at Celebratory Reception During Raleigh-Durham Startup Week

Supported by ECMC Group and In Partnership with Provident1898, Fellowship Provides Funding, Mentorship, and Access to Help Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs from the Durham and Research Triangle Region Pursuing Bold Ideas

DURHAM, NC – April 21, 2026 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, announced at a celebratory reception last evening during Raleigh-Durham Startup Week that the organization, in partnership with Provident1898 and supported by ECMC Group, has awarded five innovative Research Triangle Region-based entrepreneurs with two years of funding and mentoring for their businesses as the inaugural Triangle cohort of the Bold Path Fellowship. The Bold Path Fellowship, funded by the ECMC Group Education Impact Fund and ECMC Foundation, is a two-year immersive program designed to provide capital and support to under-resourced individuals who are recent postsecondary graduates and are residents of the Durham or Research Triangle Region committed to building their venture in their community.

The five selected Fellows – Mikal Ali, Tiffany Degbotse, Rich Gilliam, Bilal Issifou, and Ellora McTaggart – were chosen through a highly competitive process that drew applicants from across the Durham and greater Triangle region.

“Launching the Bold Path Fellowship in the Triangle region reflects what’s possible when local partners come together to support post-secondary graduates with visionary ideas to build businesses with impact,” said Britney McCoy, Program Manager for the Bold Path Fellowship. “We’ve been incredibly impressed by the talent and vision of the applicants, and we’re excited to provide the resources and guidance they need during these critical early stages of business development. Together we will cultivate a strong, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem—one we believe can deliver lasting benefits and serve as a model for other communities,” McCoy added.

Each Fellow is working on a high-potential venture aligned with their lived experiences and community needs. Their ideas span industries with a shared focus on creating meaningful economic and social impact. The 2026 Bold Path Fellows (Research Triangle Region) include:

• Mikal Ali is an entrepreneur and beekeeper leading Blossoms Village, a mission-driven initiative focused on sustainable honey production, education, and community power.
• Tiffany Degbotse is the Founder of EchoML, a platform that allows organizations to interact with their AI models to understand, test, and build trust in their AI systems.
• Rich Gilliam is the Founder and CEO of STEM PLUG, a company that creates story-based robotics kits for K–12 students.
• Bilal Issifou is the Founder and CEO of Unchained Inc, a Gen Z marketplace connecting students, creators, and ambassadors with brands for paid opportunities, employer branding, and campus engagement.
• Ellora McTaggart is the Co-Founder and CEO of Carolina Instruments, a UNC Chapel Hill spinout building wearable technology that captures eye motion and pupil responses in real time.

“Entrepreneurship can be a unifying force for economic opportunity and community growth,” said Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA Foundation. “Through Bold Path, we are expanding access and unlocking the potential of individuals with the drive and vision to build something meaningful, ensuring that aspiring founders, regardless of background, have the resources, relationships, and support they need to pursue entrepreneurship. We are excited to work alongside ECMC Group’s Education Impact Fund and Provident1898 to support these five selected Fellows as they bring their ideas to life and contribute to the broader success of our state,” Ruhe added.

Bold Path Fellows each receive $120,000 in non-dilutive grant funding over two years. The grants are intended to substitute for early “family and friends” funding, which is often lacking for under-resourced founders and critical to get their businesses off the ground.  The effort, funded by the ECMC Group Education Impact Fund and ECMC Foundation, also provides the fellows with local mentors to offer guidance and advice.

This initiative builds on NC IDEA’s broader mission to equitably empower North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential and strengthen communities through inclusive economic development. To learn more about the Bold Path Fellowship and the five selected Fellows, please visit www.ncidea.org/bold-path-fellowship.

About NC IDEA Foundation
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to equitably 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 atwww.ncidea.org.

About ECMC Group
ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation focused on helping students succeed. Headquartered in Minneapolis, ECMC Group and its family of companies provide financial tools and services, as well as funding for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. To learn more, visitwww.ecmcgroup.org.

About Education Impact Fund
The Education Impact Fund is a $250 million evergreen fund that aims to accelerate the transformation of America’s postsecondary and workforce ecosystem by investing in innovative companies and collaborating with institutions, employers and communities toward a shared vision of improving education access and outcomes for underserved learners. To learn more, visitwww.educationimpactfund.org.

About ECMC Foundation
ECMC Foundation is a national foundation whose North Star goal is to eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040. The Foundation’s mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers to postsecondary completion; building the capacity of organizations, institutions and systems; and transforming the postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visitingwww.ecmcfoundation.org.

About Provident1898
Provident1898 is a 15,000-SF coworking community of diverse entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists who are passionate about building a progressive and equitable workplace on a shared history and local ownership. Located on the historic grounds of NC Mutual Life Insurance Company, in the Mutual Tower, Provident1898 is inspired by Durham’s legacy of Black entrepreneurship and business success. The flexible, multi-industry workspace offers a range of customizable membership options for organizations at various stages of development with the ability to scale. Learn more atwww.provident1898.com.