NC IDEA has opened applications for its Seed Grant Program, which offers as much as $50,000 to emerging startups, and is also looking for entrepreneurs to take part in its Groundwork Labs and SoarTriangle programs.

The Durham-based foundation is taking applications for each through March 13.

The grants, which are now in their 23rd cycle, offering funding and other support. 

NC-based entrepreneurs and companies, and those looking to relocate to the state, are eligible.

NC IDEA describes the programs this way:

  • NC IDEA’s Seed Grant Program provides grants of up to $50K to innovative startups between proof of concept and first institutional funding to support business activities that validate potential markets, reduce risk associated with early stage companies and advance startups to the point of suitability for growth funding; be that crowdfunding, angel or venture capital investment.
  • Groundwork Labs is a 10-week “no strings attached” program that accelerates pre-seed startups toward their next goal. The upcoming session begins on May 16th.
  • SoarTriangle is a 6-month program that addresses the proven funding gap facing female entrepreneurs starting scalable businesses and actively raising seed or Series A funding.

Informational sessions are set for:

  • Wednesday, March 1 at 10:30 am at The Frontier, RTP
  • Wednesday, March 1 at 1 pm at HQ Raleigh
  • Thursday, March 2 at 4 pm at American Underground, Durham

Applicants also can schedule “virtual office hours.

For details, see: http://www.ncidea.org.