024 NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit
DURHAM, NC – November 20, 2024 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, announced today that the organization has awarded a total of $350,000 in grants to seven North Carolina startups. The new grant recipients were announced live yesterday at the conclusion of Day One of the 2024 Ecosystem Summit. Since its inception in 2006, the NC IDEA SEED grant program has awarded over $10M in non-dilutive grants to 219 high-growth companies throughout the state, with these most recent awards representing the program’s 38th cycle.
“This cycle marks a huge milestone for the SEED grant program with over $10 million in funding since its inception,” said Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. “It is a privilege to support the entrepreneurial journey of so many companies across our state, and this most recent cycle continues to remind us of the vibrant and resilient startup ecosystem of North Carolina,” Ruhe added.
The following seven Fall 2024 NC IDEA SEED grant recipients were chosen after a three-month competitive application and selection process that drew applications from across the state:
Atlantic Fish Co – Raleigh, NC
Developing cultivated seafood to provide the world a delicious and sustainable protein with the vision of a future that’s better for people, animals, and the planet.
Cydoc – Durham, NC
Bringing the power of AI into healthcare through the first AI-native electronic health record (EHR) and virtual health system.
Hoppy Planet Foods – Charlotte, NC
A sustainable ingredient company that leverages its patented processing methods for valorizing insects into high-quality proteins and fats, which work as sustainable and cost-efficient replacements for ingredients in the human and pet food markets.
Matcha Nude – Asheville, NC
Redefining matcha with a unique blend of affordability, exceptional taste, and a focus on sustainability.
Sunlight – Cary, NC
Your Case Plan is an easy-to-use and secure mobile app that helps public defenders provide high-quality legal representation for parents and children in child welfare cases.
Virnika – Chapel Hill, NC
Leverages AI to simplify restaurant operations using a restaurant’s existing phone infrastructure as a channel to implement its Multi-Modal Agentic AI Software.
WeyeZE – Greenville, NC
A self-correcting glasses kit allowing the user to get a personalized pair of corrective glasses within minutes.
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 sixteen previously announced Fall 2024 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 www.ncidea.org.
