final 1 2016 guide to charlottes entrepreneurial
TRANSCRIPT
2016 Guide to Charlotte’s
Entrepreneurial Community
Start: You are new to Charlotte’s Startup community or starting a business.
Start Up Help Resources- Business Link NC
Email - [email protected] Phone - 919-807-4280Website - Business Link NCFacebook - BLNC
Business Link North Carolina offers a central source for consultations, information and referrals… just the help you need to tap into all the State has to offer.
Start Up Help Resources- Charlotte Business Resources
Phone - 704-378-1300 Facebook - Charlotte ChamberWebsite - Charlotte Chamber Twitter - @CLTChamber
Charlotte Business Resources is a community-wide collaborative effort by a network of organizations committed to working together to save you time and money by providing relevant business resources & information.
Start Up Help Resources- SBTDC
Email - [email protected] Phone - 704-687-0440 Website - SBTDC LinkedIn - SBTDC
The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) has helped North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs since 1984. We provide management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses. Most of our services are free of charge, and all are confidential. By providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to build and grow successful businesses, the SBTDC positively impacts NC’s economy. Located on UNC-Charlotte’s campus.
Start Up Help Resources- SCORE
Phone - 704-344-6576 Website - SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.
Start Up Help Resources- ThriveNC
Phone - 704-547-5750 Website - ThriveNC Twitter - @Thrive_NC
ThriveNC.com is published by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state’s lead economic development agency. The department, headed by Secretary of Commerce Sharon Allred Decker, has a mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.
Start Up Help Resources- Charlotte Venture Launch
Name - Devin Collins Email - [email protected] - 704-250-5753 Website - Charlotte Venture Launch
The Charlotte Venture Launch guides founders through the customer discovery process modeled on proven best practices such as the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps. CVL is a multi-week, high intensity, focused effort for innovators and investors to determine if an idea is worth pursuing. With the help of Ventureprise, create your own compelling business model, vet out opportunity assessments and find the best and ready customers.
Coworking- C3 Labs
Email - [email protected] - C3 LabsTwitter - @C3lab_charlotteFacebook - C3 Labs
C3Lab is Charlotte’s new creative hub located in the SouthEnd District for designers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists and other creative types. Combining the best features of a home office, coffee shop, business space, community center, & studio shop. This vibrant, dynamic space encourages connection and communication to spark creative thoughts and ideas.
Coworking- Industry Coworking
Name - Tyler Ford Email - [email protected]
Phone - 704-692-1193 Website - Industry Coworking
Twitter - @IndustryCoworking Facebook - Industry Coworking
Industry is a shared office environment designed for creatives, technology professionals, freelancers, small businesses and other independent workers. Our space offers both private offices as well as flexible workspaces for people to get out of their home office or the coffee shop, and plug into a dynamic community of people.
Coworking- Ventureprise
Name - Devin Collins Email - [email protected] - Ventureprise Twitter - @Ventureprise1 Phone - 704-687-0900
Ventureprise is a broad-based hands-on strategic effort to help startups and early stage companies row.
Growth Help Resources- The Charlotte Entrepreneurial Alliance
Email - [email protected]
The Charlotte Entrepreneurial Alliance is a collection of entrepreneurs, investors, advocates, city leaders and community leaders who pursue the growth of high-growth entrepreneurship in the Charlotte region.
Growth Help Resources- Big Council
Name - Terry Cox Website - Big CouncilEmail - [email protected] Twitter - @bigcouncilPhone - 704-927-8064
Business Innovation Growth Council (Big Council) is a non-profit member based organization to support high growth, fast growth entrepreneurial companies by providing best practices for fast growth, peer to peer learning, and connectivity and resources for successful growth.
Growth Help Resources- Entrepreneur Organization
Twitter - EO Charlotte Facebook - EO Charlotte
The Charlotte chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, EO Charlotte, and part of an amazing EO community of more than 8,000 entrepreneurs worldwide, operating 121 chapters in more than 40 countries around the globe all of whom run companies that exceed $1 Million in revenue. Entrepreneurs’ Organization members come from all walks of life, and member companies span a huge range of businesses.
Growth Help Resources- Blackstone EN
Name- Sheryl Waddell Email - [email protected] - 610-573-3211 Website - Blackstone ENTwitter - @BlackstoneNC
Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network help identify marketable innovations out of area universities and regional startups with the greatest potential to become high-growth companies
Growth Help Resources- Queen City Forward
Name - Charles Thomas Email - [email protected] - 704-975-5384 Website - Queen City ForwardTwitter - @QCForward Facebook - Queen City Forward
The mission is to unleash the potential of high-growth, high impact social entrepreneurs in Charlotte to create sustained economic and social impact that spurs economic development, improves the lives of citizens, and drives a new model of sustainable growth.
Growth Help Resources- HQ Charlotte at Packard Place
Email- [email protected] - hq.community Twitter - @HQ_CommunityFacebook - HQ Community
HQ Charlotte at Packard Place is the hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Charlotte and state-wide across the Carolinas’. Our mission is to foster inclusive communities of entrepreneurs who create lasting economic and social impact.
Grow: You have an idea and you believe it’s a valid startup idea.
Accelerators and Incubators- CLT Joules
Name - Bob Irving Email - [email protected] - CLT Joules Twitter - @CLTJoules
CLT Joules is an initiative to promote energy innovation and startups among the entrepreneurial community in Charlotte. With the establishment of CLT Joules as Charlotte’s first business community for energy, early stage energy companies have a community where they can learn, accelerate growth, and connect to the big players in the energy ecosystem of Charlotte.
Accelerators and Incubators- The City Startup Labs
Contact - Henry Rock Email - [email protected] - 704-807-3000 Facebook - City Startup Labs Website - City Startup Labs Twitter - @CityStartupLabs
The City Startup Labs ~ Entrepreneurs Academy conducts a 15-week boot camp where young adult African American men learn how to research, plan, launch and operate their own ventures.
Accelerators and Incubators- QC FinTech
Website - QC FinTechTwitter - @PackardPlaceCLTFacebook - Packard Place
3 month boot-camp style program focused on identifying and accelerating growth of early-stage companies focused on driving disruptive and innovative emerging technologies. The program is designed to bring together building blocks needed to foster and accelerate growth including mentorship, access to capital, and guidance on industry trends and innovation needs of leading companies.
Accelerators and Incubators- Impact3
Name - Tori Karlek, Community Manger Email - [email protected] - 704-975-5384 Website - Impact3Twitter - @QCForward Facebook - Queen City Forward
Impact3 is a social innovation accelerator dedicated to launching and scaling high-impact, high-growth startups that have a social mission as part of their core value.
Accelerators and Incubators- Impact U
Name - Tori Karlek, Community Manger Email - [email protected] - 704-975-5384 Website - Impact3Twitter - @QCForward Facebook - Queen City Forward
ImpactU is an accelerator program for aspiring college-age entrepreneurs seeking to launch or scale an innovative startup.
Education Resources- CPCC SBC
Phone - 704-330-6736 Website - CPPC SBCTwitter - @CPCC Facebook - CPCC-SBC
The Small Business Center at CPCC supports those seeking to launch or grow a business by providing free and affordable tuition-based training, no cost counseling and an open-access business resource library.
Education Resources- Davidson College IE
Website - Davidson College IE Twitter - @DavidsonEntreFacebook - Davidson College
A campus-wide collaborative project, the Entrepreneurship Initiative is designed to inspire, connect, and support an engaged community of entrepreneurs.
Education Resources- Johnson C Smith U.
Email - [email protected] Phone - 704-378-1000 Facebook - JCSUWebsite - Johnson C Smith University Twitter - @JCSUniveristy
We are a private liberal arts university with proud HBCU traditions and a future aimed at diversity. We enroll approximately 1,600 highly talented and motivated students from various backgrounds. Our faculty and staff members are equally as unique coming from all over the world
Education Resources- Queens University
Phone - 704-337-2200 Website - Queens UniversityTwitter - @Quens Univ Facebook - Queens University
What began as a small college for women in 1857 has evolved into a co-ed, comprehensive, master’s-level university with a commitment to liberal arts and professional studies. Today, Queens University of Charlotte serves approximately 2,7000 undergraduate and graduate students through its six accredited schools.
Education Resources- UNC - Charlotte
Email - [email protected] Phone - 704-687-8622Website - UNC-Charlotte Twitter- @UNCCharlotteFacebook - UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is Charlotte’s urban research university. UNCC is among the fastest growing universities in the UNC System.
Technology Organizations- CRTEC
Email - [email protected] Website - CRTEC
Facebook- CRTEC Twitter - @CRTECUS
Charlotte Regional Technology Executives Council (CRTEC) is an organization dedicated to the continuous education for its members and the economic development of technology companies in the Charlotte region. The council resources are primarily volunteers comprised of executive level technology leaders in this region. CRTEC is recognized as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization.
Technology Organizations- NCTA
Website - NCTA Twitter - @NCTA Facebook - NCTA
North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) is the statewide membership association for the tech sector. Because technology is integral to any enterprise regardless of size or function, NCTA membership is open to all companies, organizations and institutions. NCTA serves organizations and their people through events, advocacy, virtual networks and resources.
Major Tech + Community Events- The Iron Yard
Email - [email protected] Website- The Iron YardAddress: 222 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone - 828-705-1005
The Iron yard exists to create real, lasting change for people, companies and communities through technology education. Our resources provide a solution at the juncture of supply, demand, business and a broken education system. We are committed to training the highest-quality technology professionals in the world, both in skill and in character.
Technology Organizations- Tech Talent South
Website - Tech Talent SouthFacebook - Tech Talent SouthTwitter - @TechTalentSouth
Tech Talent South is a national organization with many sites in Georgia and North Carolina that delivers web development programming to participants.
Finance: You need funding beyond your initial customers and personal savings
Investment Sources- Bull City Venture Partners
Name - Jason Caplan Email - [email protected] - BCVP Twitter - @BCVP
Bull City Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing $250k to $2 million in Software and Internet Companies. Our focus is on the very best entrepreneurs.
Investment Sources- Charlotte Angel Fund
Name - Greg Brown - Cardinal Finance Email - [email protected] - 980-307-0754 Website - Charlotte Angel Fund
Charlotte Angel Fund is a member-driven angel investment fund designed to make investments in early stage high growth companies. Emphasis will be placed upon North Carolina companies, particularly based in the Charlotte area.
Investment Sources- Idea Fund Partners
Email - [email protected] Phone - 919-808-4000Website - Idea Fund Partners Twitter - @IdeaFundFacebook - Idea Fund Partners
IDEA Fund Partners is one of the most active seed and early stage venture investors in NC and throughout the Southeast. We typically provide the first institutional money for the companies in which we invest. We like to make small initial investments and set aside plenty of follow-on capital for future rounds.
Investment Sources- Innovation Fund NC
Name - Tony Mifsud Email - [email protected] - 828-327-7000 Website - Innovation Fund NC
A statewide initiative, Innovation Fund North Carolina, is directed by Catawba Valley Community College engaging in a deliberate network of higher education institutions, private and public incubators and accelerators, private investors, and private and public economic development organizations.
Investment Sources- NC IDEA
Email - [email protected] Phone - 919-941-5600Website - NC IDEA
NC IDEA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created to serve as a catalyst for young, high-growth, technology companies in North Carolina. We help these innovative compaies mainly by providing early financing in the form of grants.
Business Competitions- Charlotte Venture Challenge
Name - Devin Collins Email - [email protected] Facebook - Charlotte Venture Challenge Phone - 704-250-5753 Twitter - @CLTVC Website - Charlotte Venture Challenge
The Charlotte Venture Challenge is a start-up competition for early-stage high growth companies. The competition has a history of producing and showcasing some of the Southeast’s most successful early-stage companies. In 2012, 117 start-up companies entered the competition for the change to win over $113,000 in prize money.
Business Competitions- Seed 20
Name - Susan Daniel Phone - 704-442-7060 Website - Seed20Twitter - @SEED20CLT Facebook - Seed20
In an effort to support social entrepreneurs tackling some of the area’s toughest problems and to contribute to the innovative, vibrant culture in the Charlotte region, Social Venture Partners has developed the annual SEED 20 program. We discover, spotlight, and support the Charlotte’s region’s inspiring change-makers
Collaborate: Get involved with the local entrepreneurial conversation
Online News Resources- Charlotte Business Journal
Website - Charlotte Business Journal Twitter - @CBJBankNewsFacebook - Charlotte Business Journal
The Charlotte Business Journal is the region’s leading source of business news and information.
Online News Resources- The Charlotte Observer
Website - The Charlotte Observer Twitter - @theObserverFacebook - The Charlotte Observer
CharlotteObserver.com originally launched as Charlotte.com in 1996, and today is the Carolinas’ most visited news and information website. We are the online version of The Charlotte Observer, sharing content with McClatchy affiliates and our interactive partner WCNC.com.
Online News Resources- Charlotte Agenda
Name - Ted Williams Email - [email protected] @CharlotteAgenda
Charlotte Agenda exists to make Charlotte the smartest, most human city in the world. We publish 5-10 stories a day on a website and send a handcrafted newsletter each morning at 6:30am. We also do original reporting straight to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat.
Major Tech + Community Events- Pitch Breakfast
Contact - Jim Van Fleet Email - [email protected] - Start Charlotte Twitter - @PitchBreakfast
Your best opportunities can come when you least expect it. Will you be ready? THE Pitch Practice event for startups and entrepreneurs.
Major Tech + Community Events- Charlotte Startup Weekend
Email - [email protected] Website - Charlotte Startup WeekendTwitter - @StartupWkndCLT Facebook - Charlotte Startup Weekend
Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.
Major Tech + Community Events- Blend Conference
Name - Bermon Painter Email - [email protected] - Blend Conference Twitter- @BlendConf Facebook - Blend Conference
A generalist conference featuring 50 diverse speakers sharing ideas and conversations about user experience, design, and web development.
Major Tech + Community Events- Ignite Charlotte
Email - [email protected] Phone - 980-202-3310Website - Ignite Charlotte Twitter - @IgniteCharlotteFacebook - Ignite Charlotte
“Enlighten us, but make it quick” is the mantra and key to Ignite talks. This truly fun, exciting and unique presentation format brings together community members involved in technology, arts, communications, education, non-profit, the government sector, and more.
Major Tech + Community Events- Startup Grind
Name - Jeff Brokaw Website - Startup Grind
A global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs.
Major Tech + Community Events- TEDxCharlotte
Email - [email protected] Website - TEDxCharlotteTwitter - @TEDxCharlotte Facebook - TEDxCharlotte
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxCharlotte, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxCharlotte event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
Development Providers- Binary Ventures
Contact - Contact Website - Binary Ventures Facebook - Binary Ventures
Binary Ventures’ broad range of services--together with our strong emphasis on creativity, technological innovation and sound business consultation--helps our clients navigate a daunting digital marketplace and ultimately reach their dream destination.
Development Providers- Edison Nation
Contact - [email protected] Website - Edison NationFacebook - Edison Nation Twitter - Edison Nation
Our targeted approach to product development and licensing sets us apart from everybody else. Our dedicated teams use proven strategies to commercialize your product idea whether it’s the next big consumer trend, the season’s top “As Seen on TV” hit or a groundbreaking medical device.
Development Providers- RevTech Labs
Website - RevTech Labs Facebook - Packard PlaceTwitter - @PackardPlaceCLT
The three-month program focuses on early-stage mobile, software and web companies. RevTech Labs provides free work space, mentorship and programming all geared toward revolutionary technology startups.