For the past year, WRAL TechWire has been making weekly updates to our exclusive Triangle Startup Guide—ensuring that the resource-packed guide is as up-to-date as possible.
The guide has sections for VC/angel funding, networking groups, grants and competitions, accelerators and mentorship programs, incubators, and more resources.
Today, we’re highlighting the Competitions, Grants & Other Funding Sources section, which has expanded substantially since the guide launched two years ago.
The “Competitions, Grants and Other Funding Sources” section of WRAL TechWire’s Triangle Startup Guide offers resources for startups seeking funding and exposure beyond traditional seed rounds.
Even in the coronavirus pandemic, several new grants and competitions have launched to help early-stage startups launch and grow. Most recently, we added the One NC Small Business Program, which returned this year after a brief hiatus. This state program offers grant-matching to North Carolina startups who have received Phase I awards from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal programs.
Another recent addition to the list is NC IDEA’s Black Entrepreneurship Council ECOSYSTEM Grant, which provides up to $500,000 for organizations that assist Black entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. The program launched earlier this year, and applications for the first round of grants closed last week.
This past week, we added two timely programs for local startups to take advantage of:
We added Durham SOUP, an upcoming pitch competition for early-stage entrepreneurs in the Bull City. There are only two rules: Ideas must incorporate the Durham community and the presenters can’t use technology to pitch. The winner receives all of the proceeds from the event. Durham SOUP 2020 will be held via Zoom on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
https://wraltechwire.com/event/durham-soup-november-2020/
We also added the Launch Microgrant Fund, a new grant program from local startup accelerator Launch Chapel Hill. The Launch Microgrant provides $1,000 in equity-free funding to Launch Chapel Hill alumni companies at any stage. Applications are open now. Alumni companies have until Nov. 29 to apply.
https://wraltechwire.com/event/application-deadline-launch-microgrant-fund/
If we missed a resource that you think we should add to the Triangle Startup Guide, please don’t hesitate to submit it for inclusion. You can email me directly, tweet me @shannoncuthrell or use this contact form.
