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 the second best place in North Carolina to grow a startup, behind Raleigh/Durham that was recently recognized by Sequoia VC Jim Goetz as 2^nd most important economy in US.

Since May, I have been hosting events at Ironclad Brewery for startups to meet local investors, meet local and statewide resources and build the Coastal Corridor between Durham/ Raleigh and Wilmington.

Event speakers included:

Chris Heivly – Founder of Startup Factory, Durham

David Jones – Founder of Bull City Ventures, Durham

Mark Easley – Leader of Crowdfunding movement in NC, Raleigh

Larry Steffann – Leader of Internet of Things with Wireless Research Center

Increased Regional Media Press Coverage:

Nashville Post owned SouthernAlpha.com

US Chamber of Commerce / FreeEnterprise.com wrote a three piece series

WRALTechWire, Raleigh/Durham Triangle Business Journal, ExitEvent.com

Exposure to Other Markets:

NEW has brought Wilmington startups to the attention of Triangle based entrepreneur support organizations such as:

5 ILM startups chosen for CED Tech Venture Conference,

4 award winners at annual NC Technology Association Tech Awards

2 NC IDEA finalists and 1 winner BrandAssurance.

NEW has arranged pitch events for Wilmington with Piedmont Angel Network, VERGE NC and 1 Million Cups in RTP (Part of Kauffman Foundation)

As a concerned corporate citizen or as a private citizen of Wilmington, I hope you will become an annual sponsor and partner of NEW to help my efforts to grow the local startup community and build a healthier economy for years to come.