It's a treat to connect again! 🎃 Stardust Startups turned 9 on September 28th, and we have
started our 10th year of supporting emerging entrepreneurs. What an incredible treat this continues to be! Over the past year, a lot has happened: 💡 A New Stardust Opportunity In collaboration with NC State University’s “Blue Economy
Innovation Program”, Stardust Startups NC (SSNC) launched the $500 Coastal Idea Challenge. - For emerging entrepreneurs building an idea for a Blue Economy
endeavor that could have a positive social and environmental impacts
- Ideas had to relate to Blue Economy challenges/opportunities demonstrated in coastal
North Carolina
- Addressing one or both Sustainable Development Goals:
- Climate Action: heat and water-related coastal issues
- Sustainable Communities: economic and environmental resilience in the face of climatic and human-driven
vulnerabilities
Keep scrolling to meet the winners of the Spring 2024 edition! 🥳 And stay tuned for our Fall 2024 call for ideas. 💬 Blue Economy Gatherings “Come Hell & High Water” Business Fora
(March and May) Stardust Board Members Jean Palmer-Moloney and Fran Pigott-Harding met with local business leaders in Morehead City to: - Discover business community challenges related to heat and water-related coastal
flooding issues
- Explore eastern NC’s economic and environmental/biodiversity vulnerability and
vitality
- Learn about existing blue economy innovations in our
area
- Leave with a list of needs/wants for achieving climate-compatible, future-focused,
transformative coastal business communities
Downtown Morehead
City, Inc “Coffee and Conversation”
The Crystal Coast Business community is aware of changes already taking place where we live and work: temperatures are rising, storms are more intense, flooding happens more often and is more extensive, new roads are opening, and there’s a housing shortage, to name a
few! - What action is needed now?
- What what will it take to get the transformative solutions our
coastal communities need?
- How we can build a community of resilient businesses protected
against climate-related damage, disruptions, and closures?
✍️ Two New Original Blog Articles |
Unpacking Uncertainty:
What It Means to Work and Innovate Within Today’s Life, Business & Climate Unknowns |
Courage Investing: The
Positive Climate Action of Stardust Startups North Carolina |
🏆 Meet the Winners of the Spring 2024 $500 Coastal Idea Challenge |
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Elizabeth Ivory Albatross Aerobotics |
Garrett Mitchell Nautigen Bio |
And we’re off to a great start for the new business year… 🚀 |
💸 SSNC's $3,000 Microgrant A request for proposals was shared with those who submitted
ideas for the Coastal Idea Challenge and generally with those participating in the NCSU Blue Economy Program and UNC-Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s “Idea Lab.” Proposals that were received are currently under review. Announcement of this
year’s winner will be on November 29th, so stand by! 🤝 Collaboration with NC State University's Blue Economy Innovation
Program |
How are rising sea levels, increasingly intense storms, and
overtourism are increasingly threatening the livelihoods and traditions of coastal NC communities? How do economic and environmental vitality go hand in hand? What can strengthen this relationship? Stardust Startups is collaborating with NC State’s entrepreneurial program to encourage bright and
motivated early stage entrepreneurs to work actively on innovative answers. Jean represented SSNC in
The 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 held in Morehead City on October 14th and 15th. The goal was to foster collaboration and develop forward-thinking strategies for sustainable ocean management, marine innovation, and the resilience of
coastal economies. 🌊 The conference featured a range of inspiring speakers, from entrepreneurs to leading scientists, all pushing the boundaries of Blue Economy innovation. Jean is scheduled to be
featured on the NC State Blue Economy podcast on November 21st. She’ll be speaking about the challenges and opportunities of her small business, Visual Teaching Technologies, and being the founder of a woman-owned small business in coastal NC. 👕 New Stardust Startups Merch Campaign Coming Soon! We're thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our holiday
fundraising campaign, where you'll have the opportunity to support Stardust by purchasing our exclusive t-shirts and hoodies. Featuring a fun, unisex design, these items make the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list, so stay tuned for more details and get ready
to shop for a cause! Our previous design looking great on longtime Stardust
supporter Steve! |
Until next time, Laura Jean & Camille Co-founders |
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Forward this email to your family and
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