Entrepreneurship Center director leaves for tech startup

Jonathan Rowe, who has been director of the UNCW Entrepreneurship Center since its 2010 inception, is leaving the center to join Wilmington-based bank technology startup nCino, the university announced Thursday. Rowe will become nCino’s director of marketing.

According to UNCW’s news release, during Rowe’s tenure at the Entrepreneurship Center (EC), he supported the launch of five startup companies and worked with many entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Cape Fear region.

“It was a true honor and privilege to be part of such an important effort in starting the UNCW Entrepreneurship Center,” said Rowe, in the release.  “I am very proud of what we as a community and university have built to support entrepreneurship; the EC is a critical part of our region’s current and future economic success.”

UNCW has named Fran Scarlett interim director of the center. She is director of the southeastern regional Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), which is housed at the university. In her position, Scarlett provides direction and coordination of business and economic development activities in six counties. In 2011, the SBTDC helped small businesses in the region create 523 jobs and obtain $8.5M in capital. The center also supported the startup of 13 new companies.

Scarlett has an MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Boston University.

A national search will begin soon for a permanent director of the UNCW Entrepreneurship Center.

In the release, UNCW Chancellor Gary L. Miller said he remains fully committed to the role of the EC as a leading catalyst for economic change in the region.  “While I appreciate the great work that has been accomplished thus far, I look forward to even greater success as we move forward with new leadership,” he said.