Southern Innovation: The South’s Best Metros for Tech Workers in 2026
March 22, 2026
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Connecting entrepreneurs to investors, mentors, and resources to grow innovative companies and a stronger coastal economy.
NEW exists to turn Wilmington into a place where startups don’t just start—but stay, scale, and succeed. We bring founders, capital, mentors, and opportunity into one connected ecosystem designed to move ideas forward faster.
Monthly events connect founders investors and leaders sharing insights lessons and strategies that accelerate growth.
One-to-one mentorship pairs founders with experienced operators providing clarity confidence and direction during critical decisions.
We prepare startups for funding by strengthening pitches aligning expectations and exploring diverse capital pathways.
Practical workshops equip founders with skills knowledge and tools needed to navigate early-stage business challenges.
We facilitate meaningful introductions between startups investors and strategic partners to unlock growth opportunities.
We connect Wilmington startups to statewide national resources accelerators and partners unlocking scale and opportunity.
The Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) is a nurturing organization for Wilmington NC startups to connect entrepreneurs to resources so they can innovate , grow and create jobs at the coast .
With local momentum in the startup ecosystem, I have established a new entrepreneur support organization to connect the earliest of startups with the resources needed from across the region and the state. I hope NEW is the organization that achieves long term success to make Wilmington a premier locale in North Carolina to grow a startup.
From deep-dive funding discussions to founder roundtables, NEW events focus on practical insights that help startups move forward faster.
Exploring Family Offices, Venture Philanthropy, and new funding trends.
Our DEEEEEP DIVE Series was created to give more intimate insights into solving the challenges as a founder to grow companies in NC
While Wilmington NC is a little late to most business trends, the latest investment business model has now made it to the coast.
What is a VENTURE STUDIO? And how can a Venture Studio play a role in growing the tech entrepreneur scene in Wilmington.
We have two leaders of venture studios in North Carolina who will participate in our infamous RIVERside chat format.
We will discuss their careers , insights and milestones that make them qualified in the venture studio business and investment model. And what they plan to do next.
Matt Cimino – A UNCW grad who recently sold his AMPED company to Intuit / Mailchimp, moved back to the coast and has started AMPED Ventures, a new venture studio where he is looking to invest and start new AI related companies.
Brian Ruddy – A NC State grad who went to work as an engineer at unicorn called Pendo with founder of the 24 and Up Venture Studio based in Raleigh. Brian participated in the inaugural Wilmington AI Roundtable and showed interest in coastal tech scene. Brian is on the tech and engineering side of the business.
Thanks to Hutchison Law for being the TITLE sponsor of the DEEEEEP DIVE event series.
PLEASE register now as most of our events sell out all of the tickets in our smaller venues very quickly.
The smaller venues are intentional as requested by the outcome of suggestions at a recent focus group of members.
NEW helps founders understand and access multiple funding paths, including:
We help entrepreneurs become investable, not just pitch-ready.
NEW’s 9-week Precelerator Program is designed for early-stage startups using the Lean Business Model Canvas framework.
NEW is built on years of experience connecting startups with investors, mentors, and statewide innovation organizations.
Jim’s work has helped Wilmington startups gain exposure, win awards, and secure funding opportunities across North Carolina.
Founder
Connect with NEW to explore partnerships guidance or involvement opportunities and help strengthen Wilmington’s growing startup ecosystem together.
Sponsors play a critical role in building a stronger local economy. By supporting NEW, partners help create jobs, foster innovation, and elevate Wilmington’s startup ecosystem.
For over a decade, NEW has strengthened Wilmington’s startup ecosystem by connecting founders with resources relationships and opportunities.
Whether you’re a founder, investor, mentor, or community supporter, NEW invites you to be part of a growing innovation economy built right here on the coast.