Sometimes, a big idea is the easiest part of an entrepreneur’s journey. Finding the capital to fund it? That's when things can get tricky.
Enter our Funding Index, a comprehensive guide of local angels and venture capital and investment firms, designed to offer innovators an easier way to locate financial support that may work for them, right in their backyard (i.e., Greater Charlotte). We’ve highlighted different entities by type, below.
We’ll assemble a guide for local pitch competitions that provide funds for startups, as well as accelerators and incubators, in another roundup. Looking for investors outside of Charlotte? Be on the lookout for our "Outside the Hub" series, which will also cover resources in Winston-Salem, the Triangle, Charleston, S.C. and more.
Think we missed a pertinent firm? Let us know and we’ll update the list.
Angel Investors
- Charlotte Angel Fund: This group works with early stage "venture-scalable" entities both in Charlotte and the region beyond. "We are a large group of experienced, committed investors in early stage companies in a wide range of industries. Charlotte Angel Fund is one of North Carolina’s most active angel investor groups and represents Charlotte's largest source of capital for high aspiration startups."
VentureSouth Charlotte: VentureSouth Charlotte formed in late 2016 as a complement to the existing early stage investment scene in Charlotte.
Venture Capital
- Task Force X Capital: "We are a Veteran-led venture capital firm uniquely focused on investing in high performing, accomplished, and commercially-tested former military leaders building early stage technology (B2B) and technology enabled businesses."
- Start100: "Start100 provides funding, coaching, and mentoring for people like you. Accepted participants receive $50k in initial funding and access to follow-on funding."
- CFV Ventures: "CFV Ventures is a financial technology fund based in Charlotte, NC. We are passionate about working with early-stage startups primarily based in the United States."
- Aflac Ventures: Aflac Corporate Ventures partners with technology accelerators to create the agility required to quickly identify and invest in early-stage companies, helping them accelerate innovation across the insurance value chain, including digital solutions that enhance the customer experience.
- Cramer Mountain Growth Partners: Cramer Mountain Growth Partners is a Boutique Fund. We invest in a select number of businesses so we can amplify the value of the significant personal capital, time and relationships we bring to advantage the business.
- JB Fitzgerald Venture Capital: This entity specifically works with "small businesses with big ideas," JB Fitzgerald provides sales and marketing; admin and finance; and operations insights and services for all its clients. "No idea is too early for JBFVC," its website states.
Private Equity
- FrontierCapital: It invests in companies with a revenue of $10 million to $30 million that are B2B software and tech-enabled service companies. Established in 1999, Frontier invests anywhere between $15 to $75 million and takes minority or majority stake. "We invest in companies that leverage technology, information assets, or a unique process to deliver a value added solution to enterprise customers. This focus provides Frontier with a deeper understanding of both the challenges and opportunities unique to growing and building value in the business services sector.
Other Entities of Note:
- Greenlight Fund — Charlotte: "We search from coast to coast to bring the most promising, ground-breaking answers to some of Charlotte’s most challenging poverty-related issues. Organizations in our portfolio represent the best in their fields — in innovation, measurable results and ability to scale."
