Clarify Your Funding Roadmap
This video series guides innovators through the complex landscape of startup financing. Across several sessions, viewers learn to identify and compare different funding mechanisms—from non-dilutive grants to loans and equity investments—and discover which options best fit their business stage and goals. The series also highlights key points of contact and application insights, while sharing real-world lessons from successful founders and funding recipients.
This video provides an introductory overview of SBIR/STTR and covers updates to SBIR/STTR, including the 2025 re-authorization and program modifications. Additionally, it delves into the review criteria essential for securing funding through this program. (34 min)
In this informative video, Chris Schmidt, grants manager for the Department of Commerce’s One NC Small Business Program, breaks down how this statewide initiative complements the federal SBIR/STTR programs. She explains the program’s two key components—Incentives and Matching—and how each supports North Carolina innovators pursuing federal research grants. With more than $41 million awarded across the state to date, the program plays a major role in strengthening early-stage technology development. Viewers gain a clear understanding of basic eligibility requirements, how the state and federal programs work together, and additional insights to help entrepreneurs make the most of these funding opportunities. (17 min)
This video explores how NC Innovation helps bridge a critical gap in the commercialization journey by connecting university faculty researchers with North Carolina businesses. Viewers learn how the program’s grants provide essential support between early-stage state and federal funding and later private-sector investment, enabling promising technologies to advance more quickly toward market readiness. (17 min)
This video highlights the grant programs offered by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, a nonprofit technology-based economic development agency supporting life sciences innovation across the state. It explains how their funding helps advance university research and pre-commercialization technology development, bridging the gap between early discovery and market potential. Three key grants are featured: the Translational Research Grant (TRG) for moving promising ideas toward commercial application, the Flash Grant for early, high-risk exploratory work, and the Innovation Impact Grant (IIG) for accelerating technologies with clear potential impact. (13 min)
This video introduces the grant programs offered by NC IDEA, which provide non-dilutive funding to help North Carolina founders grow early-stage, high-potential companies. Viewers learn the key differences between the organization’s two flagship awards—the $10,000 Micro Grant, designed to help entrepreneurs validate and refine their ideas, and the $50,000 Seed Grant, aimed at accelerating companies ready for meaningful early traction. The video breaks down what each grant supports and who they’re best suited for. (13 min)
This video provides an overview of the NC Biotechnology Center’s biotech-focused loan programs, designed to help life science companies grow and advance their technologies. Viewers learn about the organization’s history and statewide impact, then dive into its two key financing options: the Small Business Research Loan (SRL), which supports early-stage companies working to validate and develop their innovations, and the Strategic Growth Loan (SGL), aimed at helping more established biotech firms scale and reach critical milestones. (12 min)
In this inspiring panel discussion, a group of entrepreneurs share their firsthand experiences navigating the grant application journey—from the initial proposal to project execution. They open up about the key challenges they faced, the collaboration and support that proved invaluable during proposal development, and the strategies that led to successful applications. (49 min)
Learn how to level up your financial knowledge, navigate the equity investment process, and see your business through an investor’s eyes. Gain the tools and mindset you need to build value, meet expectations, and position your business for lasting success. (50 min)
This engaging panel discussion explores the sources and stages of equity funding, offering real-world insights from experienced funders and investors. The conversation sheds light on what investors look for in founders, the key criteria that influence their decisions, and common misconceptions about early-stage funding. Panelists share their perspectives on navigating the fundraising journey and offer their most important advice for entrepreneurs preparing for their first round of investment. (29 min)
In this panel conversation, entrepreneurs from a health-tech, social media, and bio-tech startup share how they sized and scaled their first pre-seed funding, offering a grounded look at what early capital raising really takes. They discuss how investor demands have shifted in recent years, reveal the do’s and don’ts of early-stage pitching, and explain the approaches that helped them identify and connect with the right investors. The video wraps with a brief overview of how the SBTDC supports founders on their funding journey, giving viewers both inspiration and practical next steps. (28 min)
