Entrepreneurship@NCSSM

Colopy Entrepreneurship Program

If you look at the LinkedIn pages of successful North Carolina entrepreneurs, you will often see NCSSM listed in their background. As we look at improving the future of North Carolina, investing in the entrepreneurial education of these students is one of the highest return investments that I can imagine. - Joe Colopy, Founding Sponsor

The Highlight Reel

Carson Jackson: Research Translation

NCSSM students had the opportunity to hear from Carson Jackson, co-founder of DuraVax Inc., during a Lunch & Learn session focused on biotech entrepreneurship. Carson, an Honors Scholar at UNCW, shared his journey from student researcher to startup founder, detailing how his team secured a $274,991 NSF Small Business Technology Transfer grant to develop novel mRNA vaccine stabilization technology.

With 23 students in attendance, the discussion highlighted the challenges of funding early-stage biotech ventures, the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, and the power of near-peer mentorship in shaping emerging innovators. Carson’s insights provided a firsthand look at balancing research, commercialization, and startup growth—all while still in college.

Thank you to Carson for an engaging and inspiring session!

J-Term Spotlight: Turning Ideas Into Impact

In just 8 days, NCSSM students transformed ambitious ideas into real-world nonprofit proposals, tackling issues from food insecurity to maternal health. With guidance from industry experts, they gained invaluable insights on scaling impact, managing budgets, and staying focused on the mission.

Entrepreneurship Fair

Student entrepreneurs in Chad Keister’s HU 4000 Entrepreneurship course recently held an Entrepreneurship Fair on the NCSSM-Durham campus. The event, dubbed Innovate. Create. Disrupt.

NCSSM Students Take the Win at DECA's 2024 International Competition!

After enduring the social challenges of online school, Anika, a senior at NCSSM-Durham, longed for a way to rebuild her public speaking skills. What she didn’t know was that joining a DECA chapter would ignite a journey that would take her to the international stage—and lead her to victory.

E-Ship at NCSSM

Since NCSSM’s founding more than four decades ago, curiosity and creativity have underpinned a spirit of entrepreneurial discovery that has marked the school as among the very best public high schools in the country...

Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Aryan Goyal, an NCSSM residential student from Charlotte, and Marco Wellener, an online student from Pinehurst, teamed up to develop a business idea to help increase the efficiency of auto repair shops.