The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is accepting applications for its newest program aimed at helping business owners grow and strengthen their businesses.
The center’s new Thrive Lab will offer a series of sessions that focus on finance, funding, sales, product strategy and leadership beginning in March.
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“Entrepreneurs will also build a strong peer network and receive hands-on support to develop the mindset and capabilities of CEOs, CFOs and CPOs, all while preserving the unique strengths that make their businesses thrive,” according to a university release.
The lab will run through May and is open to qualified business owners across all industries. The deadline to apply is Feb. 27. Space is limited. Additional details are available on the lab’s website.
Wells Fargo’s contribution to the program covers half of the original cost to attend the lab, lowering the total fee to $750.
According to a study by the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State in collaboration with Fayetteville State University released in 2024, adopting policies and initiatives to help 5% of “aspirational” businesses become self-sufficient will create more than 24,000 jobs annually and $980 million in new wages.
Thrive Lab was created in response to those findings as targeted effort to help strengthen businesses and support long-term entrepreneurial growth in coastal North Carolina, according to the release.
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“It’s relatively easy to start a business, but many fail within a year and only half make it to five years,” UNCW CIE Director Heather McWhorter stated in the release. “Even more striking are the entrepreneurs who don’t pay themselves and who are stuck year after year. CIE’s Thrive Lab will give entrepreneurs and small business owners the tools and connections they need to succeed and to scale, leading to direct impact for our students and community.”
