NC State has set an ambitious goal to double the number of startups launched by University faculty and students. A new initiative — the NC State Fast 15 — was created in 2012 to help achieve this.
The NC State Fast 15 is a portfolio representing the fifteen most compelling business opportunities from both faculty research and student creativity across NC State University.
Venture Development, in the Office of Technology Transfer guides the NC State Fast 15 to reach their full potential by providing mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs, business launch planning, and executive searches. The group also receives visibility to help attract interest from investors and prospective early stage stakeholders.
Faculty, current students close to graduation, and alumni who just graduated are welcome to apply to the venture mentoring program. Each class of the NC State Fast 15 begins in the early Fall with open applications submitted during the summer in June and July.
Potential candidates are vetted by the NC State FAST 15 Council with representation from: