NC IDEA

?? Scientists, researchers, and early-stage founders—your journey from ???????? to ???????????????????? to ???????????? starts here! Join us ?????????? ????-????, ????????, at Winston Starts for Founders' Journey 2025, an exclusive event designed to help innovators turn groundbreaking research into thriving startups. Gain firsthand insights from experienced entrepreneurs and startup executives who have successfully launched and scaled their companies. Thanks to support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), this event is offered at ???? ????????—?????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????, so secure your spot now! Event Highlights: ?? Blueprint & Whiteboard Sessions – Hands-on workshops to refine your business concept ?? CEO Fireside Chat – Learn from startup leaders who have built and scaled successful companies (Virtual option available!) ?? Exclusive Networking – Connect with investors, industry experts, and partners ready to fuel your journey This is more than a conference—it’s a movement to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the Carolina Core. If you’re ready to take the next step in transforming your idea into a venture-backed startup, this is your chance. ?? Spots are filling fast—register today! https://lnkd.in/epSMqFtF #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #FoundersJourney2025 #RegenerativeMedicine #RMtechnologies

The more rule-bound an organization is, the less likely its people are to innovate.

Applications are still OPEN for The Launch Place's?10th Annual IdeaFest! If you are an #entrepreneur or have an original business idea, now is the time to pitch it to seasoned investors and industry?pros for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prize money.?Learn more about IdeaFest and apply to pitch. The deadline is March 9th!?? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ek-xyzck #IdeaFest #startup #entrepreneur #pitchcompetition

?????? ?????????????????? ????????????????! ?????? The annual IdeaFest Pitch application deadline has been extended to March 9th! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ek-xyzck #NCecosystem #NCIDEA

We’re closing out #BlackHistoryMonth with our last #FounderFriday of February! Meet Dr. Sonja Ebron, CEO and Co-Founder of Courtroom5. An NC IDEA #SEED ($50K) and NC BEC GROWTH grantee—and a member of the NC IDEA Board—Dr. Ebron brings a powerful perspective to the intersection of #technology, #justice, and #entrepreneurship. Courtroom5 equips self-represented litigants with the resources they need to navigate the U.S. civil court system. Legal Automation for People in Court Without a Lawyer. ??? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MBIVZs Listen to Ep. 4 of ???????????????????????? featuring Dr. Ebron: https://bit.ly/3QBi9UJ #NCIDEA #FounderFriday #BlackHistoryMonth

Honored to be featured in NC IDEA’s Where Are They Now? series! ?? Reflecting on my journey with SeaChange Technologies, I’m grateful for the support of NC IDEA, whose early investment helped us take critical steps toward scaling our water treatment innovations. The entrepreneurial path is never a straight line, but having a strong ecosystem of mentors, investors, and peers makes all the difference. Now, as an Entrepreneur in Residence at UNC Charlotte, I’m excited to be on the other side of the table—coaching and enabling new startups as they navigate their own paths from idea to commercialization. Seeing groundbreaking technologies take shape and become real businesses is what drives me every day. Big thanks to Thom Ruhe and the NC IDEA Foundation for this opportunity to share my story and for their ongoing commitment to building a thriving innovation ecosystem in North Carolina. #Entrepreneurship, #Innovation, #Startups #sustainability #commercialization, #EIR

Thrilled to hear our CEO, Anne Wiper featured on Ecosysteming ?? ???? with host Thom Ruhe of NC IDEA to discuss her amazing career journey, her extensive product and textiles innovation expertise, and the unique value The Textile Engine: NSF Regional Innovation Engine is driving across our textile sector! ?? ?? Shout outs to The Industrial Commons leaders Sara Chester Molly Hemstreet Melissa Sharp for their grounding work. ?? https://lnkd.in/gbhc-zmM #NCIDEA #ecosysteming #Podcast #TextileInnovation #CircularEconomy #RuralInnovation #NCTextiles #Entrepreneurship

Thanks for the opportunity to share the work we are building with the Textile Engine! For all my friends out there who are wondering what I am actually doing this is a great overview of the Engine work. Thom Ruhe Melissa Sharp Material Return, LLC Alicia Chin Smartwool Erwin Gianchandani Stephanie Brady Jeannie Renne-Malone, LEED AP, ENV SP, GGP Elliott Bouillion Molly Hemstreet Galen Goldscheitter Graham Goldscheitter Diana Kamau Elizabeth Patterson Paige Fink Sue Jesch Dan St. Louis John Stull sarah seifert Natalie Ooi Joel Hartter, Ph.D. Jean-Luc Diard

Please join us on March 20th for the annual Winston Starts Investor Forum. 14 founders will be pitching to investors from across North Carolina. The event is open to the public. Come see what is going on with early-stage startup companies in Winston Salem! Learn more and register here https://lnkd.in/ezFZdd7d Greater Winston-Salem Inc. Center for Creative Leadership VisionToVenture.org Mark Owens Dan Cohen, Ph.D. Isaac Perry Karen Barnes Peter Marsh Jill Atherton, CEcD W Michael Buckovich Kami Leslie NC IDEA Launch Greensboro Barbara West

Hey, we know her! ?? If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the latest issue of The Download from our friends at GrepBeat, featuring our very own Senior Director of Marketing, Andrea Cook! Discover fun facts about Andrea, her favorite coffee spots in the Triangle, and what’s next for the Foundation. Read it here: https://bit.ly/4kn64QH #NCIDEA #Team