*Information from NC Department of Commerce www.thrivenc.com

Overview

• From the N.C. Rural Center: Fueling Your Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Financing for Small Businesses
• From the Small Business & Technology Development Center: Capital Opportunities for Small Business.

Grants & Loans

The following grant programs are administered by the North Carolina Office of Science and Technology:

• The One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Program reimburses qualified North Carolina firms for a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I proposals for the U.S. Government's Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
• The One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program is designed to award matching funds to North Carolina firms who have been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program Phase I award.
• The SBTDC supports six Inception Micro-Angel Funds (IMAF) across the state. These funds provide $50,000 to $125,000 in early seed-stage capital to emerging technology-based businesses. Funds are up and running in the Triad, East, West and Coastal Piedmont regions; funds are under development for the Triangle and Coastal regions.
• The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center runs the Microenterprise Loan Programand the N.C. Capital Access Program, offering a variety of financing options for business start-ups and expansions in North Carolina's 85 rural counties.
• First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) is a technology incubator located in the heart of the Research Triangle Park. The FFVC mission is to increase the number of technology companies originating in or relocating to North Carolina.
• Golden LEAF Foundation. The Golden LEAF Foundation was created in 1999 to administer half of North Carolina's share of the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers. The not-for-profit foundation is helping transform formerly tobacco-dependent economies through grants in agriculture, economic development and workforce preparedness, as well as educational assistance.
• The N.C. Biotechnology Center has a low-interest loan program for biotechnology-related businesses.
• N.C. Community Development Initiative. Since its founding in 1994, the Institute has channeled more than $65 million to local Community Development Corporations, resulting in more than $358 million of completed local development projects. Financial programs include Initiative Capital (loans); and Grants.
• The Support Center. Assists with funding available through Community Development Credit Unions.
• Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund. RAFI’s Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund was created in 1997 to address the barriers facing tobacco farmers and tobacco dependent communities.

Offering Securities in North Carolina

You may be considering offering corporate stock, shares in a limited partnership or some other security to help fund your start-up. Security offers and sales in North Carolina are subject to the North Carolina Securities Act. Call the Secretary of State, Securities Division, at (919) 733-3924 or (800) 688-4507 for more information.

Federal Programs

• U.S. Department of Commerce Grants provides information on grant opportunities.
• Grants.gov provides access to information about more than 1,000 federal grant programs.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration provides information for start-ups and small businesses.

*Information from NC Department of Commerce www.thrivenc.com