NC IDEA

10/15/2026

Will their friendship outlive the 2026 Ecosystem Summit? 👀😂

Only one way to find out. ⤵️

On November 12–13, NC IDEA is bringing hundreds of entrepreneurial leaders and ecosystem supporters to the Lumina on for our 8th annual Summit!

Two days of connection, community, and big conversations about the homegrown innovation shaping ’s future.

If you care about making the best place to start, scale, and sustain a business, this is the room to be in.

🎟️ Register: https://bit.ly/4rNBG5Y
And yes... the rumors are true. We’re expecting a SELL OUT.

10/15/2026

Attention entrepreneurs! 📣

Our partner, Mountain BizWorks, opened applications for their ScaleUp WNC Cohort 15!

Designed for established small businesses across , ScaleUp helps turn growth opportunities into actionable strategies through expert guidance, one-on-one mentoring, and connections with fellow business owners.

Selected participants will receive eight sessions focused on business growth, 10 hours of personalized technical assistance, and access to a network of regional experts.

Who should apply? businesses that have been operating for at least two years, generate between $150K and $2.5M in annual revenue, and are ready to expand.

📅 Program begins: March 12, 2027
⏰ Application deadline: January 14, 2027
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4inmwAj

10/14/2026

Building a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem takes collaboration. And we couldn't ask for a better partner than NCInnovation!

With a shared commitment to expanding economic opportunity across , we're proud to welcome NCInnovation as a Strategic Partner for NC IDEA's 2026 Ecosystem Summit! 🌊

Through its work, NCInnovation is commercializing and scaling innovation to create jobs and improve economic opportunity in all 100 counties in .

On November 12–13, NC IDEA is bringing hundreds of entrepreneurial leaders and ecosystem supporters to for two days of connection, collaboration, and conversations about the future of entrepreneurship in our state.

But the excitement starts a day early! ⤵️

On November 11, NCInnovation will host its Portfolio Showcase & Investor Reception at the Lumina in Wrightsville Beach, the same venue as our Summit.

This is an opportunity to connect with the people and technologies turning groundbreaking university research into real-world impact. Space is limited, so don't miss out!

NC IDEA's Ecosystem Summit: https://bit.ly/4rNBG5Y
NCInnovation's Portfolio Showcase: https://bit.ly/47TElSn
And yes... the rumors are true. We’re expecting a 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗨𝗧.

10/14/2026

Big challenges require bold thinking.💡

For the 50th episode of , Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment, joins host Thom Ruhe to explore how philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and innovation can create lasting economic opportunity.

They discuss why The Endowment, valued at more than $1.8 billion, is making and innovation in New Hanover County a priority, and what it takes to build a community where innovation is expected, entrepreneurship is accessible, risk-taking is supported, and success is reinvested.

The Endowment is also the Host Community Partner for NC IDEA’s 2026 Ecosystem Summit, November 12–13 in . 🌊

🎥 Watch: https://bit.ly/4dpVA17
🎧 Listen: https://bit.ly/4yyFmeh
Summit: https://bit.ly/4ASybzp

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

10/14/2026

Our NC IDEA Fellows are taking entrepreneurial support beyond library walls!📚

Last evening, we were thrilled to see Gray Benson (LEAF Eastern 2026) lead a session at the NC SBTDC's Taking the Leap program in !

Gray, Nancy L., and Carlo Diy introduced participants to the wealth of entrepreneurial resources available through their local libraries, NC LIVE, and NC IDEA. Seeing how library access can be equivalent to a co-working membership + a subscription to the The Wall Street Journal + a Data Axle account + tons more, several attendees signed up for library cards on the spot! 👏

We love seeing our growing network of Fellows put their training into action and help across discover how their local libraries can support them!

Learn more about Taking the Leap: https://bit.ly/4i0DPXF

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

Finding this year’s Ecosystem Summit venue proved to be quite the adventure for Thom Ruhe and Scott Davis... 😂🌊

Don't worry, we promise it's easier to find than they make it look!

On November 12–13, NC IDEA is bringing hundreds of entrepreneurial leaders and ecosystem supporters to the Lumina on for our 8th Annual Ecosystem Summit!

Two days of connection, community, and big conversations about the homegrown innovation shaping ’s future.

If you care about making the best place to start, scale, and sustain a business, this is the room to be in.

🎟️ Register: https://bit.ly/4rNBG5Y
And yes... the rumors are true. We’re expecting a SELL OUT.

10/13/2026

Should focus on attracting new businesses or helping the ones already here grow? 🤔

For the 50th episode of , Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment, joins host Thom Ruhe to explore how philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and innovation can create lasting economic opportunity.

They discuss why The Endowment, valued at more than $1.8 billion, is making and innovation in New Hanover County a priority, and what it takes to build a community where innovation is expected, entrepreneurship is accessible, risk-taking is supported, and success is reinvested.

The Endowment is also the Host Community Partner for NC IDEA’s 2026 Ecosystem Summit, November 12–13 in . 🌊

🎥 Watch: https://bit.ly/4dpVA17
🎧 Listen: https://bit.ly/4yyFmeh
Summit: https://bit.ly/4ASybzp

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