WRAL Tech Wire

 Raleigh-based PRA International eyes public offering

Another life science services firm in the Triangle, PRA International, may follow in the footsteps of a bigger rival - Quintiles - by offering stock in order to raise capital. Just two years ago, PRA was at the center of takeover rumors in the range of $1 billion.

PRA's corporate timeline

 Will lightning strike again for veteran entrepreneur Brian Handly at StepLeader?

As the Raleigh-based apps developer raises its first venture funding, its CEO Brian Handly talks about what's coming next at StepLeader. He has big, big plans. Handly also discusses the state of fundraising, which can be quite difficult these days.

 Raleigh app developer StepLeader lands $4.4M in first fund raiser

The Raleigh-based startup, which is a spinout from Capitol Broadcasting's New Media Group, raises its first round of venture funding with two local firms participating. Its CEO invests as well. And the company has big growth plans. WRALTechWire Insiders can get the full story.

StepLeader's weather app

 IBM opens Linux center in China, says it will work with Red Hat

Big Blue is further expanding an already large presence in China with a new Linux-focused center in Beijing. And it says the world's top Linux developer, Red Hat, will be involved as well as Red Hat rival SUSE.

IBM's research center in China

 New Triangle venture capital firm slowly emerging from shadows

The two co-founders of the Triangle's newest venture capital firm won't talk - yet - about what they are doing. But we have some salient details about who they are, their focus, and what this means for the capital-starved southeast.

 Titans of tech seek to excite UNC, Duke grads about a future beyond themselves

In graduation speeches at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill respectively, Melinda Gates and Steve Case point to technology as a tool to build a better world. Will the graduates listen?

Time's cover

 Triangle politician tries to accelerate crowdfunding; bill passes first hurdle

Rep. Tom Murry, a businessman and Republican from Morrisville, along with three others, is pushing legislation to help entrepreneurs raise money while the SEC wrestles with implementation of the JOBS Act that was passed last year. Read about the bill, who backs it - and which Republican is a powerful opponent.

 Billionaire Murdock on nutrition research: 'Let's make some major discoveries'

Scientific research has revealed many things but science is still keeping some secrets from David Murdock. The billionaire businessman founded and funded the David H. Murdock Research Institute to search for answers. And now he's putting up $50 million more in his continuing quest.

 As Quintiles' Gillings rings opening bell, SciQuest CEO recalls the feeling

Dennis Gillings, who started Quintiles in a trailer more than 30 years ago, rings the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange today to celebrate the giant's return to public markets. Stephen Wiehe, who led SciQuest through a similar private-to-public Odyssey, recalls the "humbling" ringing bell honor.

Stphen Wiehe claps after opening Nasdaq

 NC Commerce privatization plan could mean more capital for startups

Capital is the oxygen business startups need for growth, and in North Carolina it remains in short supply. But help could be coming from an unexpected source: A reorganization plan that calls for the privatization of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Gov. Pat McCrory is not ignoring the need for more money to drive new businesses.

Proposed Department of Commerce organizational chart

 Durham aims to create own South by Southwest with 'Paradoxos' event

The Bull City, along with help from other partners from across the Triangle, is looking to create a southeast version of SXSX, the music, film, tech and interactive festival that has become an incredibly popular event to showcase Austin, Texas. WRALTechWire Insiders can learn more about the upcoming "Paradoxos."

Will Paradoxos become the SXSW for the Triangle?

 Former prominent Red Hat execs are out at Massachusetts firm

Two senior executives who quit Red Hat to join a Massachusetts software firm are now looking for jobs again. WRALTechWire Insiders can get the latest scoop.

Alex Pinchev

 Billionaire founder's latest 'gift' to NC Research Campus could be inflection point

David Murdock, the founder of the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, is announcing another donation today to what Oprah Winfrey has described as his "gift to humanity." Will the endowment he is making secure the NCRC's future as a true hub for health research?

David Murdock at a recent NCRC event.

Research Triangle region is a global leader in shaping intelligent energy future

Leaders of the Triangle region's rapidly growing cleantech industry cluster have written an exclusive three-part series for WRALTechWire. Part One focuses on the opportunity cleantech offers the regional economy and the companies and assets that make it a global hotspot for this important emerging industry.

Who will lead in cleantech?

 Charlotte's startup community is booming, survey finds

The Business Innovation & Growth Council's second survey of the entrepreneurial community in the Queen City uncovers more new and emerging ventures. Plus, companies are looking to hire hundreds this year. We've got the numbers.

Startups, not just a sculpture downtown, add glitz in Charlotte

 Publisher: Triangle Tech Talk is 'pulling back' on news

Chris Heivly, the publisher of Triangle Tech Talk who helps run Triangle Startup Factory and is always looking for new projects, tells his readers that he is "cutting back" on the web news site.

Chris Heivly

 Is IBM-Lenovo deal really dead? Insiders say no

An IBM facility in Research Triangle Park that even Big Blue calls a "Superlab" remains at the center of reports about a possible sale of at least a portion of IBM's server business to Lenovo. What's a SuperLab? What do they do? What are employees there hearing?

IBM touts its "X" server lineup

 The government wants you to create startups out of data ... sort of

The HUB in Raleigh hosts a "Datapalooza" and Triangle entrepreneurs turn out by the score to see how they might benefit from the feds' Open Data Initiative. Can ODI help produce new companies and products? WRALTechWire Insider columnist Joe Procopio takes our members inside the opportunity.

A sample of data from the Open Data Initiative

 Huge crowd shows East Coast Game Conference becoming international draw

Having drawn a crowd of more than 1,300 people, the organizers of the East Coast Game Conference have big plans for the future while continuing to nurture the region's game industry. Troy Knight, one of the show's co-founders, talks about future plans and the state of the Triangle gaming industry today.

East Coast Game Conference

 E-commerce firm ChannelAdvisor's going public party may be in trouble

The Morrisville-based company makes several changes in its SEC filing that indicate a proposed offering of stock is not generating traction among investors, sources familiar with IPO filings tell WRALTechWire. What are the changes, and what could they mean?