Looking to start an innovation-based business? Looking for advice or a mentor? The opportunity to network with like-minded people? Wondering where to turn for funding?
As Triad Business Journal launches Triad Inno — a platform dedicated to helping innovators connect and grow their businesses — we've put together a guide to the Triad's ecosystem. While not all of these organizations are solely devoted to innovator entrepreneurs, each supports the ecosystem in the Triad that can help startups get established and grow, or that can help innovators drive change within established companies and industries.
Places to start and grow
ACCESS Center for Equity and Success: First established as an initiative of Agile City Winston-Salem and Piedmont Business Capital, the independent nonprofit offers free services (programs, certification trainings, coaching) to minority and women business owners
Agile City Winston-Salem: An innovation consultancy and ecosystem builder in Winston-Salem
Center for Creative Economy: Works to launch and accelerate businesses, provides programming, mentorship and connections
East Greensboro NOW: Provides consulting, advising and programming to minority entrepreneurs
Flywheel: Offers co-working space, startup acceleration and programming, as well as the New Ventures accelerator program
Greensboro Business League: Works to develop and promote African-American-owned businesses in Greensboro
High Point Equity Project: Launching in summer 2021, it will work to support minority-owned businesses in High Point through non-traditional financing, mentorship and coaching
HUSTLE Winston-Salem: Works with entrepreneurs and the community to advocate for people of color, women and marginalized neighborhoods in the entrepreneurship sphere
Innovation Quarter: Located in former Reynolds American buildings in Winston-Salem, Innovation Quarter is home to restaurants, retail, apartments, office space and academic and research facilities.
Launch Greensboro: Part of the Greensboro Chamber, provides mentoring services, access to capital, including through the First Launch Capital Fund
NC Biotech Center: Works to accelerate life sciences companies in North Carolina by offering resources for funding and growing businesses
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship: Offers office space, coaching and resources for small businesses
SCORE NC Piedmont Triad: Volunteers provide knowledge and expertise to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses
The Forge: A community makerspace in Greensboro that provides access to classes, tools and equipment in various subjects to members
The Generator — Congdon Yards: In partnership with SCM Woodworking Technology, provides access to woodworking machinery for furniture designers and makers, interior designers and architects and furniture companies
Transform GSO: Offers affordable co-working space to entrepreneurs
Venture Asheboro: Provides work space, business coaching for entrepreneurs
Winston Starts: Provides resources, office space, mentoring, networking, connections to funding options to startups
Winston-Salem Mixxer: A community makerspace for technology and fabrication, providing access to space and equipment
Need help with funding?
Black Investments in Greensboro (BIG) Equity Fund: An initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro providing an endowment initially funded by Black donors that invests in small businesses, among other areas of focus
First Launch Capital Fund: Invests in startups and early stage companies, primarily tech companies located in the Triad.
Greensboro Community Development Fund: A community loan fund that provides loans, consulting and programs for entrepreneurs
Piedmont Business Capital: Supports women- and minority-owned businesses in accessing funding
Venture Winston Grants: Provides $50,000 grant to a cohort of early-stage startups in nutrition and agriculture technology, aviation and aerospace and health and well-being. Also provides acceleration and incubation services and networking connections.
VentureSouth Piedmont: An angel investor group, investing in early-stage companies
Small Business Centers & Chamber support
Alamance Chamber
Alamance Community College Small Business Center
Business High Point
Davidson Campus SBC, in the Finch Building
Davidson-Davie Community College Small Business Center
Elon University Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Forsyth Tech Small Business Center
Greater Greensboro Black Chamber of Commerce
Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Guilford Tech Small Business Center
High Point University Belk Entrepreneurship Center
LaunchUNCG
Media + Emerging Technology Lab at UNCSA's School of Filmmaking
NC Entrepreneurship Center at UNCG
NC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Randolph Community College Small Business Center
Randolph Community College Archdale Center
Reidsville Meets Small Business!
Rockingham Community College Small Business Center
SBTDC at N.C. A&T
Triad Local First
Think your organization belongs on this list? Reach out to innovation reporter Lillian Johnson at ljohnson@bizjournals.com to introduce yourself and share some information about your organization and its mission.
