Consultant Portfolio Services
The CIE Consultant Portfolio Services program offers one-on-one consulting to prepare entrepreneurs for success in presenting to investors, applying for competitive accelerators, and seeking grants. The program has evolved out of the work Leveragent has provided to CIE entrepreneurs since in 2016. Originally brought in for his program PerfectPitch, a training seminar to help entrepreneurs develop and effectively present to investors, and to work individually with four entrepreneurs, Chris Mather quickly became the CIE’s ‘go-to’ resource for entrepreneurs preparing for any type of competitive presentation. Chris is president of Leveragent, a consulting firm that offers fractional executive services, designs entrepreneurial development programs, provides exit strategy planning, and delivers training programs to help entrepreneurs deliver effective presentations. Chris was formerly a regional advisor for Jumpstart Community Advisors, president of JumpStart TechLift Advisors, and vice president – entrepreneurship for NorTech.
Entrepreneur Cathy Maready captures how portfolio clients benefit from this program:
"I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated, but more importantly, learned from Chris as a coach for my start-up with Vavaroom. His attention to all details, both large and seemingly minute, made it possible for me to be able to consolidate thoughts, numbers and theories that were so needed to present to a larger audience. The skills I learned not only helped me in a presentation to NC IDEA/SOAR, but they continue to help me in interactions with prospective investors and customers."
Through mid-2019, the Portfolio Program has included services to 28 entrepreneurs. Among them are:
- Fish 2.0 finalists – Kepley BioSystems, Sandbar Oyster Company, ShellBond, and Shell Tracker
- Women-lead ventures selected for SOAR cohort – Anahata Swimwear, myBeeHive, SkillyDo, Vavaroom,
- University spinouts – CISME, Tick Rover, Uni-Spire,
- Creative Startup Accelerator participants – FireLux, Kidobit
- State tech and competition award winners – Brilliant Sole, Candy Compass, Renaissance Fiber, StoolDuel
- Emerging tech and innovation companies – Bioenergetix, DrumWaiter, GastroGirl, QuoteQuest, SWELL Systems, Surgilum
Entrepreneurs with innovative ventures planning to present to investors or applying for competitive programs or grants (including NC IDEA SEED and MICRO grants) are encouraged to request Consultant Portfolio Program services.
