NC IDEA

LoPo Diveskins produces high-end sustainable performance clothing from plastic bottles at risk of polluting our ocean.

Project Heel is a company specializing in the production of external shoe orthotics designed specifically for children. Their primary product is an orthotic-installed pair of shoes aimed at preventing toe-walking and promoting free foot movement to avoid atrophy. By addressing these issues, Project Heel helps prevent more severe problems such as shortened Achilles tendons, ensuring children can develop healthy gait patterns comfortably.

Ponybox Clothing's mission is to create a convenient and affordable way for women to discover self-expression through clothing while also reducing the negative environmental impacts caused by fast fashion.

Sister Girl Collection provides children's literature, Sister Girl apparel, Sister Girl children's home furnishings, and educational tools that encourage, motivate and enlighten children and communities.

Sani, established in 2017, aims to enhance the visibility of South Asian craftsmanship and techniques through its clothing line. The company specializes in ethnic wear that combines traditional and Western styles, offering a diverse range of fashionable options for women. Its product lineup includes tunics, workwear, festive attire, and fusion wear, featuring items such as tops, skirts, palazzos, and trousers. By focusing on modern designs at affordable prices, Sani seeks to cater to the evolving fashion needs of its customers while celebrating cultural heritage.

Three Strands Recovery Wear is a company dedicated to providing recovery garments specifically designed for women undergoing breast-related surgeries. The company specializes in post-operative bras tailored for mastectomies, breast reconstruction, augmentation, reduction, and other cosmetic procedures. By focusing on the unique needs of these patients, Three Strands Recovery Wear aims to empower women to recover with confidence and comfort during their healing process.

Up-On 3 is a clothing company that specializes in innovative apparel designed for both men and women, with a particular focus on functional yet fashionable garments. One of its standout products is the patent-pending belt-built shorts, which incorporate a unique belt handle system. This system features three strategically placed handles at the waist, allowing caregivers to assist individuals in transitioning from sitting to standing with ease and comfort. The company's mission is to blend style with practicality, ensuring that users benefit from both aesthetic appeal and functional support in their clothing choices.

RIM Helmets is a manufacturing company that offers bicycle helmets that protect the rider’s head during impact thus preventing or reducing head injury while accommodating the versatility of larger hairstyles worn by people in African American and minority communities

NURV Fit is an activewear brand that serves you no matter your health status.NURV Fit on a mission to get people moving – especially those going through chronic illnesses like cancer – because NURV Fit believe activity is the body’s most important medicine.

3 Spark Design is a manufacturer specializing in luxurious goods, offering a diverse range of high-quality soft metal finishes for furnishings. The company produces custom-designed products that include accessories, apparel, bottles, blankets, books, room sprays, and board games. By creating an immersive yet familiar retail environment, 3 Spark Design enables customers to experience a unique blend of luxury and functionality in their purchases.

Bibi Threads is a lingerie company that specializes in nursing and pumping bras designed for comfort and functionality. The company addresses the need for a versatile nursing bra and offers a range of products that support mothers during breastfeeding and pumping. Bibi Threads offers a wide range of products designed to make nursing fashion accessible, fun, and attainable.

Unbox the Dress is a fashion design company based in North Canton, Ohio, that specializes in transforming wedding dresses into customized design products and gifts. Founded in 2017, the company provides an innovative online platform where customers, particularly women with stored wedding gowns, can choose from over 40 product design options. These options include bridal accessories, children's special occasion outfits, home decor items, and framed artwork. By facilitating the upcycling of luxe garments into heirloom-quality designs, Unbox the Dress caters to a growing market of brides looking to preserve their wedding memories in meaningful ways. The company also offers a subscription-based fabric preservation and storage service, enhancing customer engagement and extending their lifetime value.

Venturing Lifestyle Designs is a consumer company that manufactures women's apparel specializing in clothing for outdoor adventures. The company offers appeals to women, enabling women with clothing that allows them to be more adventurous, athletic, and active. Venturing Lifestyle Designs was founded in 2019 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

FitMom Athletics operates as a lifestyle brand specializing in activewear designed specifically for women navigating pregnancy and postpartum stages. The company aims to enhance exercise quality, provide support, and facilitate a smooth transition through these life phases by manufacturing clothing that adapts to the body's changing needs.

Descalza is a fashion label based in Raleigh, North Carolina, that draws inspiration from Latino American culture. The company specializes in creating clothing that combines ethically sourced artisanal textiles from Latin America with contemporary fashion designs. Each product is handcrafted and made to measure, ensuring a unique fit and quality. By utilizing fair trade fabrics, Descalza enables customers to experience a blend of modern style and traditional craftsmanship, promoting sustainable practices within the fashion industry.

Bear Fiber is a company focused on enhancing the supply of cottonized hemp fiber for technical textiles in North and South Carolina as well as globally. It specializes in developing cotton-like hemp fiber that emphasizes sustainability and durability. The company meticulously evaluates the entire value chain, from raw materials to finished products, ensuring competitive service for its customers. Bear Fiber refines and upgrades American hemp fiber, blending or spinning yarns, and knitting or weaving textiles tailored for the apparel and fashion industries. This enables businesses to source sustainable finished textile goods both wholesale and retail.

4Evermore Ventures is a provider of female active wear to improve quality of life, health, and fitness. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Durham, North Carolina.

Rite of Passage is a women's clothing brand located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, specializing in high-quality textiles and apparel. The company emphasizes American-made fabrics, utilizing natural yarns and quality cotton to create its collections. By focusing on crafted clothing made from natural fibers, Rite of Passage aims to provide customers with a unique and luxurious experience in women's wear.

Sani, established in 2017, aims to enhance the visibility of South Asian craftsmanship and techniques through its clothing line. The company specializes in ethnic wear that combines traditional and Western styles, offering a diverse range of fashionable options for women. Its product lineup includes tunics, workwear, festive attire, and fusion wear, featuring items such as tops, skirts, palazzos, and trousers. By focusing on modern designs at affordable prices, Sani seeks to cater to the evolving fashion needs of its customers while celebrating cultural heritage.

Gryppers Inc. is a manufacturer based in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in multi-sport finger products designed to enhance grip and tactile sensitivity for athletes. Founded in 2011, the company produces high-quality protective accessories that help prevent injuries such as blisters, abrasions, and cuts during various sports, including basketball, golf, jiu-jitsu, football, volleyball, tennis, handball, and rugby. Gryppers aims to improve the performance and longevity of athletes and active professionals by providing stability and protection for vulnerable areas of the hands. The company also has a storage unit located in Miramar, Florida, to support its operations.

SeaChange Technologies, Inc. is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based company that specializes in developing innovative industrial wastewater treatment systems specifically for apparel manufacturers. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on creating solutions that purify complex industrial waste in a single step, effectively eliminating sludge, reducing chemical discharge, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. SeaChange’s compact treatment systems can seamlessly integrate with existing manufacturing operations, allowing businesses to manage wastewater and toxic sludge disposal while maintaining their design and supply chain processes. By transforming waste into valuable resources, SeaChange Technologies aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of industrial wastewater management.

Thimbler is an online fashion community that enables fashionists, designers, shoppers, and producers to create, sell, and buy customized clothes. It is based in Apex, North Carolina.

Spoonflower, Inc. is a fabric printing marketplace that connects shoppers, surface designers, and crafters globally. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with operations in Berlin, Germany, the company specializes in digital textile printing, allowing independent designers to create and sell unique fabric designs across various categories, including floral, vintage, and abstract. Spoonflower provides custom fabric printing services with no minimum order requirement and has expanded its offerings to include custom wallpaper and gift wrap. Using eco-friendly digital printing technology and water-based inks, the company fulfills each order on demand, catering to individuals and small businesses that create a diverse array of products such as quilts, clothing, pillows, and home decor items.