First Flight Venture Center

This week's Captain's Circle Lunch & Learn welcomed Julie Zelman Davis and Sarah Kenyon from the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation for an insightful session on "Navigating the Choppy Seas of Capital Raising."

Our founders gained practical guidance on the capital-raising journey, including:
⚓ A funding roadmap to help identify the right financing path
⚓ The essential building blocks of raising capital
⚓ Resources and tools available through the SEC's Office of the Advocate
⚓ A deeper understanding of exempt offerings and the rules that help entrepreneurs raise capital with confidence

For many startups, navigating securities regulations can feel overwhelming. Julie and Sarah broke down complex topics into practical, actionable guidance, equipping our founders with resources they can use as they continue to grow.

With 80% of net new jobs since 2011 created by small businesses, empowering entrepreneurs with education and access to trusted resources has never been more important. We're grateful to Julie and Sarah for investing their time and expertise in our innovation community and helping our founders chart a stronger course toward growth.

Thank you for supporting the entrepreneurs who are building what's next.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jesse Jur as the new Senior Director of Innovation Ecosystems and Strategic Initiatives at First Flight Venture Center! 🚀

Jesse brings an extraordinary track record of building partnerships that turn innovative ideas into real-world impact. His career spans leadership in state government, academia, advanced manufacturing, and research, where he has championed technology commercialization, defense innovation, economic development, and strategic collaboration across North Carolina and beyond. From shaping statewide innovation initiatives at the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation to leading multidisciplinary research and industry partnerships, Jesse has consistently helped connect the right people, resources, and opportunities to accelerate innovation.

His passion for strengthening innovation ecosystems and empowering entrepreneurs makes him an exceptional addition to our team. As First Flight Venture Center continues to expand its impact, Jesse's vision, collaborative leadership, and deep commitment to North Carolina's innovation community will help us create even greater opportunities for founders, startups, and partners.

Welcome to the team, Jesse! We're excited for what we'll accomplish together.

We're grateful to WRAL TechWire and Steve Rao for highlighting the impact First Flight Venture Center has had on North Carolina's innovation ecosystem—and, more importantly, the incredible entrepreneurs who make that impact possible.

Every startup has a story. Behind every breakthrough are founders taking risks, researchers solving complex problems, mentors giving their time, and partners who believe in what's possible. We're fortunate to play a small part in helping those ideas grow into companies that create jobs, improve lives, and strengthen our region.

For more than 30 years, we've been committed to supporting science and technology entrepreneurs, and we're just as excited about what's ahead as we are proud of what we've accomplished together.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We couldn't do it without you.

Read the full story below—we're honored to share it.

High impact, high science: How First Flight is building North Carolina’s innovation future First Flight Venture Center has spent more than three decades helping science and technology startups grow into companies that create jobs, attract investment and strengthen North Carolina’s economy.

If you're developing a cancer-focused technology or life science innovation, understanding how to access federal funding can make all the difference.

Join First Flight Venture Center for a special hybrid event featuring Dr. Monique Pond and Dr. Melissa Li from the NCI SBIR Development Center. They'll share practical guidance on NIH and NCI SBIR/STTR funding, what reviewers look for in successful proposals, and resources available to help small businesses bring new technologies to market.

This is a great opportunity to learn directly from the people who manage these programs, ask questions, and connect with fellow founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

"The world changes because people imagine what does not yet exist." — Martine Rothblatt

Every breakthrough starts with a question: What if?

The ideas that shape the future begin as possibilities in the minds of bold innovators willing to challenge convention, solve meaningful problems, and create what others have yet to envision.

Congratulations to our Director of Programs, Dr. Balaji Vasudevan, Ph.D.., on his nomination to the World Agriculture Forum's Global Policy Dialogue.

This recognition reflects Balaji's dedication to advancing innovation, fostering global collaboration, and connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities that create meaningful impact. His leadership continues to elevate First Flight Venture Center's presence on the international stage while strengthening partnerships that support science- and technology-based startups.

We're proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and look forward to the contributions he'll continue to make in shaping conversations around the future of agriculture, food security, and innovation. Congratulations, Balaji!



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/balaji-vasudevan_worldagricultureforum-foodsecurity-agtech-activity-7484947761918951424-dZPz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAGgT3mYB_RoNkJmEi_BW5ZDh32eRqGhep6I

Congratulations to University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the incredible coalition of partners behind the newly awarded NSF Regional Innovation Engine for Grid Modernization!
This transformational investment recognizes the power of collaboration to turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact. By bringing together academia, industry, entrepreneurs, and innovation organizations across North and South Carolina, the Carolinas are strengthening their position as a national leader in energy innovation, commercialization, workforce development, and economic growth. The award includes an initial $15 million investment, with the potential to grow to as much as $160 million over the next decade based on performance.
Congratulations to everyone involved—we can't wait to see what's next!

UNC Charlotte Leads NSF Grid Modernization Engine in Carolinas | University of North Carolina at Charlotte posted on the topic | LinkedIn Today, the National Science Foundation (NSF) selected the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas, led by UNC Charlotte, as one of the nation's newest NSF Regional Innovation Engines. 🎉 A stronger electric grid is critical to America's economic competitiveness, national security and contin...

Most founders don't start a company because they love accounting.

But understanding your finances can be the difference between securing funding, staying compliant, and scaling with confidence.

Join First Flight Venture Center's Itineraries: Science Talk as Chris Williams, CPA, shares what every startup founder should know about accounting, compliance, taxes, and financial best practices for early-stage life science and technology companies. With years of experience advising startups and organizations receiving government grant funding, Chris brings practical insights you can put to work immediately.

Reserve your seat today!

Please join us in welcoming Chris Pienaar to First Flight Venture Center's Navigator Program!

Chris is an accomplished technology and business leader with more than 18 years of experience in IT operations, strategic planning, project management, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations drive operational excellence, lead complex initiatives, and build high-performing teams across diverse industries and global markets.

At First Flight Venture Center, our Navigators provide founders with the mentorship, strategic guidance, and industry expertise needed to accelerate the growth of science- and technology-based startups. Chris's experience in leadership, technology, and operational strategy will be an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs as they transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Welcome to the team, Chris—we're excited to have you helping empower the next generation of innovators!