Posted on June 03, 2025
Hey there from Winston-Salem, North Carolina!
I’m JD Houvener, patent attorney, founder, and proud owner of Bold Patents. If you’re tuning in from the Winston area, welcome! We’re glad you found us.
If you’re an inventor, a business owner, or someone chasing down a big idea, you’re in the right place. I want to share five really helpful local resources here in Winston-Salem that can support you on your journey. Whether you need funding, mentorship, or just a place to start, these organizations are worth checking out.
Let’s jump in.
1. Winston Starts
Think of this as the home base for new startups in town. Winston Starts helps early-stage businesses grow by offering guidance, office space, and valuable connections.
Some cool companies came out of here, like:
- Involve – a medical software startup
- Swipeby – an app for curbside pickup
- ThreatSketch – a cybersecurity firm focused on data analytics
They’re doing big things, and you could be next.
2. Flywheel New Ventures
This one’s for high-growth startups looking for funding. Flywheel New Ventures is a venture capital fund that also offers mentorship and shared office space.
They focus on industries like:
- Health and wellness
- Agricultural tech
- B2B software
Two standout companies from this group are:
- Fluree – a blockchain platform that keeps data secure
- Salem Cyber – an AI-based cybersecurity company
3. Velocity Creative Accelerator
Got a creative business idea but not sure where to start? Velocity runs a nine-week program that teaches the business side of creative work, like budgeting, planning, and how to scale.
You’ll also get access to mentors and potential investors.
A recent success story:
The Variable – a new kind of ad agency that blends strategy and creative work to help brands grow.
4. Wake Forest University Startup Lab
Wake Forest isn’t just a top school, it’s a launchpad for startups. Their lab helps student and faculty-led ventures get off the ground with mentorship, funding, and resources.
One company that came out of the lab:
Clinical Ink – a health tech startup that helps patients and researchers run smoother clinical trials.
5. Innovation Quarter
This is more than a building, it’s a whole district built for innovation. Picture an entire neighborhood focused on research, biotech, digital media, and business.
A few names you might hear from this space:
- F5 Sports – uses real-time movement data to boost athletic performance
- Javara Research – makes clinical research more connected and data-driven
So if you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step, these five local resources in Winston-Salem can make a big difference.
And if you’re wondering whether your invention is patentable… or whether it’s time to lock down your trademark… that’s where we come in.
Bold Patents is here to help you protect your ideas and guide you through the process.
I’m JD Houvener. Thanks for stopping by, and remember:
Go big. Go bold.
