Celebrating Excellence in innovation

First Flight Venture Center, founded in 1991, is a one-of-a-kind non-profit incubator for science/ technology start-ups and a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Research Triangle Park, NC. The First Flight community comprises 35-40 HIGH SCIENCE, DEEP TECH, HIGH IMPACT resident early-stage companies at any given time, over 400 graduates, and hundreds of start-ups that have benefited from Fight's Flight education programs and funding connections each year.

Our most anticipated event of the year, High Flyer Awards Luncheon is designated to celebrate and honor those companies and individuals who have contributed to the HIGH SCIENCE, DEEP TECH, HIGH IMPACT, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. This event promises not only a unique platform for world-class networking but also an opportunity to join First Flight Venture Center in celebrating those who are shaping the future with their innovative projects.

THE 2025 HIGH FLYER AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE…

High Flyer Award - Champion of Innovation

“Elaine’s visionary leadership and tireless commitment to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in North Carolina make her an extraordinary choice for this year’s High Flyer Champion of Innovation Award,” said Krista Covey, President and CEO of First Flight Venture Center. “Her impact has been felt locally, nationally, and globally, and we are proud to recognize her as part of this legacy.”

High Flyer Award - Company

NALA Membranes is a deep tech company pioneering the next generation of durable, chlorine-tolerant reverse osmosis membranes for desalination and wastewater treatment. Nala Membranes develops products that improve outcomes and reduce costs associated with reverse osmosis, a water treatment method experiencing rapid global expansion.

Windlift’s autonomous tethered UAVs are engineered to operate in the most demanding conditions, flying reliably when other systems are grounded. Our breakthrough AI-driven flight control technology ensures unmatched stability in high winds, delivering persistent aerial solutions in mission-critical dynamic environments where available quadcopter-based systems fail.

GreenLight Biosciences is making a profound impact on global agriculture by empowering farmers with cutting-edge RNA-based tools for crop protection and beyond—tools that respond to consumer demand for safer, cleaner food, while addressing the urgent need to protect biodiversity, build more resilient food systems, and safeguard agricultural sustainability for future generations.

  
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                HIGH FLYER AWARD - CHAMPION OF INNOVATION
            
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                HIGH FLYER AWARD - COMPANY
            
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Check Out Our 2024 High Flyers Award Luncheon Video!

Generously created and produced by Group31 Communications.

2025 sponsorships

Showcase your support for the HIGH SCIENCE, DEEP TECH, HIGH IMPACT Innovation and our entrepreneurial ecosystem and gain unparalleled visibility and networking opportunities.

Explore our 2025 sponsorship opportunities.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Conner at aconner@ffvcnc.org