WE INVEST IN ENTREPRENEURS

The mission of the FutureX Traction Program is to provide an extended runway of infrastructure and programmatic support to early-stage startups and graduates of Upstate accelerator programs that have achieved product-market fit and initial revenue. The program offers a 2-year residency with wraparound resources in a community of founders at the Flywheel Greenville, SC, location.

The innovative aspects of the FutureX program involve the long-term residency in a concentrated founder community space and a Consortium of curated fractional service providers who want to work with growth-stage companies. Partners in the program include the Flywheel Foundation, the Furman Innovation Lab, Founderville.vc (a venture capital studio) and Designli (a software development firm). Additional support comes through the Flywheel Mentor Deck program.

This Sponsored Innovation Challenge is a business idea competition seeking solutions to problems that Atrium Health deeply cares about as the sponsoring institution. The Challenge seeks the submission of scalable and investable solutions to problems that lead to or create significant healthcare outcome disparities.

In alignment with Atrium Health’s Impact 2025 Strategic Priorities, successful applications by early-stage founders will focus on entrepreneurial solutions to leading indicators of Health Equity and Health Disparities as opposed to systemic lagging indicators.

The Challenge invites applications for social and technological innovations that can be applied and commercialized with demonstrated potential for social and economic impact on the following leading indicator priorities and Drivers of Health (DOH):

• • Access: Improve access for colorectal screening, A1c control, and blood pressure, behavioral health, and reduce readmissions
  • Quality and Outcomes: Eliminate disparities in mortality rates, mental health, maternal and child health
  • Acute Social Needs: Support systems, community engagement, structural discrimination
  • Drivers of Health: Economic stability and upward mobility; food security and access to healthy foods; access to affordable housing and commercial districts; affordable transportation; affordable child care, education access, and quality

The targeted population is vulnerable communities specifically, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and those at 200% of Federal Poverty.

Currently offered at the Cabarrus Center location, Spark Grants are $5,000 starter grants encouraging entrepreneurs to pursue proof of concept for innovative ideas with commercial application. In 2023 five grants were awarded, and the program will offer additional grant cycles in 2024. Funding for Spark grants is supported by Flywheel Foundation fundraising.

Companies that successfully complete the Retail Lab Bootcamp can compete for $2,500 starter grants from the Flywheel Foundation. Funding for this program comes from the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation and the NC Idea Foundation.