Local entrepreneurs have a new option for assistance growing from an idea into a viable business. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will soon cut the ribbon on a brand new facility for start-ups.
The UNCP Entrepreneurship Incubator is already accepting applications from anybody with a great idea – ahead of the December 7th official opening. Just as UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship identifies start-ups as a key element in local economic growth and the battle against brain drain, the Director of UNCP’s Incubator, Dr. James Woods, says that same kind of start-up assistance will become a job creator in his region – just northwest of Lumberton in Robeson County.
“There are certain specialties that lend [themselves] to different geographic areas. So, for Wilmington, if you’re a marine biologist or in marine biotechnology, you would stay in Wilmington because that’s where the strength is. Now, if you were looking at agriculture, maybe renewable energy, healthcare, things like that – you may want to look in this region.”
Woods says entrepreneurs who inhabit the new space will have access to on-campus expertise which ranges from medical devices and pharmaceuticals to accounting and manufacturing. Experts and research will also be available through the entire UNC system, says Woods. And the program will match students with companies to work on projects such as website creation or social media campaigns.
The ribbon-cutting for the 17,000 square-foot facility is slated for December 7th at 2 PM at the Entrepreneurship Incubator, located at 202 Main Street, Pembroke, NC. The event is open to the public and tours of the facility will follow.
