Ideas

Janet Cowell
Former State Treasurer | North Carolina

Public Venture Capital

Idea Category: Jobs and Entrepreneurship

Problem

In order to drive economic growth and create jobs in the changing economy, states like North Carolina must find ways to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. North Carolina currently has a great talent pool for entrepreneurs but lacks sufficient access to venture capital to fund new businesses. Many talented entrepreneurs are therefore moving elsewhere to seek funds to drive their new business ideas. 

Solution

Treasurer Janet Cowell is supporting legislation to create a Venture Multiplier Fund that will help grow the local economy by prioritizing investments in new businesses and local university innovation. This proposal would allow the Department of State Treasurer to invest a small portion of the state’s unclaimed property fund with the new Venture Multiplier fund. The fund would prioritize early-stage and smaller private-sector businesses while also creating seed capital for North Carolina’s universities to stimulate commercialization of university technology innovations across the state.

More Idea’s From Janet Cowell

The Education and Economic Engine Endowment

Idea Category: Education | Funding Source: ARP

Financial Literacy For All

Idea Category: Safety Net | Funding Source: ARP

A Better Way for Teachers: The 403(b) Option

Idea Category: Education | Funding Source: ARP

Global Benefits Management Program

Idea Category: Smart Government | Funding Source: ARP

County and Municipal Fiscal Analysis Dashboard

Idea Category: Smart Government | Funding Source: ARP