Press Releases
2008
December 15, 2008 - NC IDEA Grants Awarded to Five N.C. Companies
NC IDEA continues to help North Carolina start-up companies during this economic downturn
NC IDEA has recently awarded $199,965 in grants to five early-stage companies throughout North Carolina in the fall cycle of its bi-annual grant program. These awards are the sixth cycle of the grant program.
Since its inception in early 2006, this program has seen over 460 applications and awarded approximately $1.2M to thirty-two companies in North Carolina. NC IDEA targets companies who need help crossing the chasm between initial product development and venture capital funding.
The grants, which are up to $50,000 per recipient, support business plan research and development, reduce risk of early failure, and advance projects to the point of self-sustainability when suitable for private equity investors.
The following companies are the Fall 2008 grant recipients:
Arctic -offers Frostbite TM , a green alternative to herbicides for lawn care, golf course care and organic farming. Frostbite kills weeds and crabgrass but doesn't harm fescue regardless of the outside temperature.
b2b2dot0 - a software as a service (SaaS) company offering web based B2B sellside Order Management services to manufacturers running the SAP ERP system.
BioMedomics - develops diagnostic platforms and disposable test trips used at point of care and based on molecular diagnostics. Their first test product is in the coagulation segment.
InnerOptic - medical device company that offers an advanced visualization device to be used in tumor ablation and biopsies.
Spoonflower - custom, on-demand fabric printing. Visitors to Spoonflower.com can upload their own textile designs and print what they need with no minimum order. The company is developing a user-friendly tool that will allow customers to design their own fabric.
June 10, 2008 - NC IDEA Grants Awarded to Six N.C. Companies, Spring 2008 Cycle
NC IDEA Grants Help Bridge Funding Gap to Spur Commercialization of Research & Create New NC Companies
NC IDEA has recently awarded $183,200 in grants to six early-stage companies throughout North Carolina in the spring cycle of its bi-annual grant program. These awards are the fifth cycle of the grant program
Since its inception in early 2006, this program has seen over 375 applications and awarded approximately $1M to twenty-seven companies in North Carolina. NC IDEA targets companies who need help crossing the chasm between initial product development and venture capital funding.
The grants, which are up to $50,000 per recipient, support business plan research and development, reduce risk of early failure, and advance projects to the point of self-sustainability when suitable for private equity investors.
The following companies are the spring 2008 grant recipients:
iCustom - provides an online customization platform that connects clothing designers, consumers and manufacturers. Designers can quickly and cost-effectively offer their creative designs to consumers, consumers can order cut-to-fit clothing, and manufacturers are directly connected to customers (consumers and designers). iCustom will initially target the plus size, Big and Tall and little people markets.
Jute Networks - Asheville based company offers a network relationship management software application. Designed for professionals, the software brings together web based collaboration, social network analysis and data visualization and is offered as a web based on-demand solution.
MBright - provides a pocket projector product based on the MBright next generation Liquid Crystal on Silicon microdisplay. MBright will offer pocket size projectors and embedded projectors in portable electronic devices.
Next Ray -offer next generation x-ray machines that provide a detailed diagnostic image with low radiation exposure. Next Ray will initially offer a 2D infant imaging machine and a 3D pediatric CT machine.
Physcient - a surgical instrument company offers a smart surgical retractor for use in thoracic and cardio-thoracic surgery. The iOpener TM decreases patient pain experienced as a result of open-chest surgery.
Valencell - offer the Healthset®, a compact, wearable device that measures vital signs and physical activity. Personalized assessments of overall health, fitness, and calories burned can be viewed on a smart phone, mp3 player or computer.
January 21, 2008 - NC IDEA Grants Awarded to Five N.C. Companies, Spring Cycle
NC IDEA Grants Help Bridge Funding Gap to Spur Commercialization of Research & Create New NC Companies
NC IDEA has recently awarded $215,000 in grants to five early-stage companies throughout North Carolina in the fall cycle of its bi-annual grant program.
These awards are the fourth cycle of the grant program. The following companies are the fall 2007 grant recipients:
Chiliport - Real-time, on-demand audio portal that plays user-defined web-based information over a cell phone line.
CorePrognostex - A tissue acquisition protocol, a patented stereotactic tissue-holding device, and designed custom kits to enable uniform collection of high quality human tumor samples.
CPS Biofuels - System that converts waste byproducts into high-energy, safe oxygenates and fuel additives that improve vehicle performance and reduce particulate emissions.
Filtara - Small, lightweight, long lasting portable oxygen concentrator.
Size Me Up - Sizing tool for online retail shoppers.
Since its inception in early 2006, this program has seen over 275 applications and awarded approximately $810,000 to twenty-one companies in North Carolina. NC IDEA targets companies who need help crossing the chasm between initial product development and venture capital funding.
