Sources of Capital

The Business ServiCenter's consultants can direct you to an overview and guide to  financial resources and special loan programs for small businesses in North Carolina.

In most cases, loan applications require a well thought-out business plan, including financial projections.  This demonstrates your ability to research and envision the viability and long-term operations of your business. 

Lenders consider the following issues when evaluating loans:

• The borrower’s management experience and background
• The skills required for a chosen business
• Historic and current credit history
• Realistic profitability projections
• Collateral

We want your business to succeed and grow.   The following links provide information about financing options you may want to consider.

 Fueling Your Business

Loan Resources

• The Small Business and Technology Center’s Capital Opportunities for Small Businesses provides information about financial resources available to small businesses in North Carolina.

• The Self-Help Commercial Lending targets loan products to companies and nonprofits whose financing needs are not met by traditional lenders.

• The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers numerous financing programs to assist small business.

• Active Capital takes a proactive role in helping small businesses connect with private capital.

• The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center runs the Microenterprise Loan Program and the Rural Venture Fund offering a variety of financing options for business start-ups and expansions in Rural North Carolina.

• 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

Grant Resources

Generally speaking, grants for business start-ups are rare.  Exceptions may include:

• High technology businesses (see the paragraph below)

• Businesses marketing products that can be used by agencies or departments  involved in our nation’s defense

• Non-profit businesses

These programs are administered by the North Carolina Board 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.

Federal grant information can be found at your local library in the business section or by visiting the following websites:

• Grants.gov is the single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by all Federal grant making agencies. 

• The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) gives you access to a database of all federal programs available to state and local governments including federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

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.