Ecosystem

NC IDEA provides non-dilutive grants and programming to North Carolina startups. MICRO grants are $10,000 and SEED grants are $50,000.

Charlotte Angel Fund invests in early-stage companies in North Carolina, typically writing $50K–$250K into rounds of $250K–$2M. Their process includes screening, founder presentations, 30-day due diligence, and a member vote. Health and life-science portfolio companies include Gradient Health, Baebies, Elektrofi, EternaTear, Camras Vision, NIRvana Sciences, and Neurotone AI.

VentureSouth is one of the largest angel investment organizations in the Southeast, deploying capital across early-stage companies and frequently leading deals. They have notable activity in health tech and life sciences — including leading the investment in Gradient Health, backing Darby (their 100th portfolio company), and participating in KIYATEC's financing round.

Black Pearl Global Investments is a Charlotte-based healthcare-focused investment firm spanning venture capital, private equity, private lending, and healthcare innovation. They back founders building healthcare and medtech solutions with an impact and sustainable growth lens, and are active in the local ecosystem — partnering with Hurt Hub@Davidson to support early-stage ventures.

Pamlico Capital is a Charlotte-based private equity firm investing in middle-market growth and buyout opportunities, with Healthcare IT as one of five core sectors. They back experienced management teams building healthcare technology businesses that improve patient experience, reduce cost of care, and increase operational efficiency.

Carousel Capital is a Charlotte-based private investment firm backing companies headquartered in the Southeastern US, with a long track record across business services, consumer services, and healthcare services — including medical data management, pharmacy services, and revenue cycle management.

gBETA Charlotte Health is a free 7-week accelerator program by gener8tor focused on health innovation. Backed by City of Charlotte and Advocate Health.

The Pearl is a $1.5B innovation district in Charlotte anchored by Wake Forest School of Medicine. It hosts Connect Labs and multiple health tech programs.

Connect Labs Charlotte is a 30,000 sq ft shared lab and office space at The Pearl by Wexford Science & Technology. Designed for emerging medtech, biotech, and life sciences companies.

The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College provides mentorship, student consulting support, and coworking space.

Wake Forest School of Medicine opened its Charlotte campus at The Pearl, creating research and talent linkages for the health tech ecosystem.

Atrium Health is the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas with 40+ hospitals and 65,000+ employees. Partner in gBETA Charlotte Health.

Innovate Charlotte is a public-private partnership coordinating the entrepreneurial ecosystem and connecting founders to vetted resources.

Leads the innovation agenda behind The Pearl and Charlotte's Innovation District.

Geographic lead for The Pearl in Charlotte, focused on building the ecosystem around Charlotte's Innovation District.

Works on strategic partnerships and medtech opportunities at Advocate Health.

Drives digital transformation and innovation programs across Novant Health.

Executive sponsor for the Institute for Innovation & AI at Novant Health.

Technology executive at Novant Health based in Charlotte.

Focused on operational transformation and strategic initiatives at Novant Health.

Leads Siemens' 60,000 sq ft Experience Center in Charlotte's Innovation District.

Manager at Siemens Healthineers Experience Center in Charlotte.

PENTAX partners with IRCAD North America on endoscopic training and innovation at The Pearl.

National Sales Manager at PENTAX Medical based in Charlotte.