NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM supports organizations executing innovative and transformational ideas that can strengthen North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is not our intention to create funding dependencies for organizations we support via ECOSYSTEM grants; rather, our aim is to help validate new initiatives and demonstrate that continuing the support of those activities beyond the period of the grant would be in the interest of the communities served.

We invite proposals from nonprofit and for-profit organizations within North Carolina that help North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial ambition to start and build innovative companies. Note that preferential consideration will be given to proposed activities that support startups who may later take advantage of NC IDEA’s grants and programs for entrepreneurs. Organizations working with small and lifestyle businesses are not the focus of this program, as we believe there are other entities around the state that focus on serving those firms.