PR | First Flight Names Elaine Bolle as 2025 High Flyer Champion of Innovation
Contact: Krista Covey
President
First Flight Venture Center
Office: 919.990.8558
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 14, 2025
First Flight Venture Center Names Elaine Bolle as the 2025 High Flyer Champion of Innovation
Winner of the 2025 High Flyer Company Award to Be Announced at Luncheon on November 21, 2025
Research Triangle Park, NC – October 14, 2025 – First Flight Venture Center, the premier science and technology incubator in North Carolina, is proud to announce Elaine Bolle as the 2025 High Flyer Champion of Innovation Award winner.
Bolle will be honored at the 5th Annual High Flyer Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Prestonwood Country Club, 300 Prestonwood Parkway, Cary, NC.
The High Flyer Champion of Innovation Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to building North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Bolle now joins an esteemed group of past High Flyer Champions, including Fred Hutchison, Andy Schwab, Dr. Charles Hamner, Governor James B. Hunt, and Governor James G. Martin.
“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.”
As part of the celebration, Bolle will participate in a pre-recorded interview produced by Group 31, which will be premiered at the luncheon. She will also be recognized alongside high-impact companies that embody First Flight’s mission to accelerate deep-tech innovation.
The High Flyer Award selection committee, composed of past High Flyer companies and Champions, reviews nominations through a rigorous process, ranking nominees on innovation, market impact, growth potential, leadership, and contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The prestigious 2025 High Flyer Company Award winner will be revealed at the 2025 High Flyer Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Friday, November 21, from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC. First Flight Venture Center will recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of the three startup finalists: GreenLight Biosciences, Nala Membranes, and Windlift. This celebration brings together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators to honor excellence in the North Carolina ecosystem.
Register Today to join this highly anticipated event, where networking, inspiration, and recognition come together under one roof.
Event Details:
Date: November 21, 2025
Time: 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Prestonwood Country Club, 300 Prestonwood Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513
Tickets are available now, and space is limited! Don’t miss the opportunity to connect and celebrate the vibrant spirit of innovation. Visit https://www.ffvcnc.org/2025-high-flyer-award-luncheon-copy to purchase tickets.
About First Flight Venture Center
First Flight Venture Center is a high science, high impact science-focused business incubator and innovation hub located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, NC. Established in 1991, First Flight has hosted more than 400 science-focused companies, providing strategic education, tailored resources, guidance, business connections and office/lab space in a 25,000 sq.ft. facility. First Flight has launched businesses that have commercialized important new science breakthroughs and disruptive technologies, while creating thousands of jobs in North Carolina. For more information, visit http://ffvcnc.org
For more information, contact:
Krista Covey
President
First Flight Venture Center
Office: 919.990.8558