NC IDEA

NC IDEA NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential.

Cue the Summer Playlist ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽ™๏ธTo celebrate the 40th episode of  #๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ, weโ€™re revisiting six standout conversations ...
05/29/2026

Cue the Summer Playlist ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

To celebrate the 40th episode of #๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ, weโ€™re revisiting six standout conversations from the past year and a half that explore equitable and economic development across . ๐ŸŽง

NC IDEAโ€™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! ๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Episode 40 of #๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ features Amy Dunlap, founder and CEO of Stemz, a Winston-Salem based logistics and technology company helping rebuild Americaโ€™s flower industry. ๐ŸŒป

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

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 2025 NC IDEA   ($10K) grantee Jeff Stringer and Srihari Chari of Real OB, ba...
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 โ€™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, weโ€™re making the best state in the nation to start and grow a company! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

05/28/2026

๐—œ๐˜โ€™๐˜€ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜†, ๐—ถ๐˜โ€™๐˜€ ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป.

Episode 40 of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ 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 Stemzโ€™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 ๐—ฌ๐—ข๐—จ!

๐ŸŽงListen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
๐ŸŽฅWatch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. ๐ŸŽค

Winston Starts

05/27/2026

Real growth creates opportunities for everyone. ๐ŸŒผ

Episode 40 of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ 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 Stemzโ€™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 ๐—ฌ๐—ข๐—จ!

๐ŸŽงListen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
๐ŸŽฅWatch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. ๐ŸŽค

Winston Starts

05/27/2026
05/27/2026

DURHAM, NC โ€“ May 14, 2026 โ€“ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰

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

๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜† ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ ๐—ฑ๐—ผ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ. ๐—•๐˜‚๐˜ ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐˜ ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ? ๐ŸŒป

Episode 40 of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ 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 Stemzโ€™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 ๐—ฌ๐—ข๐—จ!

๐ŸŽงListen here: https://bit.ly/4uUNS54
๐ŸŽฅWatch here: https://bit.ly/3ROelTG

Catch new episodes of ๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ every other Tuesday on your favorite platform. ๐ŸŽค

Winston Starts

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411 W. Chapel Hill Street, Suite C2
Durham, NC
27701

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