First Flight Venture Center

We’re excited to welcome Shujian Zhang, Ph.D., MBA, to the First Flight Venture Center Navigator community! With more than 20 years of experience across agricultural biotechnology, life sciences, R&D leadership, product development, and innovation partnerships, Shujian brings a wealth of knowledge to the entrepreneurs and innovators in our community. As Founder & Principal Consultant of Nexus BioStrategy, he advises agricultural biotechnology and life-science organizations on technology assessment, product strategy, partnerships, fundraising and grant strategy, and commercialization—helping translate promising science into viable products and real-world impact. Throughout his career, Shujian has worked with startups and emerging biotechnology companies as a scientist, R&D leader, executive, advisor, and consultant. His experience spans technologies including RNA, peptides, microbial solutions, gene editing, and bioanalytical platforms, giving him a unique perspective on moving complex scientific innovations from discovery toward the market. What drew Shujian to First Flight is a shared belief: great science and technology alone aren't enough to build a successful company. Founders also need trusted guidance, strong partnerships, and access to people who can help them navigate the journey from innovation to impact. We’re thrilled to have Shujian bringing his experience, curiosity, and passion for helping innovators move great ideas forward to our Navigator community. Welcome aboard, Shujian! We’re glad to have you helping the next generation of innovators take flight. #FirstFlightVentureCenter #Navigators #Biotechnology #AgBiotech #LifeSciences #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #NCInnovation #Startups

We’re excited to welcome Ben Hu to the First Flight Venture Center Navigator community! A North Carolina native who recently returned to the state after a decade on the West Coast, Ben brings deep experience in MedTech, cardiovascular interventions, clinical strategy, and commercialization to the Navigator team. As Principal & Founder of Parallax MedTech Consulting, Ben advises MedTech companies on product, clinical, and commercial strategies that help build enterprise value. His experience spans both startups and global organizations, including Jupiter Endovascular, Neptune Medical, Stryker, and Medtronic. Now back in NC, Ben is looking for ways to help grow the startup ecosystem he calls home—especially the Triangle’s potential to become a leading MedTech hub. We’re thrilled to have his experience, perspective, and passion for the region joining our Navigator community. Welcome aboard, Ben! We’re glad to have you helping the next generation of innovators take flight. #FirstFlightVentureCenter #Navigators #MedTech #MedicalDevices #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TriangleNC #NCInnovation #Startups

Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo sport. It’s a team sport. That’s just one of the many insights First Flight Venture Center President & CEO Krista Covey shared recently on Steve Rao's Leaders & Legends podcast. RadioNyra USA Krista talked about what it takes to build companies that make an impact — from being coachable and building the right team to creating something people actually want and are willing to pay for. She also shared why supporting early-stage science and technology companies is about much more than startups. It’s about creating jobs, building wealth, developing talent, and strengthening North Carolina’s economy. With more than 430 companies graduated from First Flight Venture Center and billions in market capitalization represented across those companies, the impact of innovation here in the Triangle is significant. And there’s more ahead. As Krista put it, “The sky’s the limit.” ✈️ Watch the full conversation to hear Krista discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, AI, access to capital, international partnerships, the future of First Flight Venture Center, and what makes the Research Triangle such a powerful place to build. Watch the full interview on YouTube https://lnkd.in/exiVnYTC #FirstFlightVentureCenter #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #DeepTech #ResearchTrianglePark #NorthCarolina #EconomicDevelopment #StartupEcosystem

Every groundbreaking company started as an idea that challenged the status quo. Innovation requires the courage to think differently, take calculated risks, and keep moving forward—even when others don't yet see the vision. What's one "crazy" idea you think the world will be talking about in five years? #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #FounderJourney #Leadership #Technology #ScienceInnovation #InnovationEcosystem #FirstFlightVentureCenter

This week's Captain's Circle Lunch & Learn welcomed Julie Zelman Davis and Sarah Kenyon from the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation for an insightful session on "Navigating the Choppy Seas of Capital Raising." Our founders gained practical guidance on the capital-raising journey, including: ⚓ A funding roadmap to help identify the right financing path ⚓ The essential building blocks of raising capital ⚓ Resources and tools available through the SEC's Office of the Advocate ⚓ A deeper understanding of exempt offerings and the rules that help entrepreneurs raise capital with confidence For many startups, navigating securities regulations can feel overwhelming. Julie and Sarah broke down complex topics into practical, actionable guidance, equipping our founders with resources they can use as they continue to grow. With 80% of net new jobs since 2011 created by small businesses, empowering entrepreneurs with education and access to trusted resources has never been more important. We're grateful to Julie and Sarah for investing their time and expertise in our innovation community and helping our founders chart a stronger course toward growth. Thank you for supporting the entrepreneurs who are building what's next. #CaptainsCircle #CapitalRaising #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SmallBusiness #SEC #FounderResources #StartupEcosystem #FirstFlightVentureCenter

Please join us in welcoming Jesse Jur as the new Senior Director of Innovation Ecosystems and Strategic Initiatives at First Flight Venture Center! 🚀 Jesse brings an extraordinary track record of building partnerships that turn innovative ideas into real-world impact. His career spans leadership in state government, academia, advanced manufacturing, and research, where he has championed technology commercialization, defense innovation, economic development, and strategic collaboration across North Carolina and beyond. From shaping statewide innovation initiatives at the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation to leading multidisciplinary research and industry partnerships, Jesse has consistently helped connect the right people, resources, and opportunities to accelerate innovation. His passion for strengthening innovation ecosystems and empowering entrepreneurs makes him an exceptional addition to our team. As First Flight Venture Center continues to expand its impact, Jesse's vision, collaborative leadership, and deep commitment to North Carolina's innovation community will help us create even greater opportunities for founders, startups, and partners. Welcome to the team, Jesse! We're excited for what we'll accomplish together.

We're grateful to WRAL TechWire and Steve Rao for highlighting the impact First Flight Venture Center has had on North Carolina's innovation ecosystem—and, more importantly, the incredible entrepreneurs who make that impact possible. Every startup has a story. Behind every breakthrough are founders taking risks, researchers solving complex problems, mentors giving their time, and partners who believe in what's possible. We're fortunate to play a small part in helping those ideas grow into companies that create jobs, improve lives, and strengthen our region. For more than 30 years, we've been committed to supporting science and technology entrepreneurs, and we're just as excited about what's ahead as we are proud of what we've accomplished together. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We couldn't do it without you. Read the full story below—we're honored to share it. #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #NorthCarolina #ResearchTriangle #StartupEcosystem #LifeSciences #DeepTech #EconomicDevelopment https://lnkd.in/etzHunyN

We're grateful to WRAL TechWire and Steve Rao for highlighting the impact First Flight Venture Center has had on North Carolina's innovation ecosystem—and, more importantly, the incredible entrepreneurs who make that impact possible. Every startup has a story. Behind every breakthrough are founders taking risks, researchers solving complex problems, mentors giving their time, and partners who believe in what's possible. We're fortunate to play a small part in helping those ideas grow into companies that create jobs, improve lives, and strengthen our region. For more than 30 years, we've been committed to supporting science and technology entrepreneurs, and we're just as excited about what's ahead as we are proud of what we've accomplished together. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We couldn't do it without you. Read the full story below—we're honored to share it. #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #NorthCarolina #ResearchTriangle #StartupEcosystem #LifeSciences #DeepTech #EconomicDevelopment https://lnkd.in/etzHunyN

AMAZING! Way to go Dr. Balaji Vasudevan, Ph.D.!!! 👏 👏 👏

If you're developing a cancer-focused technology or life science innovation, understanding how to access federal funding can make all the difference. Join First Flight Venture Center, this Wednesday, for a special hybrid event featuring Dr. Monique Pond and Dr. Melissa Li from the NCI SBIR Development Center. They'll share practical guidance on NIH and NCI SBIR/STTR funding, what reviewers look for in successful proposals, and resources available to help small businesses bring new technologies to market. This is a great opportunity to learn directly from the people who manage these programs, ask questions, and connect with fellow founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. We hope you'll join us. Register using the QR code on the flyer or through the registration link. #SBIRSTTR #NIH #NCI #LifeSciences #Biotech #CancerInnovation #StartupFunding #ResearchCommercialization #Innovation #FirstFlightVentureCenter