Jim Roberts

We all know about the theories of one of my business role models Brad Feld (TechStars) and his book Startup Communities, where he talks about important role for entrepreneur support organizations. In Wilmington, my non profit organization , the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) has gained momentum after celebrating our one year anniversary with the hope we can have a similar long term impact as CED has had in Durham / Raleigh. Our June 23rd event now has 160 people registered with one week to go. (Our largest event was our last event on Life Sciences industry in...

Editor’s note: Jim Roberts, a professional connector and founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) and the Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE), spent a hectic Tuesday traversing the Triangle to promote the “Coastal Corridor.” He also sees first hand just how active and vibrant the Triangle entrepreneurial ecosystem has become. He also caught Congressman David Price’s appearance at the First Flight Venture Center. Here’s Roberts’ recap of a busy day. RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – In One Day , …. Tuesday morning started at American Underground , transitioned to the First Flight Venture Center , over...

Good investors know that they really have to do more than just write a check and wait 5-7 years for the startup to an exit event such as an acquisition or an IPO. If they want a great return, they become part of the team to attract other investors and open the doors of opportunity by using their professional network to help the startup succeed to create revenue through sales and partnerships. In areas where venture capital is scarce and the entrepreneurs are inexperienced, the term Vulture Capital can be thrown around dangerously. The fear that the investor is...

Editor’s note: The Institute for Emerging Issues at NCSU hosted a two-day Emerging Issues Forum earlier this week to explore what technology automation and robotics means for future workers. Jim Roberts, who leads the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), found much to be positive about. RALEIGH, N.C. – The people of North Carolina are the luckiest in the world. Every year we know the future before the rest of you. See we host an event in Raleigh called the Emerging Issues Forum. Every year the Emerging Issues Institute, a Think (and DO) tank, at North Carolina State University...

Editor’s note: Jim Roberts, the executive director of the , is writing exclusively for WRAL TechWire about what’s happening at South by Southwest. Here’s his second report. (His first post updates the continuing boom of Austin and SxSW.) AUSTIN, Texas – Steve Case was one of the main keynote speakers on Saturday in Austin at South by Southwest Interactive Festival. If anyone has seen the history of the Internet, Case has to be one of the founding fathers on the business side of things. As one of the founders of AOL, he is now a major venture capitalist with...

Editor’s note: Jim Roberts, executive director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNC Wilmington, is in Austin for South by Southwest, and he’s providing exclusive reports for WRAL TechWire. Here’s the first. (In the second, Roberts reports on Steve Case’s speech about disruption.) AUSTIN, Texas – Austin welcomes 100 new residents every day and on top of that stretched transportation infrastructure, thousands of geeks have arrived this week for the annual South by Southwest Interactive Festival. This tech event has become an incredible recruiting tool as very pale techies get off the planes from the cold Midwest...