At ExitEvent, we want you up on all the topics trending and news happening in the Triangle, so here’s a feature we run after each month ends recapping the most popular 10 stories on our site. They’re ranked below based on page views.
It might be hard to believe stuff happened outside of politics this past month, but several startups released new products to the market, a few raised money and at least one shut down. We also highlighted some entrepreneurial activity in Wilmington and Asheville, and our top story looked into the work of Raleigh’s first innovation manager.
Check out the full top 10 below. And get a chance at next month’s list by sharing your news with laura@exitevent.com.
1. Raleigh’s Middle Man Between Entrepreneurs & Government Builds On Role
A Building Upfit Grant and interactive startup map are the latest initiatives by the city to support startups and entrepreneurs since hiring Derrick Minor as innovation manager in 2012.
2. This Durham Startup is Bringing All 59 U.S. National Parks to Life in Virtual Reality
WildEyes (pictured above) is working with Google Expeditions and a Durham charter school to get its virtual reality footage of national parks into the hands of students everywhere.
3. Move Loot Shuts Down in the Triangle, Nationally
After fast growth and big raises from a who’s who of Silicon Valley venture capitalists, the used furniture marketplace with East Coast operations in Durham shut down in July.
4. 10 Reasons Why Wilmington is an Innovation Ecosystem to Watch in NC
A startup ecosystem is forming in Wilmington thanks to universities, incubators, statewide initiatives, investors, successful companies and support services. Here are some of the highlights.
5. 8 Companies Riding Wilmington’s Innovation Wave
Representing a diversity of industries from real estate to pets, these Wilmington startups are adding fuel to southeast North Carolina’s growing startup ecosystem.
6. Y Combinator Picks Three Triangle Startups for Prestigious Fellowship
A January tour of Triangle universities by Y Combinator helped two of these three startups win spots in the new YC Fellowship program. Meet all three Triangle companies learning from Silicon Valley greats this summer.
7. TEDxDurham Speakers Unite Around Social Innovation & #BlackLivesMatter Movement
Durham’s first TEDx featured innovative ways to enrich the city’s communities and included an unexpected, yet timely emphasis on #BlackLivesMatter after a week of heightened racial tension.
8. Why Alex Osadzinski Left VC to Join Relias Learning
The e-learning company that, alongside Governor McCrory, announced 450 new jobs in Cary last month recruited former Silicon Valley venture capitalist and active Triangle angel investor Alex Osadzinski to lead its global expansion. Here’s what drew him to the “startup.”
9. Raleigh Charity App GoodBookey Wins 100K Euros & Props From Global Ad Agency
A startup diverting sports gambling dollars to charitable causes traveled to Paris to accept a cash prize and year of support from the fourth largest ad agency in the world.
9 (tie). A Tech Space Hatches in Asheville
Asheville gets its first startup campus in Hatch, a downtown space envisioned to become a hub of entrepreneurial activity and mentorship. It’s already got an impressive lineup of tenants.
10. Triangle Startup: Five Years Into a 20-Year Plan
Joe Procopio projects that including cities like Wilmington and Asheville, attracting Series B venture capital and establishing better mass transit will make for more Triangle startup growth.
