Business Development Center

Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is a thorough resource for the early stages of starting a business in NC. BLNC provides checklists and links to statewide services for entrepreneurs including help writing business plans, licensing, help determining business structures, financing options and taxes, among others.

The Center for Entrepreneurship at Fayetteville State University offers curriculums in entrepreneurship and assistance with business planning.

Inception Angel Micro Fund is an angel investor network in NC that provides investing dollars as well as time and relationships in early stage, high quality, and high growth companies.

The Methodist University Center for Entrepreneurship seeks the involvement of global entrepreneurs in building an exclusive network of about 1,000 local, national and international mentors.

The North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Project (NC LEAP) is a public service program of the North Carolina Bar Association to provide legal assistance to low wealth entrepreneurs and small business owners.

NC Rural Center’s Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship supports the development of micro, small and medium-size enterprises in rural NC. The Rural Center also has resources for capital access for viable businesses and venture capital networks within the state.

SCORE  provides free counseling support for start-ups and existing small businesses by existing or retired small business owners.

Self-Help Credit Union is a community development lender and real estate developer that works with qualified individuals, organizations and communities traditionally underserved by conventional markets to secure funding to new business ventures.

Small Business Centers Network  (SBC) is offered through the NC Community College System and assists individuals via free business counseling and business plan development. SBC also offers free seminars on the fundamentals of opening a small business in NC.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is located at each of our three public universities (UNCW, UNCP, and FSU) for business development. SBTDC offers free confidential business counseling and assistance with planning, market research, government contracting, exporting and technology development.

Startup North Carolina is a statewide effort led by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to support startups and connect them to resources throughout the state and across the country.

Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship at UNC Pembroke offers support for the small business community by providing one-on-one consulting and evaluation services for local entrepreneurs while assisting students in developing entrepreneurial competencies and knowledge.

UNC-Wilmington Entrepreneurship Center is designed to assist high-growth businesses by offering seminars, events, opportunities, research, education, and relationship building. The Center offers “rocket pitch” events for entrepreneurs to meet and pitch ideas to funding-ready bankers and equity investors. They also offer biannual events to meet lawyers and accountants among others for small business owners to get free counseling from professionals.

Revolving Loan Programs- Bladen, Duplin, Columbus, Richmond, Scotland and Sampson Counties.

SBA 504 Programs-Wilmington Business Development- Hanover and Pender Counties.