News & Insights

NC IDEA FOUNDATION Announces Info Sessions and Application Deadlines for NC IDEA LABS

Organization Seeking Applications from Ambitious Entrepreneurs Starting July 30th

DURHAM, NC – July 19, 2018 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic advancement in North Carolina, announced today that the organization will begin accepting applications for NC IDEA LABS starting July 30th. The application window will kick-off with a webinar and in-person Q&A session to provide more details for interested applicants.

NC IDEA LABS, formerly known as Groundwork Labs, is an intensive four-week program targeted at ambitious entrepreneurs with a unique idea in a large or growing market. The program’s structure is designed to help entrepreneurs perform effective customer discovery, validate assumptions, make decisions faster and take proper steps to move their company forward. After the completion of the program, those who demonstrate coachability and make meaningful progress will continue to receive support from NC IDEA through mentorship and programming.

The upcoming application opportunity for the first Fall cohort of NC IDEA LABS running September 10th through October 5th will open July 30th with applications due August 13th at 5:00pm EST. Applications will open for a second Fall cohort running mid-October through mid-November on August 27th. Interested applicants may attend any of the following information sessions being held via webinar and in-person.

  • NC IDEA LABS Info Session via Webinar – Thursday, August 2nd at 3:00pm
  • NC IDEA LABS Q&A Session, American Tobacco Campus, Durham, NC – Tuesday, August 7th at 12:00pm

To learn more, attend an information session and to apply for NC IDEA LABS, visit ncidea.org and follow the links on the homepage.

About NC IDEA FOUNDATION
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic advancement in North Carolina. Today, the organization fulfills this mission through multiple grant and assistance programs. NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM funds organizations across the state that execute creative programs to support entrepreneurs. Similarly, NC IDEA ENGAGE is a community-focused grant program supporting individuals and organizations that facilitate entrepreneurship activity. Over the last decade, the NC IDEA SEED program has awarded over $5.5M in non-dilutive grants to 132 high-growth companies across the state, and most recently awarded nearly $150,000 in 15 micro-grants through a pilot program. Since 2011, over 150 companies have participated in NC IDEA LABS, formerly Groundwork Labs, to guide founders developing an idea or product. NC IDEA SOAR, a program founded in 2012, supports female entrepreneurs leading scalable businesses in raising capital through mentorship, strategic advice and connections. NC IDEA LEAD, the Foundation’s newest program, provides leadership training for founders of high-growth companies. Learn more at ncidea.org.