Location plays a critical role in launching a business, and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening the foundation for small businesses in our community. New Hanover County offers a thriving ecosystem with supportive investors, incubators, accelerators, engaged business schools, a favorable business climate, and strong entrepreneurial networks - everything an entrepreneur needs to succeed.

At the Wilmington Chamber, we recognize the essential impact small businesses have on our local economy. We also understand the challenges entrepreneurs face: limited resources, evolving customer segments, and shifting goals that demand adaptability. That’s why we take a long-term, relationship-driven approach, working closely with small business leaders to understand their unique opportunities and obstacles. Our goal is to help eliminate barriers, enabling businesses to grow and thrive.

If you’d like to connect, please reach out to Josh Hallingse, Vice President of Small Business Development & Retention, at hallingse@wilmingtonchamber.org. We look forward to learning about your business.

Entrepreneurship networks and angel investing groups provide small business owners with vital opportunities to gain visibility, access mentorship, and secure early-stage funding, helping them accelerate growth, strengthen connections, and open doors to long-term success.

• One Million Cups Wilmington: As part of the national One Million Cups movement, the Wilmington chapter hosts weekly gatherings where entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a supportive audience of peers, mentors, and community leaders. Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to attend each week to learn and network. Individuals with a business less than 5 years old are welcome to attend and encouraged to present to gain presentation experience, receive constructive feedback, and some public exposure.

 

• VentureSouth – Wilmington Chapter: An angel investment network that fuels early-stage companies with critical funding and mentorship. VentureSouth connects entrepreneurs with accredited investors who provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and industry expertise. By building these relationships, local startups can accelerate growth, gain access to new markets, and scale sustainably.

 

• Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) & Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE): NEW offers monthly education events and WALE makes early-stage investments in Wilmington-based startup firms.    

Finding funding is often one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. Fortunately, there are several resources available locally and regionally:

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): Organizations like Partner Community Capital, Carolina Community Impact, REV Federal Credit Union, and Corning Credit Union provide loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs who may not qualify through traditional banks.

• Local Lenders: Regional banks and credit unions such as Live Oak Bank (headquartered in Wilmington and the nation’s largest SBA lender), First National Bank, Atlantic Union Bank, First Citizens Bank, Bank of America, and United Bank all provide tailored small business products.

• Competitive Grants: NC IDEA is a statewide organization dedicated to helping North Carolinians reach their entrepreneurial potential by providing programming and seed capital opportunities. Its most common grant cycles include the NC IDEA MICRO and NC IDEA SEED programs.

• Angel & Venture Capital: In addition to traditional lending options, early-stage businesses can pursue angel and venture capital funding. VentureSouth Wilmington is an angel investment network that supports startups across the Southeastern U.S., while WALE focuses specifically on the Wilmington market. For companies that have grown beyond angel and seed funding, Wilmington is home to Live Oak Ventures, Canapi Ventures, and Eshelman Ventures, each targeting strategic sectors.

• Biotechnology Funding: The NC Biotechnology Center offers several funding programs designed to bridge gaps in technology development and company growth.

• Commercial Property Financing: The NC C-PACE program enables qualifying commercial property owners to secure long-term financing from private capital providers for eligible improvements, up to 35% of the property’s value.

No business grows alone. Wilmington entrepreneurs have access to free and low-cost business counseling, mentorship, and planning support:

• Cape Fear Community College, Small Business Center: Provides free and confidential counseling along with a wide range of no-cost, in-person and virtual educational opportunities. Enrollment in a specific community degree/certification program is not a requirement. Ideal if you live or own a business in New Hanover or Pender counties.  

 

• Brunswick Community College, Small Business Center: Provides free and confidential counseling along with a wide range of no-cost, in-person and virtual educational opportunities. Enrollment in a specific community degree/certification program is not a requirement. Ideal if you live or own a business in Brunswick County.

 

• SCORE Cape Fear Region: Experienced mentors offering free, confidential guidance for entrepreneurs.

 

• Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC): Based at UNCW, provides in-depth counseling for business strategy, growth, and exporting.

 

• UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE): A hub for startups, connecting them to mentorship, resources, and university talent.

 

• Small Business Administration (SBA): The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), through its North Carolina District Office, supports entrepreneurs with loan guarantees (7(a), 504, and microloans), disaster assistance, federal contracting opportunities, and free or low-cost business counseling and training via local resource partners.

 

• Genesis Block: Focused on minority- and women-owned businesses, offering a structured startup accelerator and mentoring programs.

 

• Channel, powered by Live Oak Bank: A platform connecting entrepreneurs with expertise, funding, and resources to help small businesses grow. 

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) is the 5^th largest in North Carolina and operates four campuses in the southeastern region. These include locations in downtown Wilmington, Burgaw, Castle Hayne, and Surf City. In addition to two-year degree and certificate programs, CFCC administers and delivers customized training for our area, as offered by the North Carolina Community College System. Customized Training Projects are available for businesses making a capital investment, deploying new technology, creating jobs, and/or expanding an existing workforce.

NCWorks Career Center is part of a statewide operation that offers an office in downtown Wilmington. NCWorks offers a variety of services to New Hanover County Job Seekers and Businesses. For Employers, some of the opportunities offered include job posting services, job fairs, recruitment assistance, labor market information, and tax credit and/or hiring incentives.  

UNC Wilmington is the largest public university in southeastern North Carolina. Total annual enrollment exceeds 18,000 students per year. Alongside undergraduate and graduate programs, the institution also offers executive education, continuing education, and partnerships that connect students with local businesses.

North Carolina Department of Commerce launched the First in Talent: Strategic Economic Development Plan for the State of North Carolina in 2021. The plan seeks to utilize the state’s resources in sourcing the best talent in the nation for business and industry. MyFutureNC serves as a partner in this plan-offering resources for educating North Carolina’s population for the current jobs available in North Carolina. These resources can be used by employers for ideas and creative ways to address workforce development in their organizations.

Innovation often starts with collaboration. Wilmington is home to a growing ecosystem of hubs, networks, and resources that support entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. These organizations help connect ideas to capital, provide space to grow, and foster the partnerships that turn vision into reality.

• UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE): Co-working space, mentorship, and programming for startups and early-stage ventures.

 

• North Carolina Biotechnology Center Southeastern Office: Expanding opportunities in life sciences and biotech through funding, networking, and support.

 

• NC IDEA: Statewide foundation providing grants, mentorship, and programs to support early-stage companies. 

 

• NC Innovation: Provides grant funding and support to public-university applied researchers working on discoveries that have commercial promise. 

 

• NC Military Business Center: A statewide organization helping business owners leverage military and other federal business opportunities. The NCMBC offers education, contract-matching services, and industry conferences.

From historic downtown charm to modern community hubs, Wilmington’s coworking spaces offer inspiring places to work, connect, and create — each designed to fit your lifestyle and business needs.

• 717 Mkt: Office collaborative located near downtown Wilmington, which provides a thoughtfully designed environment with private offices, team studios, and premium amenities.

• Blue Mind Coworking: A spacious, centrally located coworking venue off Racine Drive near shops and restaurants for convenient breaks and errands.

• Channel, Powered by Live Oak Bank: Space for minority and woman-owned businesses. Channel hosts discussions and workshops that help entrepreneurs navigate essential topics for their operations.

• The Common Desk – Wilmington: Located in a renovated historic building on Front Street, this space blends modern amenities with a touch of local charm.

• CoWorx: Offers flexible, creative workspace in Wilmington’s vibrant Cargo District. Features include 24/7 access, virtual office options, and inclusive community gatherings.

• Elevate Coworking: Designed specifically for women, this community-oriented space emphasizes wellness and empowerment.

• UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE): This coworking space includes a mix of private offices and common work stations, regular educational programming, and opportunities for collaboration.  

Process Your Export Documents with Ease

We have partnered with Chamber Export to assist your business's export document needs.

These documents include Certificates of Origin, Commercial Invoices, and Packing Lists, which are used to verify that goods originated in or were processed in a particular country. The documents are processed electronically, eliminating courier costs and the need for paper processing, and reducing turnaround time—typically in less than an hour. Certificates of Free Sale and Letter of Verification are also available to be processed manually.

Types of Export Documents

●      Electronic Documents - We process certificates of origin, commercial invoices, and packing lists quickly and securely, through our electronic software so you are able to ship internationally with ease. Get Started.

●      Certificates of Free Sale - Based on a sworn affidavit from your company, we are able to process certificates of free sale so that international importers are assured your product is freely sold in the United States of America. This document will be notarized and eligible for an apostille with the North Carolina Secretary of State. Get Started.

●      Letters of Verification - With our on-staff notary, we are able to process certificates of verification with accuracy and timeliness. This document will be notarized and eligible for an apostille with the North Carolina Secretary of State. Get Started.

Exporters and freight forwarders now have a seamless and streamlined electronic solution for export document processing. Visit ChamberExport.com to learn more and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certificate of Origin?

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is a document that states the origin of goods being exported. Virtually every country in the world considers the origin of imported goods when determining what duty will be assessed on the goods or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.

What is a Certificate of Free Sales (COFS)?

A Certificate of Free Sale allows an exporter to declare to the importing country that the goods are sold in the USA. When regulated by a government agency (FDA, Department of Agriculture, etc), that agency would likely need to issue the COFS.

What is a Letter of Verification / Authentication?

A Letter of Verification/Authentication is a document to verify the authenticity of any other document or proof needed in the export process. The Carolina Chamber Export Assistance Center will produce this document letterhead and create it based on the affidavit provided by the exporter and verified against the proof as outlined by the exporter.

Why do I need a Certificate of Origin?

This document is important because it provides evidence to the importing country that the goods being shipped were actually produced in the country of origin that is claimed by the exporter. This is vital because certain countries may have trade agreements or regulations in place that require the imported goods to be of a certain origin or meet certain standards. Having a certificate of origin authorized by a chamber of commerce can also help to expedite the customs clearance process in the importing country, as it provides the necessary documentation to verify the origin of the goods. This can help to reduce delays, costs, and potential legal issues associated with importing goods without proper documentation.

Why do I have to use a Chamber of Commerce?

Chambers of commerce have been issuing non-preferential certificates of origin since as early as 1898. The 1923 Geneva Convention and subsequent Kyoto Convention have seen governments formally recognize the important role chambers play in this domain, deeming them competent authorities and credible trusted third-parties in the issuance of COs. Since 1923, chambers of commerce are the official body that signs and stamps certificates of origin for exporters.

How long does it take to process a document?

The documents are processed electronically through a technology called essCert, eliminating courier costs, the need for paper processing, and reducing turnaround time (the average turnaround is less than an hour). We guarantee a 24-hour business day turnaround time.

When do I need to provide a U.S. Certificate of Origin?

An exporter needs a certificate of origin to provide evidence that the goods being shipped were produced or manufactured in a particular country. This is important for complying with trade regulations and for claiming preferential treatment under certain trade agreements. The certificate of origin also helps customs officials determine the appropriate duty or tariff to apply to the imported goods.

Economic Snapshot

An overview of current economic trends in southeastern North Carolina, including employment rates, population growth, housing starts, and business investment. Updated quarterly, this resource highlights the momentum of our local economy and tracks shifts that may impact strategic decision-making.