As part of our ‘Partner Spotlight’ series, we introduce our 2018 ECOSYSTEM partner, the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based in Wilmington, NC. The CIE works to identify and nurture high-growth, high-impact companies in the Southeastern part of the state. With a combination of event, co-working, and office spaces, the CIE is invested in helping start-ups meet their goals.
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 Describe your organization in 25 words or less.
CIE nurtures high-impact startups with education, connections, and incubation and collision space and accelerates the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeastern North Carolina as a vibrant hub of innovation.
How does your organization support entrepreneurs?
Through education, connections, incubation, and collision space. We focus on high-impact entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial pipeline, and creating innovation as part of the Wilmington culture.
Who benefits from your organization’s work?
High-impact entrepreneurs often tackle big community problems in a scalable way. As a result, the entire community and beyond benefits from the results of the entrepreneurs’ work. We are here to support entrepreneur success, as well as seed the notion of entrepreneurship as a career path.
What do entrepreneurs in your community need most to build a successful business? How is your organization helping to address this need(s)?
According to surveys that we have done, entrepreneurs need capital and just-in-time support. We provide networking options, programs, and meet 1:1 with entrepreneurs to meet them where they are to help enable success.
Please share any collaborative partners or relationships your organization has either directly in your community or within the broader NC entrepreneurial ecosystem. How do these partnerships help strengthen your respective work and/or missions?
The Wilmington Coalition (wilmingtonbusinessresources.com) bands together to make sure that all entrepreneurs can succeed through the suite of 15 services. UNCW CIE was one of three founders of this organization five year ago, in addition to Cape Fear Community College SBC and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.Published January 17, 2024
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Submission Provided by: Heather McWhorter (Director)
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As part of our ‘Partner Spotlight’ series, we introduce our 2018 ECOSYSTEM partner, the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based in Wilmington, NC. The CIE works to identify and nurture high-growth, high-impact companies in the Southeastern part of the state. With a combination of event, co-working, and office spaces, the CIE is invested in helping start-ups meet their goals.
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Describe your organization in 25 words or less.
CIE nurtures high-impact startups with education, connections, and incubation and collision space and accelerates the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeastern North Carolina as a vibrant hub of innovation.
How does your organization support entrepreneurs?
Through education, connections, incubation, and collision space. We focus on high-impact entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial pipeline, and creating innovation as part of the Wilmington culture.
Who benefits from your organization’s work?
High-impact entrepreneurs often tackle big community problems in a scalable way. As a result, the entire community and beyond benefits from the results of the entrepreneurs’ work. We are here to support entrepreneur success, as well as seed the notion of entrepreneurship as a career path.
What do entrepreneurs in your community need most to build a successful business? How is your organization helping to address this need(s)?
According to surveys that we have done, entrepreneurs need capital and just-in-time support. We provide networking options, programs, and meet 1:1 with entrepreneurs to meet them where they are to help enable success.
Please share any collaborative partners or relationships your organization has either directly in your community or within the broader NC entrepreneurial ecosystem. How do these partnerships help strengthen your respective work and/or missions?
The Wilmington Coalition (wilmingtonbusinessresources.com) bands together to make sure that all entrepreneurs can succeed through the suite of 15 services. UNCW CIE was one of three founders of this organization five year ago, in addition to Cape Fear Community College SBC and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.Published January 17, 2024
Submission Provided by: Heather McWhorter (Director)
