The story is provided to ExitEvent through a partnership with WRAL TechWire. Both publications are owned by Capitol Broadcasting Co.
By Jason Parker, WRAL TechWire, reporting from Kansas City October 8, 2014

Today, on stage in Kansas City, John Austin who runs the Groundworks Labs’ new business accelerator program in Durham, announced that the Triangle beat out more than a dozen other cities to win the bid to host the 2015 UP America Summit, bringing nearly 200 entrepreneurs from the Americas to the Triangle. 

“We are pleased and exited to invite you to our community in the Triangle,” said Austin at the 2014 UP Summit in Kansas City, “We’ve got a great story to share with you.” The UP America Summit gathers organizers from entrepreneurial communities across North America, providing opportunities for organizers, entrepreneurs, and leaders to learn from one another. 
The Triangle will host the organization’s third event, held annually. It’s part of the UP Global international effort to boost entrepreneurship, which is supported by The Kauffman Foundation, Google for Entrepreneurs, The Case Foundation, Coca-Cola and others. 
“The Triangle is a perfect fit for the UP America Summit,” said Ari Kern, Southeast Regional Manager of UP Global, “I’ve been very impressed with how cohesive and collaborative the community is, especially given the geographic diversity across multiple cities. 
“The Triangle has a lot of incredibly strong entrepreneurial leaders, and new people continue to step up and take ownership over the community’s programs, initiatives and events.” 
Here in Kansas City, there’s a buzz in the room about visiting the Triangle next year. 
“It is wonderful to see how the Triangle region is able to provide all the ingredients for a vibrant startup ecosystem—a perfect fit for next year’s UP Global Summit, ”said Roman Kern, Director of Systems and Operations at MassChallenge, a Boston-based accelerator. “I am pumped to be part of it, and look forward to great sessions and discussions with inspiring local entrepreneurs and community leaders.”