Incubators, Accelerators, and VC in North Carolina
A compiled list for reference and to share with someone
One of my internet friends—a connection on LinkedIn that I first cold-messaged and now, every few months we catch up—recently asked if I could recommend or share a list of the incubators, accelerators, and venture capital in North Carolina.
This is a useful list for others, and one that could be helpful as a reference—similar to books that have shaped my practice and tools I use for front-end web development.
What are these words?
The words for each of these types of organizations are big in the start-up ecosystem and various tech industries but are less used in the average majority’s daily jargon. While people I reference this list to will understand the words, I’ll briefly define them for the subscribers outside of the bubble.
Incubators
A start-up incubator provides long-term support, space, and resources to early-stage startups. In the same way a hen sitting on an egg, while it’s incubating, so is it for companies. They’re focused on nurturing an idea, getting it to a point where the idea can hatch into something new. Incubators can be very similar to co-working spaces, but with a more formalized program.
Alexandria and Alexandria LaunchLabs at Research Triangle Park, NC
Biolabs NC in Durham, NC
Center for Innovation & Entreprenuership in Wilmingon, NC
First Flight Venture Center based at Research Triangle Park, NC
They have multiple programs that are accelerators, but part of their Incubator role:Piedmont Food Processing Center in Hillsborough, NC
Tech Enterprise Center in Pitt County, NC
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Incubator in Asheville, NC
Gateway Research Park in Greensboro, NC
Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, NC
Innovate Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC
City Startup Labs in Charlotte, NC
American Underground in Durham, NC
DesignBox in Raleigh, NC
For students
49er Foundry in Charlotte, NC
1789 Hub in Chapel Hill, NC
The Foundry in Durham, NC
Center for Advanced Hindsight in Durham, NC
Accelerators
A start-up accelerator supports companies transition through specific stages of growth. Typically these are early stage companies that know—and can show—they’re onto something. The accelerator provides education, mentorship, financing, and community. These are fixed-term, 3–6 months, cohort-based, and mentorship driven, finishing in a grand finale called Demo Day or Presentation Day.
RevTech Labs in Charlotte, NC
NC IDEA based in Durham, NC
Collaborative Ventures in Charlotte, NC
New Ventures in Winston-Salem, NC
Joules Accelerator in Charlotte, NC
Launch Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC
Innovators Program in Raleigh, NC
The Velocity Business Accelerator in Winston-Salem, NC
EO Charlotte in Charlotte, NC
Start100 in Charlotte, NC
RIoT Accelerator Program in Raleigh, NC
Waypoint Accelerator in Asheville, NC
Launch Raleigh in Raleigh, NC
FYSO Accelerator in Durahm, NC
Council for Entrepreneurial Development at Research Triangle Park, NC
Venture capital
Venture capital, VC, is a form of private equity and how some start-ups get their financing. The basic concept is to make bets on many companies that are small now but have long-term growth and market potential later. They will typically invest for a return of a percentage of the company’s ownership, giving them stake in the company to support its growth, while also providing access to networks, expertise, and advice.
Venture Worx in Charlotte, NC
Southeast TechInventures in Durham, NC
Colopy Ventures in Durham, NC
Jurassic Capital in Durham, NC
Primordial Ventures in Durham, NC
PointSquared Ventures in Davidson, NC
SJF Ventures in Durham, NC
Broadtree Partners in Charlotte, NC
Union Grove Venture Partners in Chapel Hill, NC
Frontier Growth in Charlotte, NC
Pamlico Capital in Charlotte, NC
Bull City Venture Partners in Durham, NC
Cofounders Capital in Raleigh, NC
Hatteras Venture Partners in Durham, NC
Triangle Tweener Fund in Raleigh-Durham, NC
Front Porch Venture Partners in Raleigh-Durham, NC
Leyline Renewable Capital in Durham, NC
One Better Ventures in Raleigh, NC
Plenty of possible paths
As I compiled these lists, its clear its definitely not an exhaustive one—solely in these three categories of start-up growth and support. Similarly, there are many more paths towards finding company financing and community support: from local to federal grants, from co-working spaces to community development programs.
If there’s any I missed that should be added, let me know; happy to add and continue building this out.