Last week, NC IDEA announced a new opportunity for North Carolina startups and existing businesses that are preparing investment crowdfunding campaigns to raise capital. As we expand our 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.

North Carolina lags behind other states when it comes to using investment crowdfunding as a vehicle for companies to raise funds; and the recent passage of the NC PACES Act gives North Carolina companies another mechanism to raise capital from individuals in a compliant and organized manner. Platforms like Localstake NC have emerged over the last few years to help companies raise investment capital from individual investors. Conversely, these platforms allow all individuals regardless of accreditation to support local companies with their investment dollars. While this mechanism has helped thousands of companies across the country successfully raise capital, to date, few companies in North Carolina have taken advantage of this potential alternative to raising money.

Learn more about our Investment Crowdfunding Grant and make plans to join us this coming Monday, December 17th for an Info Session via Webinar to see if this opportunity may be right for you and your company.

Join NC IDEA for an online information session on Monday, December 17th at 1:00pm. We will be sharing information about our Spring 2019 Investment Crowdfunding Grant, including the requirements and structure of the program, as well as who is eligible to apply. Also presenting on the webinar will be Ryan Flynn, founder of Localstake, and Mark Easley, publisher and editor of CrowdfundNC.com and an active advocate, advisor and investor in the investment crowdfunding industry.

You have a great idea or know someone that does? NC IDEA LABS helps entrepreneurs refine their business model and learn more about their customers.

An intensive four-week program, NC IDEA LABS helps entrepreneurs take their first steps to building a successful company. The program guides entrepreneurs through the process of identifying and targeting customers, then validating product/market fit. Entrepreneurs spend much of the time communicating directly with potential customers, gathering feedback and assessing demand.

Learn more about NC IDEA LABS and participant eligibility. Want a little flavor of what NC IDEA LABS has to offer? Read this blog post about conducting effective customer interviews.

Applications are due December 24th at 5pm EST to participate in our first cohort of 2019 running January 28th – February 22nd.

You’ve made your list and you’re checking it twice. Or maybe you’re still trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone.

NC IDEA has compiled its 2nd Annual Holiday Gift Guide to help free up some time and make your shopping stress-free … all while supporting North Carolina born and bred products from the entrepreneurs that are part of our NC IDEA family. And just this week, we have added coupon codes to some of the items – so on top of getting some great gifts, you can save money!

We are big fans and believers in these products, and we’re pretty sure your gift recipients will be too!