The fourth cohort of PopBox grant recipients includes a bespoke jewelry boutique, a nature-inspired body care brand and a vegan cosmetic company
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [June 30, 2025] – Three talented entrepreneurs will elevate their small businesses at Boxyard RTP, the experiential dining and retail destination in the heart of Research Triangle Park (RTP), with help from the PopBox grant program. The initiative, a collaboration between the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, stewards of RTP, and NC IDEA, a private foundation that supports entrepreneurial growth across North Carolina, provides a 320-square-foot space within the Boxyard RTP development for rotating pop-up shops. It is made possible through the NC IDEA ENGAGE Grant, aimed at nurturing a more inclusive and connected entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state.
Each small business in the new cohort receives a $6,750 micro-grant, a six-month residency in PopBox within Boxyard RTP and business counseling from Innovate Carolina. The PopBox grant program supports emerging businesses by reducing barriers to operating in brick-and-mortar spaces, offering exposure to Boxyard RTP’s high-foot-traffic retail environment and a comprehensive package of mentorship, funding and resources.
The 2025-2027 Boxyard RTP PopBox grant recipients include:
- Daniela Cho, founder and CEO of Bezalel and Co., a Latina-owned, North Carolina-based handmade jewelry company, will launch The Luster Lab – an experiential jewelry bar where customers can create bespoke pieces through micro-welded permanent jewelry, laser engraving, charm selection and full customization.
Residency: Early September 2025 – Early March 2026
- Lakeisha Sutton, founder and CEO of Keisha Elise Cosmetics, a Mommy & Me clean beauty brand offering vegan, cruelty-free makeup formulated for sensitive skin, including signature lip glosses, eyeshadows, lipsticks and makeup tools – all thoughtfully designed for both young and adult users.
Residency: Mid-March 2026 – Mid September 2026
- LaDonna Standback, owner and creator of unEarth Body Care, a nature-focused, aromatherapy-based body care and fragrance brand offering handmade, vegan body oils, mists, scrubs, butters and soaps with the mission to help promote self-care and mental wellness.
Residency: Late September 2026 – Late March 2027
“Boxyard RTP offers a vibrant, one-of-a-kind atmosphere where creativity, innovation and community converge in the heart of the Triangle region,” said Amanda Ronan, senior director of placemaking, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina. “Through the PopBox grant program, promising entrepreneurs gain more than just space – they gain access to a lively community and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. A direct connection to both RTP and the broader Triangle community provides small businesses with a powerful platform to grow and thrive.”
The Foundation and NC IDEA lead the grant review process, with support from Innovate Carolina. The application is open to early-stage product- or service-based businesses that have an existing customer base and the ability to scale. Applicants are evaluated based on business viability, retail readiness, community impact and overall alignment with the Boxyard RTP environment.
“NC IDEA’s partnership with Boxyard RTP and Innovate Carolina demonstrates how collaboration benefits entrepreneurs by providing access to space, mentorship, and essential resources,” said Sarah Mixter, director of ecosystem engagement, NC IDEA. “The PopBox program exemplifies the mission of the NC IDEA ENGAGE Grant by uniting partners to assist entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and bolstering North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Now in its fourth year, the PopBox program has successfully facilitated the entry of 11 small businesses into the market, awarding a total of $60,250 in micro-grants. With the addition of its fourth cohort, the initiative continues to foster creativity, drive regional economic development, and strengthen North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For more information about the Boxyard RTP PopBox program and to review cohort participants, visit https://boxyard.rtp.org/popbox.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (Foundation) has led the strategic vision and development of Research Triangle Park (RTP). As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Foundation fosters transformative collaborations among universities, industry, government and the workforce, while attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent to the region. By promoting groundbreaking research, scientific advancements and technology-based innovation within RTP, the Foundation supports quality job creation and strengthens North Carolina’s economic landscape. As the steward of RTP, North America’s largest research park, the Foundation prioritizes connection and is reimagining the region with projects like Hub RTP, RTP’s new vibrant downtown destination that cultivates a community where people can live, work, play and stay. Recognized with consecutive Triangle Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awards in 2023 and 2024, the Foundation champions sustainable growth and inclusivity as pillars of RTP’s legacy and future. To learn more about Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, visit https://rtp.org.
About NC IDEA:
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to equitably empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential. Through our powerful combination of competitive grants and program and a network of strategic partners, we help entrepreneurs when they need it most. NC IDEA’s resources are highly competitive, enabling the Foundation to support North Carolina’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs transform communities and view our work as a catalyst for positive change.
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