Seed

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.

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.

ECU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED) delivers and supports regional transformation by fostering community enhancement & regional development, a regional innovation workforce, cluster-based economic development, and the proliferation of innovation, entrepreneurship and small business.

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.

Connect entrepreneurs with mentors

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.

Established in 2012, SpringBoardNC was created to foster and support entrepreneurship in the I-95 / Hwy 64 Region of Eastern North Carolina, by serving as a resource hub to individuals looking to start or grow their business

We’re well known for making connections that create biotech jobs statewide. But we also offer two popular funding programs to make sure people with big ideas mix and mingle.

Our event sponsorships, for example, provide up to $3,000 to help bring biotech people together within North Carolina.

Meanwhile, our meeting grants provide non-profits up to $10,000 to help them bring major life science meetings to the state. Bringing in thought leaders from across the U.S. and around the globe puts a great spotlight on North Carolina and its life science leadership.

As a component unit of Pitt County government, the Pitt County Development Commission recruits new industry and supports existing industry in Pitt County. Its mission is to promote job growth, diversify the County’s economy, and expand the local tax base. The Commission maintains a website which includes extensive information on doing business in Pitt County including a free listing of available industrial and major office buildings and sites. To help fulfill its mission, the Commission works closely with many partners including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, local municipalities and Chambers of Commerce, East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, and Vidant Health.

Commercial lending office

The N.C. Small Business Credit Initiative is helping make capital available for business startups and expansions across the state.

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.

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 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.

NC IDEA serves as a catalyst for young, high-growth, technology companies in North Carolina. We help these innovative companies mainly by providing early financing in the form of grants. NC IDEA knows that money alone does not drive success. The management team at NC IDEA understands the needs of startups. The staff at NC IDEA has experience in building and advising young companies and is available as a resource for those companies that are awarded one of our grants.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) has helped North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs since 1984. We provide management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses.

East Carolina University’s Operation Reentry North Carolina (ORNC) is a national research support organization developing novel technologies and approaches that address the resiliency, rehabilitation and reintegration concerns of our nation’s service members, veterans, their families, as well as the civilian and military healthcare providers who care for them.

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 Institute is a nonprofit management consulting and services firm focused on business diversity. We are trusted advisors to businesses large and small, government agencies, policymakers and organizations that understand the key role diversity plays in ensuring business and economic success.Our client services include customized one-on-one assistance, training, knowledge, networks and solutions that create diverse, globally competitive companies.We are a leading voice and constant advocate for public policies and business practices that promote marketplace diversity.