Develop. Launch. Succeed.

Develop your idea, create your prototype, secure grants, launch your business, and in doing so, we create jobs and grow the economy of North Carolina.

 

WELCOME TO FIRST FLIGHT

The Home of "High Science, High Impact" Technological Innovation

First Flight is one of the nation's largest, most stable incubators with a proven record of success. We've hosted more than 400 companies, launched businesses that have commercializing and impactful new technologies, and created thousands of jobs. We have the experience and ecosystem you need for success.

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Our Impact

The numbers tell the story better than we ever could. First Flight is proud to say that since 1991, our companies have accumulated a market capitalization of $20 billion, a truly remarkable number. Additionally, in 2023, First Flight companies filed over 28 patents and raised over $4,454,000 million in grants.

20
BILLION

Market Cap for First Flight Grads

420+
COMPANIES

In 33 years

323
MILLION

Investment Funds raised by equity since inception by 2023 Companies

34.6
MILLION

Grants Awarded to Companies while at First Flight in 2023

119

Patents currently held

50
Minority/ Women

employed by current First Flight companies

 
 

Our community supports your work.

Our community is an inspiring mix of start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, advisors and alumni. A collaborative spirit is part of our makeup, so you’ll have plenty of resources willing to share, advise or just talk.

 

 

OUR PROGRAMS

Our programs meet you

where you are at

First Flight propels early-stage science companies through the delivery of comprehensive resources and empowers innovators to transform good ideas into great successes. We use our Runway to Success to meet our companies where they are in their business life cycle to improve their probability of success

 
 
 

LET’S GET STARTED

We have labs, office spaces, programs, and so much more!

We are not a real estate company with long term leases. We’re a non-profit with a mission to help you develop your idea, create your prototype, secure grants, launch your business, and in doing so, we create jobs and grow the economy of North Carolina.


Our focus is on creating the support you need, not square foot pricing or occupancy rates. Our spaces are affordable and customizable wet labs, offices, power drops, sinks whatever you need. And our flexible leases evolve with you.

25,000 SQUARE FEET OF CONFIGURABLE SPACE

OUR PARTNERS

FIRST FLIGHT CHAMPIONS OF INNOVATION

Without the generous support of these companies and individuals, we would not be able to create & maintain services and programs for early stage companies.

 
 

 SUPPORT JOB CREATION

Support our work.

First Flight is a non-profit. We don’t use federal or state funding for sustaining daily operations. Our residents benefit from the expertise and services of a community comprised of corporate service providers for early stage companies, foundations, and individual donors. With our generous supporters, we’re able to meet the ongoing needs of our startups. You can support our mission to advance game-changing technologies and create jobs with donations of time, equipment, resources, and financial gifts.

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