News & Insights

NC IDEA Selects Nine Finalists from Across the State in Spring 2015 Grant Cycle

DURHAM, NC – May 11, 2015 – NC IDEA, an organization committed to supporting business innovation and economic advancement in North Carolina, announced today that it has selected nine finalists from across the state to compete in its 19th grant cycle. These finalists were chosen from the 26 semi-finalists that had been selected out of the 145 applications received from NC-based startups focused on software, information technology, medical devices or material sciences earlier this year.

The nine NC IDEA Spring 2015 Grant Cycle Finalists include:

  • Akili Software – Raleigh, NC
  • ColoWrap – Durham, NC
  • Essay Assay – Durham, NC
  • iScribes – Durham, NC
  • KWIPPED – Wilmington, NC
  • Luxury Shoe Club – Cary, NC
  • The Torch – Charlotte, NC
  • Trinket – Durham, NC
  • Urban Offsets – Greensboro, NC

The finalists will present before a review panel comprised of experienced investors, industry experts and entrepreneurs. Approximately four to six grant recipients will be announced in early June. The grants, which are up to $50,000 per recipient, support business plan research and development, reduce the risk of early failure and advance projects to the point of suitability for angel or venture capital investment. In addition to the funding, winners will also benefit from mentoring by successful entrepreneurs and experienced investors; use of MBA interns; in-kind services from attorneys, accountants and marketing consultants; public recognition and access to growth capital.

Earlier this year, NC IDEA announced the organization’s latest grant recipients from its Fall 2014 cycle: EMPLOYUS, Freebooksy, Mati Energy, RevBoss and Upswing. Since its inception in 2006, NC IDEA’s grant program has awarded over $3.7M to 93 companies across the state.

About NC IDEA
NC IDEA, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, targets promising technology companies that need help bridging the gap between initial product development and venture capital funding. The organization helps young, innovative companies mainly by providing early financing in the form of grants. NC IDEA further supports its grant winning companies by leveraging the organization’s solid partnerships and strategic alliances to assist companies through research phases, business challenges and growth goals. Learn more at ncidea.org.