Innovate Charlotte is determined to provide entrepreneurs opportunities that lead to their growth and success.
Innovate Charlotte (InCLT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance, elevate, and accelerate entrepreneurial success in the greater Charlotte region. Our focus is on cultivating an intentionally inclusive and high impact ecosystem that stimulates innovation, economic growth and societal change.
Innovate Charlotte seeks to serve as the ecosystem connector — a central hub from which diverse stakeholders’ efforts can be synchronized to maximize collective impact. Our first core initiative is launching a Venture Mentoring Service licensed from the renowned MIT VMS Program.
Innovate Charlotte (InCLT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance, elevate, and accelerate entrepreneurial success in the greater Charlotte region. Our focus is on cultivating an intentionally inclusive and high impact ecosystem that stimulates innovation, economic growth and societal change.
Innovate Charlotte seeks to serve as the ecosystem connector — a central hub from which diverse stakeholders’ efforts can be synchronized to maximize collective impact. Our first core initiative is launching a Venture Mentoring Service licensed from the renowned MIT VMS Program.
Innovate Charlotte is determined to provide entrepreneurs opportunities that lead to their growth and success.
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Ecosystem Events
Come to one of our many ecosystem events and meet new entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners, and learn more about various topics from fundraising to business preparedness.
Learn more about what's happening with Innovate Charlotte and how we are engaging with the startup ecosystem.
The evolution of Whystle
When Chris Wright started looking into launching a business, he had no idea what he would be doing — and certainly no clue that he would use his…
Meet the Newest INCLT VMS Cohort Members
“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you.” — Bob Proctor The path of…
Identifying the Missing Puzzle Piece of the Customer Journey
Are some people born to be entrepreneurs? After all, it takes a certain type of person to identify a need in the market and work to find the optimal…
From TikTok to table
After graduating from NC State with a degree in business administration, Guyton spent several years working in industries ranging from automotive to…
Building a big business out of nanoscopic molecules
Margaret Kocherga describes herself as an “accidental entrepreneur.” Kocherga’s background is in academic scientific research, and it was her PhD…
Conversation with Innovate Charlotte’s New Executive Director
Back in November, Innovate Charlotte got a new executive director. You’re just hearing from him now because, for the past four months, Juan Garzón…
Inside one founder’s experience with the INCLT Venture Mentoring Service
By Mary Johnson, INCLT VMS Mentee In building my business, my business has always come last. Mary Johnson, INCLT Mentee It doesn’t make a lot of…
McKinsey provides support to INCLT mentees
The Day of Service is a company-wide initiative at McKinsey in which employees are given opportunities to make a positive impact. There are…
From hopeless to hopeful: An INCLT Pivot Story
At the beginning of the pandemic, “survive” was the word on everyone’s minds. Six months later, we now know survival isn’t enough. We must rethink…
Finding beauty in the pivot
In many ways, “pivot” has become the defining word of the pandemic. We’ve had to pivot the way we parent, the way we work, the way we learn, the way…
The numbers tell a story about the Charlotte Ecosystem...
$8
Venture Investment
Venture Investment Per Capita, which is 1% of Austin and less than 3% of Research Triangle
5
Top 5 Best States
NC has been ranked in the Top 5 Best States for Business, 12 years in a row
50
50 out of 50
Charlotte ranked 50 of 50 in upward mobility in recent study
#16
Kauffman Foundation Growth Index
From 2016 to 2017, Charlotte fell 7 places in the Kauffman Growth Index. Atlanta is #5 (went up 10) and Nashville is #4 (went up 5).
Community Events
Want to know what's happening with startups companies? Need to get out and network? Ready to learn new skills? Here's the place to find out where to go!
Charlotte Connections
Want to know what's happening with startups companies? Need to get out and network? Ready to learn new skills? Here's the place to find out where to go!
The HURT HUB @ Davidson
In 2014, Davidson College purchased industrial space in downtown Davidson, originally built as part of the Davidson Cotton Mill in 1920. Today, it is…
Ventureprise®
Ventureprise®Ventureprise® is UNC Charlotte’s innovation and entrepreneurship center serving the campus and Charlotte region as a center of…
INCLUSIONCLT
INCLUSIONCLTInclusionCLT Software solution, powered by B2Gnow, that streamlines and automates the city’s diversity data gathering, tracking,…
CBI PROGRAM
CHARLOTTE BUSINESS INCLUSION (CBI) PROGRAM CBI Mission Promote diversity, inclusion, and business opportunities in the City’s contracting and…
Charlotte Business Resources
Charlotte Business ResourceThe goal of the Charlotte Business Resources group is to connect you with the information you need to start and…
Charlotte Inno
Charlotte Inno.Since July 2019, they been covering, catalyzing and connecting the city’s ecosystem, producing digital media and events about the…
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Vision With united vision and bold action, we will create the most vibrant, innovative and healthy economy in…
Charlotte Angel Fund
Charlotte Angel FundCharlotte Angel Fund invests in early stage companies throughout North Carolina and contiguous states. Our members are…
SVP Charlotte
Social Venture Partners Charlotte What We Do Our Mission Social Venture Partners is a philanthropic organization passionately attacking the issue…
TEDx Charlotte
Technology, Entertainment and DesignTED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less).…