NC IDEA

05/29/2026

Cue the Summer Playlist 🎶🎙️

To celebrate the 40th episode of #𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, we’re revisiting six standout conversations from the past year and a half that explore equitable and economic development across . 🎧

NC IDEA’s 8th Annual is heading to the beach from Nov. 12-13, bringing entrepreneurial leaders and ecosystem champions together for two days of connection and momentum! 🏖️

Episode 40 of #𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 features Amy Dunlap, founder and CEO of Stemz, a Winston-Salem based logistics and technology company helping rebuild America’s flower industry. 🌻

Your latest NC IDEA newsletter is here: https://bit.ly/3PPOlXq

05/28/2026

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 2025 NC IDEA ($10K) grantee Jeff Stringer and Srihari Chari of Real OB, based here in the Triangle.

Real OB develops and implements -enabled ultrasound software that enables frontline providers to perform accurate obstetric assessments at the point of care. Their technology expands access to high-quality prenatal imaging by integrating portable ultrasound devices with automated interpretation, supporting deployment in rural, resource-limited, and underserved communities.

With support from ’s entrepreneurial ecosystem (including NC IDEA + NCInnovation), companies like Real OB have the potential to make a tremendous social and economic impact across our state.

Together, we’re making the best state in the nation to start and grow a company! 👏👏👏

05/28/2026

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Episode 40 of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 features Amy Dunlap, CEO and Co-founder of Stemz, a Winston-Salem logistics and technology company connecting U.S. flower farmers with floral creatives.

Host Thom Ruhe talks with Amy about Stemz’s rapid growth, her founder journey, and how NC IDEA has supported her along the way, from to ($10K), ($50K), and a Rural Impact Grant ($20K).

For founders looking to better understand how to tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this episode is for 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
🎥Watch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. 🎤

Winston Starts

05/27/2026

Real growth creates opportunities for everyone. 🌼

Episode 40 of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 features Amy Dunlap, CEO and Co-founder of Stemz, a Winston-Salem logistics and technology company connecting U.S. flower farmers with floral creatives.

Host Thom Ruhe talks with Amy about Stemz’s rapid growth, her founder journey, and how NC IDEA has supported her along the way, from to ($10K), ($50K), and a Rural Impact Grant ($20K).

For founders looking to better understand how to tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this episode is for 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
🎥Watch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. 🎤

Winston Starts

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

DURHAM, NC – May 14, 2026 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, announced today that the organization has awarded a total of $350,000 in grants to seven North Carolina startups. Since its inception in 2006, th...

05/26/2026

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 NC IDEA ($50K) Finalists! 🎉

These companies are advancing economic development across with ideas that spark growth, create jobs, and strengthen communities throughout our state.

We look forward to seeing them pitch on May 8 to a panel of distinguished leaders.

Best of luck to all the finalists and stay tuned to our socials on May 14 when we announce the winners!

05/26/2026

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? 🌻

Episode 40 of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 features Amy Dunlap, CEO and Co-founder of Stemz, a Winston-Salem logistics and technology company connecting U.S. flower farmers with floral creatives.

Host Thom Ruhe talks with Amy about Stemz’s rapid growth, her founder journey, and how NC IDEA has supported her along the way, from to ($10K), ($50K), and a Rural Impact Grant ($20K).

For founders looking to better understand how to tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this episode is for 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
🎥Watch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. 🎤

Winston Starts