Citrus Oncology Awarded NC IDEA MICRO Grant to Expand Access to Specialty Care for Cancer Patients

Cary, NC — Citrus Oncology, a virtual specialty care platform focused on managing cancer-related co-morbidities and treatment toxicities, has been awarded a MICRO grant from the NC IDEA Foundation, as part of its Spring 2025 funding cycle.

Citrus Oncology was selected as one of fifteen startups across North Carolina to receive this competitive award, which is designed to help early-stage companies validate and advance their ideas. This year’s grant recipients were chosen from a pool of 180 applicants statewide, with 80% of selected companies representing underserved communities.

“We are honored to be recognized by NC IDEA for our mission to close critical gaps in cancer care,” said Dr. Aabid Shariff, CEO Co-Founder of Citrus Oncology. “Far too often, cancer patients suffer delays, complications, and poor outcomes due to unmanaged side effects and co-morbidities like diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune conditions. Citrus Oncology was created to change that—with faster access to the right specialty support, at the right time.”

As part of the grant, Citrus Oncology will participate in an intensive eight-week program focused on customer discovery, product development, and growth planning. The funding will support technology enhancements, outreach efforts, and care delivery pilots across North Carolina.

Founded by a team of physicians and technologists, Citrus Oncology connects cancer patients with U.S. board-certified sub-specialists in endocrinology, cardiology, rheumatology, dermatology, and more—reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, preventing treatment delays, and improving quality of life.

“NC IDEA is proud to support the ambition and impact of founders like those at Citrus Oncology,” said Amy Bastian, Vice President of Grants & Programs at NC IDEA. “This cohort reflects the economic and health innovation potential across our state.”

Since 2018, NC IDEA MICRO has awarded over $2 million to 224 young companies across North Carolina. Citrus Oncology joins a vibrant community of mission-driven innovators working to build a healthier and more equitable future.

To learn more about NC IDEA and the Spring 2025 MICRO grant recipients, visit www.ncidea.org.

Media Contact:
Citrus Oncology
Email: info@citrusoncology.com