As the first Autism/IDD-focused venture financing organization in the Triangle, EngageNC Ventures supports early-stage businesses that are intentional about employing adults with Autism/Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD). 

Having a lasting and meaningful impact on these individuals’ lives is at the heart of EngageNC’s business model.  We place equal importance on creating jobs for our client population and assuring financial returns so the funds can be recirculated to create even more jobs.

Financing Philosophy

EngageNC Ventures provides financing that meets specific employment criteria:

• The number of employees with Autism/IDD an applicant creates and maintains is critical to financing decisions.

• Commitment to positive and measurable impact on meaningful employment for our target population.

• Management in place with active founders/owners.

• Financing through low interest notes, loans and sponsorships.

• Rigorous social and financial valuation to ensure that companies have the potential to provide a strong blended social and financial return.

• The jobs created have to be meaningful in terms of quality of work and environment. While some such jobs may be routine, it would be important to teach transferable skills.

• Located in the Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC.

In addition to financial investment, EngageNC Ventures provides business advisory services to its portfolio companies, increasing the value of the investment and helping improve the likelihood of success.

In 2019 EngageNC met Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans, NC State Park Scholars and founders of 321Coffee. Lindsay and Michael created 321 Coffee to employ adults with Autism/IDD, so EngageNC provided mentorship, feedback, and financing that enabled 321 to leverage support and reach their first fundraising goal. 321Coffee now has three locations (soon to be six), partnerships with multiple companies, and a roasting facility that ships product to over 35 states. They are recipients of the Oatley Big Idea Grant and were voted the Best Coffee Shop in Raleigh. Founder Lindsay Wrege has been recognized as Raleigh’s 20 in their 20s.

EngageNC Ventures provided a sponsorship of $50,000 to 321 Coffee to help fund a fully accessible roasting facility, allowing them to hire additional employees with disabilities. The funds will be used for adapting machines, processes, and the facility to make the roasting, packaging and shipping all operationally accessible to their employees. 

With the ongoing success of HANDmeUPs thrift and 321 Coffee, EngageNC is leveraging its financial resources to help other new or expanding businesses who are committed to hiring adults with Autism/IDD.