Tech Rising “Tech Idea Incubator Fund” Overview - 2025

 

Over the past 4 years, the Tech Idea Incubator Fund has provided $133K in grants to 24 organizations in the form of $5K-$10K  grants to seed creative ideas to foster digital inclusion. Here is a link to learn more  about  last year’s grantee’s results.  

 

These are ideas born from the participation in the Tech Rising Summit and through ongoing work among nonprofits who are focused on creating digital equity in our community. This year the summit and grant will focus on cybersecurity and AI - threats and opportunities to foster digital equity.

 

Overview of the Fund:

• There will be two grants of $10K each available.

• Preference will be given to seeding ideas that include an element of utilizing Cybersecurity and AI.

 

Funding corporate partners include: Ally Financial, AvidXchange, Google Fiber, and Honeywell.

 

Nonprofit Criteria:

• Open to every 501c3 nonprofit serving Mecklenburg County.

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Examples of types of projects/programs that could be funded, include, but are not limited to:

• Seeding or expanding Cybersecurity or AI program within your curriculum

• Collaboration with another nonprofit to pilot a program

• Expanding programs to new students who wouldn’t normally get a chance to participate

• Testing pilot ideas to see if they can be expanded to more students

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Tech Idea Fund submission process:

1. May 6th - June 31st: Tech Idea submission window is open,  all submissions must be received by 5pm on June 31st this form.

2. Late July: The winners will be announced through SHARE Charlotte communications channels and funds will be distributed via direct deposit to the nonprofits.

3. Late  December: Nonprofit to fill out a survey to highlight the impact of the grant and provide a picture.

4. Early January: SHARE Charlotte will promote the stories of impact to the community.

 

Funding Requirements:

• Nonprofits must use the funds by December 31st. 2025.

 

A.I. Support:

• For those that receivea a grant, Honeywell will provide an A.I. Coach to support the grantees program development.