Print
More News

N.C. Treasurer To Speak In Wilmington

By Jenny Callison, posted Apr 15, 2014
(Janet Cowell)
State treasurer Janet Cowell will be in Wilmington next week to talk about the importance of innovation in the state’s economy and to learn about area innovators and entrepreneurs, University of North Carolina Wilmington officials said Tuesday.

Cowell will deliver opening remarks at UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s breakfast event April 24: The Big 5 Employers: Pains That Keep Us Up at Night, the university’s news release stated. The event features executives from Castle Branch, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, PPD, UNCW and the N.C. Military Business Center talking about their needs, the challenges they face and the opportunities that exist for local entrepreneurs.

Cowell will also meet with local innovators and learn more about the region’s current economic development initiatives, according to the news release.

"Innovation is key to growing North Carolina's economy,” Cowell said in the release. “I'm excited to have the opportunity to discuss innovation and job creation – and overcoming challenges – with key leaders in Southeast North Carolina."

Cowell, who has spent more than 20 years in private- and public-sector financial leadership, oversees more than $80 billion in pension investments for the more than 875,000 teachers, firefighters and public employees in North Carolina. The first woman to hold the position of North Carolina state treasurer, she manages the 32nd largest public pension in the world and the third most solid in the nation, the release stated.

By law, a portion of pension funds must be invested in the N.C. Innovations Fund, part of whose mission is to “foster the creation and growth of young and maturing companies in North Carolina,” according to the fund’s website.

The fund does not make direct investments in early-stage companies, said CIE director Jim Roberts; it invests in venture capital funds, which then make the investments into early-stage companies.

“We hope the treasurer's visit will serve as a magnet for regional investors who are interested in the N.C. Innovation Fund, which is a fund of venture capital funds,” Roberts said.

The Big 5 Employers breakfast event will be held at The Terraces on Sir Tyler. Seating is limited and registration is currently open.  
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2

The Importance of Real Estate Appraisals

Steve Mitchell - Cape Fear REALTORS®
2022052 75 142344351

Bridging Futures: The Case for Toll Funding in Wilmington’s Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Revamp

Natalie English - Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Jimheadshot

The Wilmington Construction Market: Trends, Recognition, and Challenges

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....


Expanding Tastes On Castle Street

As John Willse and Beth Guertin, owners of Wilmington Wine bottle shop and now the recently opened Creative Tastings restaurant on Castle St...


INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments