Mission
To propel early-stage science companies through the delivery of comprehensive resources, and to empower innovators to transform good ideas into great successes.
Vision
To be a global center of excellence empowering science innovators to impact positive change.
Values
Entrepreneurship: We live the ethos of Entrepreneurship by bringing value to all we encounter.
Integrity: We will be genuine; we will be honest; we will live our values.
Collaboration: At First Flight we don’t walk alone and neither will you.
Inclusion: We believe access to resources for ALL science innovators must be reflected in all our actions.
Through our Hangar6 offerings, First Flight aims to support entrepreneurs and startups who are developing high-science, high-impact, high-technology prototypes in their path to commercialization through the development and fabrication of mechanical and electronic devices.
Company History
|
1983
New Technology Jobs Act creates North Carolina Technology Development Authority |
» |
1991
NCDTA becomes NFP: spun out of Department of Commerce |
» |
2002
NCTDA becomes a self-sustaining entity; government funding ceases |
|
2009
NCTDA changes its name to First Flight Venture Center, Inc. |
» |
2017
Hangar6 launched |
» |
2020
NCMEP established partnership with First Flight and Hangar6 |
Services
- Test Flight (Pitch Practice)
- Itineraries (Science Talks)
- Talking Shop (Hangar6)
- Navigators (Mentoring)
- Captain’s Circle (Peer Group)
- Hangar6 (Prototyping and Design Studio)
- Liftoff (Education)
- DRIVe Initiative (Education)
- Propeller (Education)
- Wheels UP (Education)
The Team
Krista Covey
CEO and President
Andrea Conner
Ecosystem Development Director
Emil Runge
Director of Programs, DRIVe Initiative
Ben Provan
Director of Hangar6
Darlene Bascombe
Office Manager
James Wagner
Accounting Manager
Kathy Morris
Controller
Danielle Galmore
Program Facilitator
Colleen Lozano
Marketing
Anne Schwab
Administration Support
Ashley Davis
Program Manager
Jak Kesselring
Program Manager
What Customers are Saying
“Moving into First Flight was one of the best decisions I made when we started NALA. Being there was formative to who we are as a company. NALA Membranes was a resident at FFVC for four years and very early on we became part of the First Flight Family. Over that time NALA grew from an idea funded by NSF to an emerging CleanTech company supported by Venture Capital. We took advantage of First Flight programming and support opportunities that helped us build contacts, camaraderie, and experience that we needed. First Flight isn’t fancy but it’s functional, educational, and feels like home.”
