What’s the Coolest Thing Made in NC?
Now in its sixth year, the Coolest Thing Made in NC contest celebrates North Carolina’s manufacturing community through a statewide, public driven competition showcasing made-in-NC products. This year, we will award titles in three categories: small business, medium business, and large business.
What’s the coolest thing made in NC? Your votes decide.
Read about our 2025 Winners here!
Sign up below to be notified as soon as the 2026 contest opens.
Presenting Sponsor
MANUFACTURERS
Leading the Way
There’s no better time to celebrate our state’s manufacturing community. What began in the 1880s as a sprinkling of textile mills across North Carolina’s landscape has evolved into an impressive, technologically-driven industry that generates more than 13.3% of our gross state product and employs more than 10% of our state’s workforce.
Our state’s manufacturers have always led the way in innovation. When our nation was brought to a near standstill by COVID-19, manufacturers heroically and swiftly pivoted to produce the equipment needed by front-line workers, vulnerable populations, hospitals, and businesses.
Innovation, Creativity, and Importance
It’s past time to shine the spotlight on one of our state’s most vital industries. To celebrate the innovation, creativity, and importance of our state’s manufacturers, the NC Chamber hosts an annual statewide “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest. After a public nomination and voting process, the NC Chamber will announce which product manufactured in the Old North State is truly the “coolest thing made in NC.”
13.3%
of the state’s GDP is generated from manufacturing, 2023
459,300
Manufacturing Employees in North Carolina, 2023
10%
Percent Share of Non-Farm Employment in NC, 2023
Data supplied by the National Association of Manufacturers.
Support Your Nominee
When nominations open on July 30, be sure to nominate the product you think is the coolest thing made in our state, then download and share our social media graphics and other materials to help promote your favorite.
The Coolest Thing Made in NC contest is run by the NC Chamber, the leading business advocacy organization in North Carolina. Our mission is to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina.
