Resources

The state of North Carolina is home to more than 800,000 small businesses and Commerce is strongly committed to their success. Commerce serves as a one-stop resource for small businesses and start-up companies with big ideas. Many partners and allies support Commerce’s work in assisting North Carolina’s small businesses, but Commerce provides a centralized point of contact to assist them. Services include planning and feasibility assessment, licensing, individualized research-based products around change management, strategic performance and leadership development; help accessing and acquiring government contracts; and assistance in commercializing new technologies and accessing innovation research. Through marketing and outreach activities, Commerce reaches small business owners and those considering a start-up to offer services and support designed to ensure these businesses are afforded the best opportunity to Thrive in North Carolina.

IMAF-RTP is one of the Inception Micro Angel Funds and is a member-managed seed stage angel capital fund designed to capitalize on the growth in entrepreneurial activity and venture financing, primarily in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, greater North Carolina and in selective areas of Virginia and South Carolina.

The Office of Economic Development works with citizens, neighborhood groups, business and property owners, local commissions and organizations, and elected officials to revitalize and preserve Greenville’s Center City and surrounding neighborhoods.

ACA is a collective of accredited angel investors, North America’s most prolific early-stage investment class. The association is the largest angel professional development organization in the world. ACA provides an insider perspective that can help you make smart investment decisions.

ECU Technologies that are available for licensing

NCBC connects the company and university researchers; the funders and the small companies; the job seekers and job providers. We provide funding when few others do. We keep an eye on emerging biotech sectors. And we make sure North Carolina leads the way.

The Small Business Center (SBC) is dedicated to the training of potential and existing small business owners. Training sessions are offered as free seminars as well as customized individual business training events. The Small Business Center offers more than 125 free seminars each year on various business topics including: Financing, Management, Marketing, and Accounting/Record Keeping. The SBC also offers free, confidential one-on-one business consulting services to assist you in the daily operation of your business. These services can include: a Financial Analysis of Your Company, Market and Industry Research, Loan Packages, Business Plans, Marketing Plans, and Strategic Planning.

“The Pitt County Committee of 100, Inc. is a not-for-profit, charitable organization recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) corporation. Formed in 1995, the Committee was created to stimulate and provide a broader network of support for economic development throughout Pitt County. The Committee of 100 is a proactive organization that can provide insight and capital funding to help close development deals. The funds are obtained from membership dues and expertise comes from the diversity of its members, which include businesses, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, citizens, and other stakeholders interested in Pitt County’s economic
development future.”

CED is its network. A broad, dynamic array of entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners, service providers, academics and researchers feed the entrepreneurial success CED has fostered for more than three decades. Their stories are our stories. With their help, CED has become one of the most powerful networks for entrepreneurs in the US.

Discusses Intellectual Property and University Technology Transfer Processes

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center understands the importance of emerging entrepreneurial companies to the state’s biotechnology industry. Through the Business and Technology Development Program, the Center awards low-interest loans to promising emerging life science companies across the state. These loans are designed to help recipients meet meaningful research and commercial milestones.

NCBiotech research grant programs are designed to encourage innovation, support university infrastructure and help move technology toward commercialization. In addition, our grants fill in some critical funding gaps, stages where it is typically difficult to find funding.

The N.C. Community Development Initiative leads North Carolina’s collaborative community economic development effort, driving innovation, investment and action to create prosperous, sustainable communities.

The North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Project (NC LEAP) is a public service program of the North Carolina Bar Association to provide legal assistance to low wealth entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program is a joint venture launched by the City of Greenville and Greenville Utilities (the City’s public utilities) to provide minority and women-owned firms an equal opportunity to do business with the City and GUC. The MWBE program offers one-on-one mentoring to coach firms on how to best position themselves for success in government contracting. The MWBE Program also provides training opportunities on a variety of topics, including “How to Submit Responsive Bids,” “Certification Made Easy,” and “Understanding Local Preference.” In the Fall and Spring, the MWBE Program hosts events to directly connect firms with government purchasers and to provide marketing and promotion of MWBE firms to the larger Greenville community. Visit our website to search our directory of local, state, and federal government opportunities.

Our mission is to develop, promote and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 80 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

Entrepreneurs are North Carolina’s economic engine. If you’re thinking about starting a business in North Carolina, we salute you! We’re here to help you navigate the state requirements. Find all the information you need to get your startup started.