NC IDEA SEED Grant 2026

About

An equity-free grant program providing $50,000 to support innovative startups headquartered in North Carolina, helping them scale their business through mentorship and access to valuable resources.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  $50,000 grant to support business activities
• 🎓Mentorship Program
  Mentorship and guidance provided
• 🌐Network Access
  Access to NC IDEA staff for feedback on pitches and funding opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

• Companies must be headquartered in North Carolina and conduct a majority of operations there
• Companies must have proprietary intellectual property or a competitive advantage
• Companies must demonstrate proof of concept and be prepared to leverage the grant to scale the business

Participation Commitments

• Selected companies must maintain operations in North Carolina for at least 12 months after the grant
• Companies must report on progress before each tranche of funding is released
• Companies must apply to either MICRO or SEED grant, not both

Target Region

North Carolina

Target Sector

All sectors