WRAL Tech Wire

 N.C. A&T wins cleantech competition

The N.C. A&T cleantech project that won $100,000 in the business plan competition aims to turn hog waste into a useful building material.

 Biobanks offer new hope to startups, researchers - and those who are ill

Biobanks are just one of the high-value ways that non-profit disease-fighting foundations showed Southeast Venture Philanthropy Summit attendees they are helping academic researchers and bioscience companies get the job done.

 Nanotech commercialization conference to showcase NC's advances

North Carolina's nanotech sector is diversified. Products incorporating nanotech are most likely going to be an input to another industry's products such as coatings, carriers, composites, communications or catalysis. Drug delivery (carrier) also uses coatings. Aerospace uses coatings and composites. IT and Communications devices use nanotech and microelectronics. The next generation of batteries and the energy industries are using nano for catalysis. N.C. firms will showcase their advances at a commercialization conference this week in Winston-Salem.

Nano particles at Liquidia.

 Attention, entrepreneurs: Look before you leap into that MBA

Opinion: My Wall Street Journal article about why I discourage students who want to become entrepreneurs from doing an MBA provoked a far stronger reaction than I expected. The vast majority of the emails and comments were in agreement -- including from business-school professors. What shocked me were the angry online comments, Tweets, and emails from a few MBA students--because of their lack of professionalism. So it is clear that this issue is highly contentious.

Are MBAs really for entrepreneurs?

 We want your best thinking: WRALTechWire invites you to submit news, analysis

WRALTechWire is expanding its content lineup, and we want you to participate. We are looking for news and analysis about all things tech and life science from people who know their business.

 Student teams vie for $50K in 'Duke Start-Up Challenge'

 Duke research could be key to developing HIV vaccine

Duke researchers have learned how the HIV virus changes in the body, knowledge that could help overcome hurdles to developing an HIV vaccines.

 Women in tech face many challenges - but there is hope

Opinion: I used to call Silicon Valley the world's greatest meritocracy. I was wrong. There is no meritocracy when it comes to the inclusion of women. But that could change.

Women in business

 WRALTechWire invites readers to submit news, analysis

WRALTechWire is expanding its content lineup, and we want you to participate. We are looking for news and analysis about all things tech and life science from people who know their business.

 Startup Madness isn't mad at all: These ACC 'teams' ooze biz potential

The Startup Blog: Chill-N, a nitrogen ice cream startup from the University of Miami , takes top honors at Startup Madness 2013, which as an event is its own sprouting success story.

ChillN makes winning pitch at Startup Madness

 UNC Nutrition institute at NCRC lands $5.3M grant

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis has received a $5.3 million grant to study fetal alcohol disorders.

 WRALTechWire invites readers to submit news, analysis

WRALTechWire is expanding its content lineup, and we want you to participate. We are looking for news and analysis about all things tech and life science from people who know their business.

 Set your brackets: Startup Madness tips off in Raleigh

 More school IT leaders entering ed CTO program

North Carolina is leading the nation through the Certified Educational Chief Technology Officer (CeCTO) program, which kicked off its fourth year last month.

 WRALTechWire invites readers to submit news, analysis

WRALTechWire is expanding its content lineup, and we want you to participate. We are looking for news and analysis about all things tech and life science from people who know their business.

 My secrets: How I learned that selling is a key to success

Opinion: Yes, I know that "selling" conjures up negative images of used-car salesmen peddling clunkers. But the ability to persuade people to believe in you is a necessity. That's because selling is not just about exchanging things for money; selling is about life.

Gold

 RTI, NCSU research finds new ways to cool and power electronics

New research from North Carolina State University and RTI International has yielded new understanding of thin films, opening the door to more efficient technologies to power or cool electronics.

NCSU-RTI semiconductor research

 Duke CFO survey: Hiring, spending increasing but recession fears linger

Top financial executives at U.S. companies are showing more economic optimism as they expect to spend more, increase hiring and plan for acquisitions in the next year.

CFO optimism improves

 New name, new tenants for former Piedmont Triad Research Park

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has a new name for the research and development campus in Winston-Salem: The Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. Three new tenants sign on for space, all of whom either were started by or include former Targacept employees.

One Technology Place

 Durham-based Chordoma Foundation founder makes Forbes' 30 under 30

Josh Sommer, executive director of The Chordoma Foundation in Durham, makes Forbes 30 under 30, Forbes' list of top young disruptors, innovators and entrepreneurs.