News & Insights

NC IDEA FOUNDATION Selects 27 Semi-Finalists from Across the State in Spring 2019 Grant Cycle

Semi-Finalists Seeking $50,000 Each in NC IDEA’s 27th SEED Grant Cycle

DURHAM, NC – March 25, 2019 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic advancement in North Carolina, announced today that the organization has selected 27 semi-finalists from across the state in its 27th SEED grant cycle. These semi-finalists were chosen from 151 competitive applications.

“We are pleased by the diversification both demographically and geographically in this group of semi-finalists moving forward,” said Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. “We had a difficult task in narrowing down the competitive field of applicants, but look forward to learning more about the group moving forward in the next phase of the process.”

The 27 Spring 2019 NC IDEA SEED Semi-Finalists include:

3i Nanotech – Greensboro, NC
Aeva Labs – Raleigh, NC
ChurchLEARN – Vilas, NC
Companah – Raleigh, NC
Devil’s Foot Beverage, LLC – Asheville, NC
ecoTEKindustries – Wilmington, NC
FeedStation – Chapel Hill, NC
Foenestra Corporation – Winston-Salem, NC
Freshspire – Raleigh, NC
Global Impact acting as BatteryXchange – Charlotte, NC
Global Mobile Finance, Inc. – Morrisville, NC
GoKart Kids – Cary, NC
Green Stream Technologies, Inc. – Raleigh, NC
Groove Watersports – Charlotte, NC
InsArgotML – Raleigh, NC
Jam – Charlotte, NC
Kwistr – Raleigh, NC
LivWell Nutrition – Winston-Salem, NC
Phyta, Inc. – Chapel Hill, NC
Podcraft – Candler, NC
Product Air Lift Systems, Inc. – Wilmington, NC
Renaissance Fiber LLC – Wilmington, NC
Security Camera Maintenance Company – Durham, NC
Swell Systems, Inc. – Wilmington, NC
Tin Lizzee – Sanford, NC
Ungraded Produce – Durham, NC
Zogo Finance – Durham, NC

The semi-finalists have been invited to submit a full proposal with greater details by the first of April. Finalists will then be selected to present before a review panel comprised of experienced investors, industry experts and entrepreneurs. Grant recipients will be announced in mid-May. The $50,000 grants are intended to support business activities that validate target markets, reduce risk associated with early stage companies and help companies get to the point of suitability for growth; whether through investment or revenue.

About NC IDEA FOUNDATION
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to 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.