Wireless Research Center Of North Carolina

DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSITY-FOCUSED INTERNET OF THINGS STARTUP ACCELERATOR SERVING AREAS OF NC AND VA THAT LEVERAGES EXISTING UNIVERSITY COURSES, PART

PURPOSE: THE PROPOSAL OUTLINES A SET OF ACTIVITIES TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN DIVERSIFYING DIGITAL TALENT AND CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE PROJECT PLANS TO BUILD ON EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS AND TO DEVELOP NEW PARTNERS TO IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: PHASE II OF THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND EXPAND THEIR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BY PROVIDING ENHANCED CONSULTING AND DIGITAL UPSKILLING. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO LOOK FOR NEW PARTNERS BUILD CAPACITY, EXPAND THE KNOWLEDGE BASE, AND ATTRACT INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROJECT WILL LAUNCH ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH INITIATIVES BY OFFERING OFFER STARTUPS ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO ACCELERATE THEIR BUSINESS MODELS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO EXPERT CONSULTING SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SEED FUNDING. LASTLY, THE PROJECT WILL LOOK FOR SUSTAINABLE FUNDING. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO REACH OUT TO NEW COMMUNITIES IN ADDITIONAL COUNTIES IN COLORADO AND PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND SECOND CHANCE PROGRAMS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY SUSTAINABLE FUNDING AND DEVELOP A SCALABLE AND ADAPTABLE MODEL THAT CAN BE REPLICATED IN OTHER REGIONS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT ARE THE OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF SMALL BUSINESS, STARTUPS, JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS, AND MORE GENERALLY INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THERE ARE NO PLANNED SUBAWARDS.

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP OPPORTUNITY GRANT