SANFORD - The Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center received a $50,000 Regional Impact Grant from NC IDEA to create a new comprehensive business start-up program in partnership with Innovate Carolina (UNC Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development). This program, titled NEXT LEVEL, will be targeted to entrepreneurs building scalable businesses with a potential for national or worldwide reach.

The goal of the program is to help program participants validate their business concept, an area that is significantly missing among startups, and become ready to advance their product or service to the next level.

This grant will allow the CCCC Small Business Center and Innovate Carolina to develop programming to reach a group previously underserved through existing programs -- prospective high-growth business owners.

"This program will fill a gap for high-growth entrepreneurs who require more advanced support than traditional start-up programs, but may not be ready for an accelerator program," said Terri Brown, CCCC Small Business Center Director. "Participants that successfully complete the program may receive access to mentorship, introductions to investors, and potential strategic partnerships. I am thrilled to have received this grant that will allow us to partner with Innovate Carolina in supporting these entrepreneurs."

For more information, contact CCCC Small Business Center Director Terri Brown at (919) 718-7558 or email to tbrow513@cccc.edu.

Learn more about the CCCC Small Business Center at www.cccc.edu/sbc.