Financial Resources

Finding sources of capital for your business start up can be confusing.  This site provides summary information and links to the various resources available for individuals seeking start-up financing, loan guarantee programs as well as technical assistance.  Our counselors will also guide you by calling BLNC.

• NC Capital Access Program (NC-CAP) NC-CAP will partner with banks and other qualified lenders to reduce lender risks, enabling loans to businesses that might not otherwise qualify for financing. It is expected to free up to $800 million in capital for North Carolina’s small businesses over the next two years. NC-CAP will be administered by the NC Rural Center with the $46.1 million dollars allocated to NC from the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. For more information call BLNC at (800) 228-8443 or www.ncruralcenter.org/business-programs/capaccess.html
• Capital Access Network (CAN) CAN facilitates the process of accessing government loan guarantee programs for both businesses and participating banks – increasing the number of loans made to businesses in North Carolina. To access CAN call BLNC at (800) 228-8443 or www.canislending.com
• From the N.C. Rural Center: Fueling Your Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Financing for Small Businesses, and the Microenterprise Loan Program.
• From the Small Business & Technology Development Center: Capital Opportunities for Small Business. SBTDC also has information on private equity funding.
• The SBA or Small Business Administration has many loan guarantee programs for your business. 
• The USDA Rural Development offer Business and Industry loan guarantee for businesses.

Grants & Loans

• The following grant programs are administered by the North Carolina Office of Science and Technology:
  • The North Carolina Green Business Fund awards funds to North Carolina small for-profit and non-profit businesses, and State and local governmental entities, to encourage the development and commercialization of promising green technologies.
  • The One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Program reimburses qualified North Carolina firms for a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I proposals for the U.S. Government's Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
  • The One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program is designed to award matching funds to North Carolina firms who have been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program Phase I award.
• The SBTDC supports six Inception Micro-Angel Funds (IMAF) across the state. These funds provide $50,000 to $125,000 in early seed-stage capital to emerging technology-based businesses. Funds are up and running in the Triad, East, West and Coastal Piedmont regions; funds are under development for the Triangle and Coastal regions.
• The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center runs the Microenterprise Loan Program for individuals in North Carolina's 85 rural counties who have sound ideas for starting or expanding a small business but may not qualify for bank loans. 
• First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) is a technology incubator located in the heart of the Research Triangle Park. The FFVC mission is to increase the number of technology companies originating in or relocating to North Carolina; its Web site lists loan and other financial resources.
• Golden LEAF Foundation. The Golden LEAF Foundation was created in 1999 to administer half of North Carolina's share of the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers. The not-for-profit foundation is helping transform formerly tobacco-dependent economies through grants in agriculture, economic development and workforce preparedness, as well as educational assistance.
• The N.C. Biotechnology Center has a low-interest loan program for biotechnology-related businesses. 
• N.C. Community Development Initiative. Since its founding in 1994, the Institute has channeled more than $65 million to local Community Development Corporations, resulting in more than $358 million of completed local development projects. Financial programs include grants, loans and equity investments.
• N.C. Minority Support Center. Assists with funding available through Community Development Credit Unions.
• Self-Help Credit Union.  Self-Help is a community development lender, credit union, and real estate developer that works with individuals, organizations and communities traditionally underserved by conventional markets.
• Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund. RAFI’s Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund was created in 1997 to address the barriers facing tobacco farmers and tobacco dependent communities.

Offering Securities in North Carolina

You may be considering offering corporate stock, shares in a limited partnership or some other security to help fund your start-up. Security offers and sales in North Carolina are subject to the North Carolina Securities Act. Call the Secretary of State, Securities Division, at (919) 733-3924 or (800) 688-4507 for more information.

Federal Programs

• U.S. Department of Commerce Grants provides information on grant opportunities.
• Grants.gov provides access to information about more than 1,000 federal grant programs.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration provides information for start-ups and small businesses.