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Office of Research and Innovation
NC State Office of Research Commercialization

Daugherty Endowment Business Plan Competition

The Daugherty Endowment Fund bridges pure research and product commercialization and provides a competitive opportunity to secure startup funding every year at NC State.

About

Company receiving award on stage

The Daugherty Endowment track of the NC State VenturePack Challenge allows startup companies who have licensed NC State intellectual property in the previous three years the opportunity to showcase and compete for prize money in a business plan competition.

A two-page executive summary is required for the first round of the competition, with finalists notified to write a five-page business plan for submission if they are selected to move forward to the second round.

Award Amounts

  • 1st Place: $25,000
  • 2nd Place: $15,000
  • 3rd Place: $10,000

Eligibility

Only NC State startup companies that have licensed NC State-owned intellectual property within the last three years are eligible to apply. Licenses must be current and active. Previous winners are also not eligible to reapply.

Applications for the current award cycle are due by
11:59 PM on February 3rd, 2025.

Apply Now!

Submit your two page summary for the current funding cycle

Apply Here

Competition Overview

  1. Ventures will submit full contact information and a two page Executive Summary for the first round and Daugherty Endowment Advisory Board members will review and score applications. Executive Summary Guidance can be found here.
    • Submit your executive summary here.
  2. The top five highest scoring ventures will move to the final round.
  3. Ventures competing in the final round will be required to submit a 5 page business plan, a 10 minute pitch video and attend a pitch day where each venture will give a 5 minute presentation followed by a 15 minute Q&A period.
  4. Three awardees will be selected by the Executive Board for funding.
  5. Winners will be announced at the annual NC State eGames competition award ceremony.
  6. Winners are required to complete a short status report update in the year following their win.

Questions?

Contact Amy Lubas, aelubas@ncsu.edu