Funding
There are many resources available to help a University Innovator Launch, Build, and Scale their new venture. Below are links to funding opportunities available at the university, regional, and state level.
Be sure to check the criteria for each opportunity to make sure your venture is a good fit and feel free to reach out to Zach Williams, New Ventures Program Manager, for any questions you might have on pursuing these opportunities.
Launch
NC State I-Corps
NC State’s NSF I-Corps Site Program provides participating teams with training in customer discovery best practices and understanding market feedback. Teams receive travel funding to interview potential customers and end users of university technologies to better understand market needs and this funding can include travel to conferences and trade shows.
NC Biotechnology Center
NCBiotech offers several funding programs designed to fill gaps in technology development and company growth. These funds help university researchers and companies conduct critical studies and reach significant development milestones that enable them to attract follow-on funding.
Build
Spark Plug
ORC’s SparkPlug Program provides funding to NC State startup companies that are pursuing SBIR/STTR grant funding. Selected applicants receive funds to be used towards professional grant writing assistance to maximize the chance of proposal success.
Daugherty Endowment
NC State’s Daugherty Endowment Fund is an annual business plan competition for NC State startups that have licensed NC State intellectual property within the last three years. The top three companies receive funding that can be used for any business expense.
Scale
Wolfpack Investor Network
NC State’s Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN) is an angel investing platform that engages and leverages the power of the NC State alumni network. WIN matches NC State alumni investors with NC State startup companies to support growth and success.
Angel & VC Funding
The Research Triangle Park (RTP) and surrounding region has a variety of funding resources available to research-based startup companies, which includes angel investment and venture capital funding.