Grants & Finance
Access to capital is essential to build a successful clean energy business. For a region its size, western North Carolina has a healthy (and growing) number of grant and finance resources. Browse the listings below to find resources appropriate for you. Then, if you need support in getting your business ready for capital, see the Business Development page.
Clean Energy Grants | Financing for Your Business
Clean Energy Grants
North Carolina Green Business Fund
[For Business] Established in 2007 by the NC General Assembly, the North Carolina Green Business Fund (NCGBF) awards competitive grants to North Carolina organizations with innovative projects focused on three priority areas: 1) Development and commercialization of the biofuels industry 2) Development and commercialization of the green building industry 3) Attraction and leverage of private sector investments and entrepreneurial growth in environmentally conscious clean technology and renewable energy products and businesses
One North Carolina Small Business Program
[For Business] The One North Carolina Small Business Program is comprised of two programs: the North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program and the SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program. The purpose of the Phase I Incentive Funds Program is to reimburse qualified North Carolina businesses for a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I Proposals to the Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program (the “Federal SBIR/STTR Program”). The Phase I Matching Funds Program is designed to award matching funds to North Carolina businesses who have been awarded a SBIR or STTR Phase I award.
North Carolina State Energy Office
The State Energy Office is dedicated to ensuring a sustainable energy future for the citizens of North Carolina. This is accomplished by “leading by example” with programs, services and technical expertise focused on advancing energy efficiency in the public sector, encouraging the growth and development of the state’s energy economy and making North Carolina a leader in the creation of green jobs.
Appalachian Regional Commission Energy Program
ARC provides a range of assistance to help communities develop clean energy programs, as well as support to help new energy businesses expand and create local jobs.
Financing for Your Business
Inception Micro Angel Fund – Western
IMAF-WESTERN is part of the Inception Micro Angel Fund Family of Funds, which is a group of committed, member-managed seed stage angel capital funds designed to capitalize on the growth in entrepreneurial activity and venture financing, throughout western North Carolina.
Mountain BizWorks Loan Program
Mountain BizWorks’ loan program is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed in business by getting them the money they need. Mountain BizWorks’ lending is geared to financing a business when traditional bank lending may not be available. Mountain BizWorks’ loans, of up to $50,000, are structured to meet the borrower’s ability to pay. Conditions differ according to the business’ financing needs and include short term loans, lines of credit, and term loans up to five years.
Natural Capital Investment Fund
NCIF provides patient capital to small and emerging natural resource-based businesses throughout western North Carolina. Our investments support business expansion, create employment opportunities, advance sustainable economic development and develop the rural tax base.
North Carolina Rural Center
The North Carolina Rural Center operates two innovative programs to provide capital for business start-ups and expansions. The Microenterprise Loan Program helps individuals become self-sufficient through self-employment and the growth of very small businesses, and the Rural Venture Fund provides capital for businesses seeking to expand in North Carolina’s economically distressed counties.
Self Help Credit Union Green Fund
Historically, low-wealth communities have been disproportionately affected by poor environmental quality, high-energy prices, and unhealthy land use policies. Self-Help established its green lending initiative to protect the interests of its borrowers and to help reverse these negative trends.
SJF Ventures
NC-based SJF is a venture capital leader in the fields of cleantech and sustainability. For more than 10 years, the SJF team has been launching, operating, and investing in cleantech and sustainable businesses, including solar, recycling, energy efficiency and technology, remediation and health and wellness companies.
Western North Carolina is also home to a long list of excellent banks and other lending institutions. For more information on these resources, please contact us.
