If last week is an indication of what’s to come in 2003, entrepreneurship is going to break out of its doldrums.

In Charlotte, the Metrolina Entrepreneurial Council played host to its “TrailblazerAwards,” which drew a big, enthusiastic crowd. David Jones of Peak 10 walked away with the top Trailblazer award, but numerous other executives and companies touted their own progress and prospects. Plus, John Yates, head of the technology practice at Morris, Manning & Young, delivered a pep talk on entrepreneurship and friendship.

Yates, in his first weekly column for Local Tech Wire, also offered ideas about how to grow the Southeast’s technology community.

In the Triangle, three new companies signed on for office space at the NC Technological Development Authority. And Bob Young announced an aggressive expansion of offerings at LuLu Enterprises for authors and artists seeking alternatives to conventional publishing.

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development announced its remaining selections for its annual venture conference.

In the life science and biotech sector, Expression Analysis named a full-time chief executive officer, Sun announced its commitment to a research genomics center in the Triangle, and Gentris signed a three-year deal.

Here’s a look back at a busy week:

EXECUTIVE SUITE:

Bob Young Hopes To Help Authors and Artists Strike It Rich Online:www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3441

Trailblazer Program Captures the Essence of Entrepreneurship:
www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3432

David Jones, Founder of Peak 10, Wins MEC’s ‘Trailblazer’ Award: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3431

TELECOM and NETWORKING:

As It Continues To Grow, US LEC Confronts ‘Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt’ Attacks Head on: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3420

Telecom Diplomacy on Potomac: FCC Chairman Throws a Fit — in Print:www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3405

FCC Splits the ‘Baby’ – Will Phone Competition Live or Die?: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3390

VENTURE CAPITAL:

How To Build a Bigger, Better Technology Community in Southeast? It Won’t Be Easy: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3421

Atlanta-based Optical Networking Firm Raises Additional $3 Million: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3438

CED Picks Total of 23 Companies To Present at Venture 2003: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3408

LIFE SCIENCE and BIOTECH:

Double Helix at 50: Scientists Still Strive To Deliver on Promise: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3440

PharmaNetics Closes 2002 With a Loss But Is Poised for Growth This Year:www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3442

With Strong Revenues and Customer Base, Startup Expression Analysis Gets Full-Time CEO: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3439

Sun To Help Create Bioinformatics Center of Excellence in RTP: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3419

Sankyo Pharma Strikes Three-Year Deal With Gentris: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3402

ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

Entrepreneurs Are Through ‘Tire-Kicking’; New Ventures Sign on for Space at NCTDA: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3403

In a Business Whirlwind, Those Who Survive Are Those Who Adapt, Who Evolve, Who Fight: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3391

BREAKING NEWS:

Bye, Bye KOZ – Final Links Between KOZ Technology, Media Customers Cut: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3387

Two Duke Computer Scientists Named Sloan Research Fellows:

www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3418

GUEST OPINION:

In Tech World, We Can’t Forget ‘To Err is Human, To Forgive Design’:www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3388