On Feb. 16, the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) and its sponsors will host the State of the Startups in Wilmington at Ironclad Brewery. NEW has lined up an impressive list of local entrepreneurs and regional investors to address a wide range of topics, organizers say.

“After NEW arranged for the investor Paul Singh Results Junkies Tech Tour to have a three day event in Wilmington in October and partnering with Cucalorus Connect in November, I think it is time to take a look at where Wilmington stands as a potential technology and startup hub.” Jim Roberts, founder of NEW, says. “We all recognize that there is much more work to do to be a nurturing environment where startups can scale and begin to hire bigger numbers of people at wages above $50,000.”

Topics to be covered the Town Hall and the panels include:

  • When will Wilmington live up to the potential within the opportunities that exist?
  • Will Wilmington live up to the Coastal Corridor to connect to the resources on I-40 East to the Raleigh Durham economy and state capital?
  • Where can scaling startups find more capital? How will these startup events and efforts be supported as an economic development strategy?
  • Will there be an industry cluster around financial technology, education technology, marine biosciences industry or data?
  • Would the startups participate in a structured mentoring program to get the masses of retired executive talent in Wilmington more involved in the local economy?

“All of this positive momentum of these startups would have a large impact and would be possible if a Wilmington startup has an exit event such as a Initial Public Offering (IPO) or one of the startups gets acquired to create an impressive return for the early angel investors.” Roberts, who also launched Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE), says.

To Register for this free event :

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-startups-in-2017-event-in-wilmington-nc-and-a-hall-of-famer-becomes-new-annual-sponsor-tickets-31259351562

Confirmed Speakers Include:

  • Dhruv Patel – Square One Bank , former executive with CED, entrepreneur organization
  • Polly Harman – PursuitEnterprisesLLC.com (medical device for sleep) , portfolio client of Pink Ceiling
  • Ted Coughlin – Ironclad Brewery and Lead investor in WALE , active venture capitalist leader, also part of upstate NY Angel group
  • Bill Spruill – Triangle Angel Partners, Partner at Global Data Consortium
  • Adrian Wilson – Hutchlaw , formerly of Square One Bank, former Venture Capitalist
  • Ryal Tayloe – New Wilmington entrepreneur , formerly with nCino
  • Brad Leinhart – EntreDot, BunkerLabs RDU accelerator and experienced entrepreneur