Spoiler Alert: We are going to continue what we have done since our inception in 2006; namely, empowering people through entrepreneurship. Whereas programs and activities have and will continue to evolve, we remain committed to helping people realize their full entrepreneurial potential. You can see a summary of how we have done that here.

Last year concluded with us happily exhausted from addressing, educating, helping and funding hundreds of people from the mountains to the shores. We wrapped up 2018 with our inaugural Ice House Facilitator training – the first cohort of 50 facilitators that are now working to offer this powerful program in their communities. And we can’t wait to certify the next cohort of facilitators this March while supporting the program deployment in a variety of ways across North Carolina. Be on the lookout for an announcement on January 15th with a specific date, time and application link.

This remains our big, hairy audacious goal, for 2019 and beyond, to empower at least 100,000 people with an entrepreneurial mindset. As I said last year, and will say many more times to come, an entrepreneurial mindset is our greatest natural resource and best investment for a future of peace and economic prosperity.

Entrepreneurially yours,

Thom Ruhe
President & CEO
NC IDEA FOUNDATION

As NC IDEA expands its mission to more actively serve those that are underrepresented and underserved, we are partnering with Localstake NC to test the appetite for investment crowdfunding in North Carolina by offering an Investment Crowdfunding Grant for the first time in Spring 2019 to companies ready to expand their businesses via investment crowdfunding on Localstake NC.

Applications for the Investment Crowdfunding Grant are open now through January 28th at 5pm EST.

Want to learn more and apply?

• Review the Investment Crowdfunding Grant program details
• See who is eligible to apply for the Investment Crowdfunding Grant
• Attend one of our January Info Sessions being held across the state
• Listen to our recorded Info Session via webinar
• Schedule Virtual Office Hours to get answers to your specific questions
• Preview the application and get some additional tips
• Learn more if you are new to investment crowdfunding
• Additional Questions? Email programs@ncidea.org
• APPLY NOW

During the month of January, NC IDEA FOUNDATION will be traveling throughout the state visiting some of our partners to provide an overview of NC IDEA FOUNDATION programming, specifically focusing on our three Spring 2019 grant opportunities that support ambitious, growth-oriented companies: NC IDEA MICRO ($10,000); NC IDEA SEED ($50,000) and an Investment Crowdfunding Grant ($5,000) through a partnership with Localstake NC.

Each session will kick-off with an NC IDEA team member giving a brief walk through of the various grants and programs offered by the Foundation and how they may benefit you and your company. The remainder of the session will be interactive; sharing tips and best practices for writing a competitive grant application, covering the anatomy of the application with specifics on what the reviewers are looking for in each section. Eligibility requirements for NC IDEA MICRO, NC IDEA SEED, and the Investment Crowdfunding Grant will also be covered to provide you with a greater understanding of each opportunity and which one may be most appropriate and beneficial for you and your company.

Sign-up for an upcoming session below.

Spring 2019 Grants Information Sessions

Charlotte Info Session – Tuesday, January 8th at 6:00pm
Asheville Info Session – Thursday, January 10th at 4:30pm
Greenville Info Session – Tuesday, January 15th at 5:00pm
Research Triangle Info Session – Wednesday, January 16th at 10:30am
Wilmington Info Session – Wednesday, January 16th at 5:30pm
Winston-Salem Info Session – Wednesday, January 23rd at 5:30pm

**Applications for the Investment Crowdfunding Grant are currently open through January 28, 2019 at 5pm EST. NC IDEA MICRO and NC IDEA SEED grant applications open February 18, 2019 and close March 4, 2019 at 5pm EST. For more information or to sign up for Virtual Office Hours, click here.