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