We knew when we created Supportedly that there were tons of amazing resources for entrepreneurs all over the state. But even we’ve been blown away by how many programs are available to support you on your entrepreneurial journey. There are so many resources for entrepreneurs in Western NC. It’s a matter of being aware and going after the things you need to make it all happen.

In this post, we’ve rounded up just a sampling of available business resources that can be found in our state capital — Raleigh, NC — and the surrounding cities of Durham and Chapel Hill. Here are ten resources to help your startup succeed.

NC IDEA

Advice/Mentoring | Knowledge & Skills

320 Blackwell St #400
Durham, NC 27701

Offering six programs designed to help promote entrepreneurship throughout North Carolina, it’s hard to know where to start with NC IDEA. The organization offers programs that focus on mentorship for female business owners, seed grants for innovation, personalized leadership training for founders, and events to engage individuals and organizations. But let’s pick just one to discuss.

John Austin leads NC IDEA LABS, an intensive program for founders developing an idea or product that needs validation through customer discovery. If you’re somewhere between ideation and a minimum viable product, this no-cost program will help you mitigate risk and accelerate decision making for your start-up.

Startup Stampede

Advice/Mentoring  |  Space & Tools

201 W Main Street
Durham, NC 27701

The name says it all. Taking place in what is known as “the startup capital of the South,” the image of startups converging on Durham is an apt one. Startup Stampede is a two-month incubator that helps retail-focused companies scale online sales, and it’s attracting diverse startups from near and far. Given that consumer product sales are expected to top $36 billion, it’s no wonder companies are competing for a spot in the stampede.

N.C. Entrepreneurship Clinic

Talent  |  Knowledge & Skills

381 Initiative Way
Raleigh, NC 27695

Recipient of the 2018 Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic takes great ideas and helps students execute them. Established in January 2015 as part of NC State’s Poole College of Management, the program was created to give students entrepreneurial experience outside of the classroom.

American Underground Coworking and Office Space

Space & Tools  |  Connections

201 W Main St.
Durham, NC 27701

One of eleven Google for Entrepreneurs tech hubs, American Underground was launched in 2000 in the basement of an old tobacco warehouse at the American Tobacco Campus. Since that time, it has expanded to approximately 125,000 square feet of space at three locations in downtown Durham. With a large percentage of resident companies led by women or racial minorities, diversity is a major focus of American Underground.

Exchange for Black Founders

Money  |  Advice/Mentoring  |  Connections

201 W Main St.
Durham, NC 27701

The Exchange for Black Founders is a week-long boot camp-style program that connects black entrepreneurs from all over the U.S. with investors, mentors, and resources to prepare them to raise seed money. It is also an opportunity for network building for these entrepreneurs. During the boot camp, participants will not only have the opportunity to meet with investors but also with Google for Entrepreneurs mentors.

HQ Raleigh Community

Space & Tools  |  Connections

310 S. Harrington Street
Raleigh, NC 27603

HQ Raleigh has big goals. It wants to help Raleigh become one of the top entrepreneurial cities in the US. For their part, they’re building a trusted support community and providing access to flexible, affordable office space. Designated as a B corporation, HQ Raleigh is passionate about creating a conscious culture and providing a place where startups can make a positive social impact.

The Mothership

Space & Tools  |  Connections

401 West Geer Street
Durham, NC 27701

With more and more millennials opting to work for themselves, The Mothership responded by creating a cool space to connect, make things, and collaborate on good ideas. Located in downtown Durham, they offer a combination communal office, meeting space, and storefront dedicated to helping self-employed, creative professionals thrive.

Launch Chapel Hill

Knowledge & Skills  |  Space & Tools  |  Connections

306 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

This award-winning tech incubator and coworking space offer startups a 22-week program that includes mentoring and help from an entrepreneur-in-residence. The program accepts two cohorts of 12 teams each year from companies that are ready to scale and have a national or global focus. It’s been pretty successful at selecting companies so far.

Bull City Venture Partners

Money

201 West Main Street Suite 100 PMB 28
Durham, NC 27701

Organizers at Bull City Venture Partners, a VC firm focusing on startups and emerging firms, are behind the annual Entrepreneurs’ Series: Venture Outlook event which typically draws hundreds of investors looking for possible deals and entrepreneurs hoping to find financial backers. On average, the firm itself invests $250K to $2 million in software and internet companies.

e51

Knowledge & Skills  |  Connections

310 S Harrington Street
Raleigh, NC, 27603

A women-to-women initiative that hosts networking and training events for high-impact female entrepreneurs, e51 sponsors “CoffeeConnections” and other mentor-peer groups to help women develop a stronger sense of community and a solid female-peer network. Their website shares such core values as “Be bold”,  “Pave the Path for Others”, and “Make the Impossible Possible”.

Your Turn!

If you live in the Triangle and are inspired by this list, take some time to visit one or two of the resources for entreprenurs (or one of their events) on this list.

Have a question about this topic or anything else?