Keep your idea growing

Entrepreneurship in NC

A hackathon can be the beginning of something bigger. Find people, programs, and resources to help you take the next step.

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The Colopy Entrepreneurship Program at NCSSM

Established in 2024 through a gift from the Colopy family, the program helps students explore entrepreneurship through hands-on learning, mentorship, and support for their ideas.

It brings business principles together with creative problem-solving, helping students develop ventures that respond to real needs in their communities.

Students in red GrepBeat shirts gathered together at an entrepreneurship event.
From the Colopy program’s student community.

Take the next step.

Find funding for your idea

The program’s Grants & Resources page explains Accelerator Grants and shares a funding toolkit. Check the program’s current process and eligibility before applying.

Explore grants & resources ↗

Learn with people who’ve done it

Explore educational programming and mentorship to develop your idea beyond its first prototype.

Talk through your next move

For questions about the program, mentorship, or funding, contact entrepreneurship@ncssm.edu.

Ideas out in the world.

Presentations, conversations, and celebrations from the program.

Four students in formal attire standing together behind a presentation table.A student in a red shirt presenting beside a projected slide.Students presenting a project to an audience in a classroom.Two students smiling and holding up medals.A speaker presenting a slide about the startup ecosystem.A student holding a DECA award in a large event venue.Students seated around tables for a speaker session at NCSSM.