2025 North Carolina Spotlight Presenters announced!
Six inspiring entrepreneurs from North Carolina will step into the spotlight at the 2025 NC Showcase event on Wednesday, November 5 for a shot at cash and in-kind awards!
Each presenter will take the stage for 7 minutes—giving them space to tell their story, wow the judges, and win the crowd. (ie. YOU!)
Meet the six presenters!
Will one of them win North Carolina’s 2025 Crowd Favorite? Watch their 60-second pitches, then cast your votes to help decide the winner!
1. B Academics
The vision of B Academics is to advance the state of academic study into business as a force for good. B Academics is a network of educators, researchers, students and practitioners from around the world who are committed to accelerating the sustainable business movement by studying B Lab, B Corporation certification and benefit corporations. B Academics work with each other, the global B Lab network, and the B Corp community to share best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration with regard to research, teaching, and engagement.
Founder: Rachel Haynes
Website: bacademics.org
LinkedIn: B Academics | Rachel C Haynes
2. Keep Good
We leverage incredible freeze drying technology to help the folks that are solving hunger. We stop the clock on healthy, fresh foods--turning them into individually packaged meals and snacks that are shelf-stable and easy-to-eat, anytime, anywhere. We partner directly with nonprofits, ensuring a directly line between the resources and the communities that need them.
Founder: Aleksandra Stein
LinkedIn: Aleksandra Stein | Keep Good
Website: keepgoodfoods.com
3. Kind Kitchen Group
Our signature programs, including the Young Cooks Society and NourishNow initiative, serve youth ages 11-29 through after-school classes, summer camps, and community workshops that build both practical life skills and emotional resilience. Since August 2023, we've served over 3,875 students, operating on the principle that when you teach someone to cook, you give them more than a skill—you give them the power to nourish themselves and their community for a lifetime. Where food meets purpose, we're cooking up change one meal, one lesson, and one dream at a time.
Founder: Sicily Johnson
Instagram: @kindkitchengroup
LinkedIn: Kind Kitchen Group | Sicily Sierra
Website: kindkitchen.group
4. STEM Plug
STEM Plug is a Social Enterprise dedicated to helping underserved youth discover the power of STEM through culturally responsive storytelling and hands-on robotics. Our flagship character, Richie, reflects the real-life experiences of kids from underrepresented communities and helps bridge the gap between imagination and innovation. We create immersive learning experiences by combining our children's book series, like Robotic Adventures, with tools like the HydraBot and our STEM Solvers platform. Our goal is to develop 8 million young innovators by 2030, empowering students with both technical skills and social-emotional growth.
Founder: Rich Gilliam
LinkedIn: Rich Gilliam | STEM Plug
Facebook: STEM Plug
YouTube: @stemplug
Instagram:@thestemplug
Website: stemplug.com
5. The Seed List
The Seed List bridges the gap between talented students and North Carolina’s startup ecosystem. We connect students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, with paid, hands-on experiences at innovative startups, giving them the skills, confidence, and networks to thrive in an AI-driven economy. By keeping this talent local, we help build a stronger, more resilient RTP region where students can launch their careers and startups can grow with the workforce they need.
Founder: Amanda Stockwell
Website: theseedlist.org
LinkedIn: The Seed List | Amanda Stockwell
6. Utume
Utume creates non-academic online courses that promote personal development and human flourishing for teens and adults. Topics include DEI, Emotional Self-Regulation & Executive Function skill-building. We deliver often overlooked critical life skills in a lively and engaging format.
Founder: Denise Stroud
Linkedin: Denise Stroud
Website: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/0nmibXJCj8Hst
Don’t miss the BIG party!
These ventures are READY to share their visions—and you can have a front row seat at the grand finale Showcase event on Wednesday, November 5 from 6:30-9pm at American Underground, Durham, NC! This event is free and open to the public (bring a friend!)