Krista M. Covey
MBA, ECM Certification, ECM Trainer, Economic Gardening, Peer Spectives Facilitator
CEO & President
First Flight Venture Center
Silver Member
Professional Bio
Krista Covey is the CEO & President of First Flight Venture Center (First Flight), North Carolina’s oldest science and technology business incubator and innovation hub, located in the heart of Research Triangle Park. First Flight empowers early-stage, science-focused companies to transform ideas into successful ventures by providing critical resources, including offices, labs, equipment, business education, funding support, and mentorship. The organization serves 500-700 companies annually through 14 unique startup programs, with alumni generating over $20 billion in market capitalization each year.
Prior to First Flight, Krista led innovation and economic development initiatives at VelocityTX in San Antonio, Texas, supporting life sciences, biotech, military medicine, and disruptive technology startups. She played a key role in developing a 12-acre innovation complex, including an incubator and international seed accelerator.
In Florida, Krista founded the SMARTstart Business Incubator, a "bottom-up approach" to economic sustainability in Tampa Bay, doubling its size within a year and launching a micro-loan fund for early-stage businesses. She also coordinated entrepreneur assistance networks, facilitated high-growth business programs, and was named one of the Tampa Bay Times’ “Top 20 who made the Tampa Bay economy better in 2014.”
Krista’s career began in commercial finance, where she spent over seven years in corporate lending before founding and exiting her own successful finance business. She has served on multiple startup boards, is an active investor, and holds a B.S. in Business Marketing from Southeastern University and an MBA from Saint Leo University. She is a Certified Entrepreneur Center Manager and has served as Chair of the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) Board of Directors.
Prior to First Flight, Krista led innovation and economic development initiatives at VelocityTX in San Antonio, Texas, supporting life sciences, biotech, military medicine, and disruptive technology startups. She played a key role in developing a 12-acre innovation complex, including an incubator and international seed accelerator.
In Florida, Krista founded the SMARTstart Business Incubator, a "bottom-up approach" to economic sustainability in Tampa Bay, doubling its size within a year and launching a micro-loan fund for early-stage businesses. She also coordinated entrepreneur assistance networks, facilitated high-growth business programs, and was named one of the Tampa Bay Times’ “Top 20 who made the Tampa Bay economy better in 2014.”
Krista’s career began in commercial finance, where she spent over seven years in corporate lending before founding and exiting her own successful finance business. She has served on multiple startup boards, is an active investor, and holds a B.S. in Business Marketing from Southeastern University and an MBA from Saint Leo University. She is a Certified Entrepreneur Center Manager and has served as Chair of the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) Board of Directors.
Organization