Noire Naturals, the company founded by Belk College senior and Dean's Fellow Ashleigh Thornton (left), won the undergraduate student category in the annual Charlotte Venture Challenge, held May 1 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Ashleigh also received the J. Chris Murphy Award, presented annually to the top UNC Charlotte student-led team.
Now in its 13th year, the Charlotte Venture Challenge is one of the premier start-up competitions in the Southeast. More than 200 early-stage, high growth companies have entered the competition, formerly known as Five Ventures, since it was re-named the Charlotte Venture Challenge in 2012.This year’s competition included entrants from 24 North Carolina counties, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. The competition features extensive volunteer engagement by over fifty reviewers and mentors.
The finals competition began early on May 1 at the Ben Craig Center as 19 finalists presented their businesses to more than 30 angel investors. The morning event determined the six category winners plus two wild cards who would advance to pitch at the evening public event. The eight selected finalists made their final five-minute pitch and responded to rapid-fire question from a judging panel consisting of experienced investors and entrepreneurs. One of the judges was Michelle Menard '96, founder of Choice Translating, a Belk College graduate and member of the college's Board of Advisors.
Ashleigh will graduate from UNC Charlotte on May 11 and plans to work full-time to grow her company.