NCSSM Grants & Resources
The core mission of the Colopy Program is to enable student entrepreneurs. This happens through three mechanisms: Educational programming, Mentorship and Accelerator Grants.
Students interested pursing an Accelerator Grant (AG) can apply for funding through this site. AGs are available on a rolling basis. Colopy Entrepreneurship also interfaces with other NCSSM funding and mentorship opportunities and can serve as a sponsor for your project. This program also provides legal support capabilities to help navigate the incorporation process.
For sponsorship needs when interfacing with other NCSSM programs please contact entrepreneurship@ncssm.edu.
For access to the Colopy Program Grant & Funding Toolkit, please visit link.
Accelerator Grant Process:
Please complete the form below. This application is "low stress" and design to begin an engagement conversation. This application will not be the deciding factor for funding requests.
Alternatively, a document using Grant & Funding Toolkit can be submitted to entrepreneurship@ncssm.edu.
NC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Funding & Grants
NC IDEA Micro & Seed Grants
Offers $10K (Micro) and $50K (Seed) grants to early-stage startups in North Carolina.
Website: ncidea.org
NC TECH Association Startup Grant & Pitch Events
Supports tech entrepreneurs with funding and networking opportunities.
Website: nctech.org
National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps
A program that helps STEM innovators move from research to commercialization with small grants and training.
Website: https://www.nsf.gov/i-corps
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
A program that provides funding and mentorship to high school entrepreneurs.
Website: yeausa.org
VentureWell E-Team Program
Grants and training for student-led STEM startups.
Website: venturewell.org
North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBC) Grants
Provides startup funding for biotech ventures.
Website: ncbiotech.org
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants & Loans
Various funding options for small businesses, including youth entrepreneurship programs.
Website: sba.gov
Mentorship & Incubators
Launch Chapel Hill
A startup accelerator in Chapel Hill that provides mentorship and workspace.
Website: launchchapelhill.com
First Flight Venture Center
A science and tech-focused incubator in Research Triangle Park (RTP).
Website: ffvcnc.org
HQ Raleigh (Raleigh Founded)
Coworking space and startup community with resources for young entrepreneurs.
Website: raleighfounded.com
CO.LAB Durham
Supports early-stage entrepreneurs in Durham, NC.
Website: colabdmc.com
NC State Entrepreneurship Garage
If you're attending NC State, this program offers mentorship, funding, and workspace.
Website: entrepreneurship.ncsu.edu
Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E)
If you’re heading to Duke, they offer startup funding and mentorship.
Website: entrepreneurship.duke.edu
UNC Kenan-Flagler Entrepreneurship Center
For future UNC students, this center provides support and funding.
Website: kenan-flagler.unc.edu
Competitions & Pitch Events
Conrad Challenge
A global competition for student innovators with opportunities for funding.
Website: conradchallenge.org
Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs
A competition with funding opportunities for student startups.
Website: diamondchallenge.org
DECA Innovation Plan Competition
If you were in DECA, their competitions offer startup funding and pitch experience.
Website: deca.org
MIT LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program
A summer program where students build real startups.
Website: launchx.com
UNC Makeathon
A prototyping competition for student entrepreneurs.
Website: makeathon.com
Tech Transfer & Research Commercialization
NC State Office of Technology Commercialization
Helps students and researchers turn innovations into businesses.
Website: research.ncsu.edu/otcn
UNC KickStart Venture Services
Helps students commercialize university research into startups.
Website: kickstart.unc.edu
Duke Office of Licensing & Ventures (OLV)
Helps students with patenting and commercializing research.
Website: olv.duke.edu
NCIDEA SOAR Program
Offers support for student-led startups in North Carolina.
Website: ncidea.org
Local & Government Support
NC Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Offers free business counseling and resources.
Website: sbtdc.org
Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF)
Provides loans and technical assistance to startups.
Website: carolinasmallbusiness.org
NC Rural Center’s Thread Capital
Microloans and funding for young entrepreneurs.
Website: threadcap.org
U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants
Funding for energy-related startups and technology development.
Website: science.osti.gov/sbir
Educational & Networking Resources
Startup NC
A network for North Carolina entrepreneurs to connect and find resources.
Website: startupnc.co
1 Million Cups
A weekly networking event where startups can present and get feedback.
Website: 1millioncups.com
Triangle Startup Guide (WRAL TechWire)
A comprehensive guide to startup resources in the Triangle.
Website: wraltechwire.com
NCIDEA Ice House Entrepreneurship Program
A program that teaches the mindset and skills of successful entrepreneurs.
Website: ncidea.org
Prototyping & Product Development
Forge Greensboro
A well-equipped makerspace with CNC machines, 3D printers, and metal/woodworking tools.
Website: forgegreensboro.org
TechWorks Gaston (Lowell, NC)
Offers coworking space, hardware prototyping, and coding labs.
Website: techworksgaston.org
First Flight Venture Center (RTP)
Incubator with prototyping support for science and tech startups.
Website: ffvcnc.org
Hatch Innovation Hub (Asheville, NC)
Has prototyping resources for physical product startups.
Website: hatchinnovationhub.org
NC State Entrepreneurship Garage (Raleigh, NC)
Offers students access to prototyping tools, including laser cutters, 3D printers, and electronics workbenches.
Website: entrepreneurship.ncsu.edu
UNC BeAM (Chapel Hill, NC)
Open-access makerspaces with prototyping tools for UNC students.
Website: beam.unc.edu
Duke Design Health Program
Focused on medical device prototyping and commercialization.
Website: designhealth.duke.edu
Engineering & Prototyping Services
NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)
Offers engineering and product development consulting.
Website: ies.ncsu.edu
NC A&T’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Offers R&D support for innovators
Website: ncat.edu
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Resources
Protolabs (Morrisville, NC)
On-demand CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
Website: protolabs.com
Carolina Precision Plastics (Thomasville, NC)
Small-batch plastic molding.
Website: carolinaprecisionplastics.com
Tekna Manufacturing (Winston-Salem, NC)
Sheet metal and precision fabrication.
Website: tekna.com
Hargett Materials (Charlotte, NC)
Custom composites and material processing.
Website: hargettmaterials.com
Scaling Up & Large-Scale Manufacturing
Manufacturing Solutions Center (Conover, NC)
Helps startups with product testing and scaling.
Website: manufacturingsolutionscenter.org
NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP)
Helps connect small businesses to NC-based manufacturers.
Website: ncmep.org
East West Manufacturing (Morrisville, NC)
Specializes in electronics and consumer products.
Website: eastwestmfg.com
Hickory Chair (Hickory, NC)
Specializes in furniture and textile manufacturing.
Website: hickorychair.com
Software Development, Technical Talent, Coding Bootcamps & Developer Training
Tech Talent South (Charlotte, NC)
Offers coding bootcamps and developer training.
Website: techtalentsouth.com
Momentum Learning (Durham, NC)
Provides training in full-stack development and software engineering.
Website: momentumlearn.com
Carolina Code School (Greenville, SC)
Coding bootcamp that teaches Python, JavaScript, and React.
Website: carolinacodeschool.org
Freelancers & Software Development Agencies
Code the Dream (Durham, NC)
Connects startups with affordable developers.
Website: codethedream.org
CrossComm (Durham, NC)
Custom software development agency for startups.
Website: crosscomm.com
WillowTree (Durham, NC)
Specializes in app development for businesses.
Website: willowtreeapps.com
Freelance Talent Platforms
Fiverr – fiverr.com
Upwork – upwork.com
Toptal – toptal.com
Labor, Workforce & Internship Resources
Hiring & Internships
NCWorks
A state-run program to help businesses find skilled workers.
Website: ncworks.gov
ApprenticeshipNC
Helps connect startups with apprentices and interns in NC.
Website: apprenticeshipnc.com
NCSU Co-op Program
Connects businesses with engineering students for internships.
Website: coop.ncsu.edu
UNC Internships & Startup Connect
Helps startups find students interested in tech, marketing, and business.
Website: careers.unc.edu
Duke I&E Student Consulting
Duke students provide consulting to startups.
Website: entrepreneurship.duke.edu
Manufacturing & Skilled Labor
Made in NC
A directory of North Carolina-based manufacturers and skilled laborers.
Website: madeinnc.com
NC Community College Workforce Development Programs
Many community colleges offer trade skills training in CNC machining, welding, and manufacturing.
Website: nccommunitycolleges.edu
NC A&T College of Engineering Co-Op Program
Connects students with manufacturing internships.
Website: ncat.edu
Venture Funding
Hatteras Venture Partners
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Seed and early-stage investments in healthcare sectors, including biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare IT.
Website: hatterasvp.com
Bull City Venture Partners
Location: Durham, NC
Investment Range: 250K to $2M-
Website: bcvp.com
IDEA Fund Partners
Location: Durham, NC-
Focus: Early-stage investments in technology and business model innovations, particularly in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Website: ideafundpartners.com
SJF Ventures
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: High-growth companies promoting sustainability and positive impact, spanning sectors like energy, mobility, asset recovery, sustainable food, education, health & wellness, and software.-
Website: sjfventures.com
Cofounders Capital
Location: Cary, NC-
Focus: Early-stage B2B software companies offering solutions with measurable ROI, primarily in North Carolina and the Southeast US.
Website: cofounderscapital.com
TrueBridge Capital Partners
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Focus: Investments in innovative technologies and startups across various sectors, acting as a connector and advisor within the venture ecosystem.
Website: truebridgecapital.com
Jurassic Capital
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Growth-stage investments in B2B software companies. Partners with established companies to provide capital and strategic guidance, aiming to accelerate growth and scale operations.
Website: jurassiccapital.com
Primordial Ventures
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Pre-seed investments in early-stage software startups, particularly in the Triangle area of North Carolina with annual revenues of less than $1 million
Website: primordial.io
Pamlico Capital
Location: Charlotte, NC-
Focus: Growth capital and leveraged buyouts in middle-market companies within business services, technology services, telecommunications, and healthcare.
Website: pamlicocapital.com
Frontier Growth
Location: Charlotte, NC-
Focus: Growth investments in software companies, emphasizing business services, consumer services, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Investment Range: 10M to $50M
Website: frontiergrowth.com
Oval Park Capital
Location: Raleigh, NC-
Focus: Early-stage investments in seed-stage companies across various sectors.
Website: ovalpark.com
Resilient Ventures
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Early-stage investments supporting African American founders, aiming to close the wealth gap by expanding access to capital, networks, and opportunities.
Website: resilientventures.org
Intersouth Partners
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Early-stage investments in life sciences and technology sectors.
Website: intersouth.com
Pappas Capital
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Life sciences sector, including biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery, and medical devices.
Website: pappas-capital.com
Excelerate Health Ventures
Location: Durham, NC- Focus: Early-stage healthcare companies, particularly in health IT and services.
Notable Investments: Aledade, Wellinks, ZeOmega.
Website: exceleratehealth.com
NovaQuest Capital Management
Location: Raleigh, NC
Focus: Life sciences sector, offering tailored and structured finance investments to BioPharma companies.
Website: novaquest.com
Sovereign’s Capital
Location: Raleigh, NC
Focus: Early-stage venture and seed accelerator, providing private capital to values-driven companies.
Website: sovereignscapital.com
VentureSouth
Location: Greenville, SC (with a significant presence in NC)
Focus: Early-stage investments across various sectors, providing capital and expertise to Southeastern startups.
Website: venturesouth.vc
Triangle Angel Partners
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Focus: Early-stage companies in the technology and life sciences sectors.
Website: triangleangelpartners.com
Front Porch Venture Partners
Location: Raleigh, NC
Focus: Investing in emerging startup ecosystems in the Southeast.
Website: frontporchvp.com
Oval Park Capital
Location: Raleigh, NC
Focus: Early-stage investments in seed-stage companies across various sectors.
Website: ovalpark.com
Resilient Ventures
Location: Durham, NC
Focus: Early-stage investments supporting African American founders, aiming to close the wealth gap by expanding access to capital, networks, and opportunities.
Website: resilientventures.org