New resource directory aims to connect business created by minorities and females to entrepreneurial tools that can advance their missions
Innovate Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill’s university-wide initiative for innovation and entrepreneurship, has coordinated with entrepreneurial experts to publish a growing list of resources available from organizations across the local region, state and country that support minority- and female-led startups and ventures.
The resource directory for minority and female entrepreneurs includes regional and national angel investors and venture capital firms, financial services, competitions and fellowships, accelerators and incubators, educational programs, co-working and community spaces, collaboration hubs, and diversity and inclusion support tools. The page is designed to support our minority and women entrepreneurs in the Research Triangle region and beyond.
“The goal is to highlight networks, funders, collaborators, programs and other support resources that are specifically created to lift underrepresented entrepreneurs,” said Melissa Carrier, director of Innovate Carolina’s Office of Social Innovation, who worked to coordinate the directory’s creation. “Supporting all entrepreneurs is at the core of our work at Innovate Carolina, and we believe it is important to highlight those capacities that meet entrepreneurs where they are.”
Carrier partnered with colleagues at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as key local leaders and organizations including ReCity, Audacity Labs, North Carolina Central University, local venture capitalists, and others to vet and contribute to this list. Carrier hopes to continue to crowd source additional resources from the regional and national entrepreneurial community to build upon this foundation.
“We desire bringing more capital and support to businesses and entrepreneurs across the state,” Carrier said. “We also hope this resource page will be an important connector for those interested in working with these entrepreneurs.”
| UNC-CH