With a new Wilmington headquarters and manufacturing facility in place, K9000 Dog Wash USA is further establishing its local roots while expanding its market.   K9000 Dog Wash USA in December opened its Kerr Avenue location in Wilmington, which houses its manufacturing, warehouse, office, retail and showroom space, said Pete Peterson, president of the firm.   ...

As cases of the novel coronavirus began to grow in the U.S. starting in March, David Greenough remembered his days in the Air Force, when he found out ultraviolet light was used to make sure missile guidance systems weren’t contaminated by bacteria or other microscopic residue.   Those memories helped influence the start of the Wilmington resident’s comp ...

Girard and Tracey Newkirk, two Wilmington business owners and entrepreneurs, saw a need in the community: a need to generate more exposure to the wide range of African American businesses in the Cape Fear region. The husband-and-wife team, through Genesis Block, have started a new initiative, and are working to bring together community partners to develop the Black ...

Entrepreneurs are problem-solvers. But what happens when a viral pandemic hits?   If you’re Sean Hensler, one of the founders and CEO of Hensler Surgical Technologies LLC, you pivot.   “Realizing that so many health care teams were struggling with basic personal protective equipment (PPE) against coronavirus, I felt compelled to help in any way I ...

TRU Colors is moving forward with a new initiative as its leader, George Taylor, sharpens his focus on the company and its mission.  TRU Colors, a concept first announced by Taylor in 2017, is currently reconstructing a building it purchased last year for the site of its future headquarters and brewery operation. But as the timeline on that project and others ha ...

The major narrative in the business community these days concerns business owners’ struggles to help their companies survive the economic downturn. But the entrepreneurial spirit is still thriving; some people are taking advantage of enforced downtime at home to nurture their startup plans or nascent ventures.   Tina “TJ” Oliver, who’s on the ...

Four Wilmington startups are recipients and finalists of two NC IDEA grant programs, according to an announcement Monday. Wilmington based MyKinfo and Survei are NC IDEA MICRO grant recipients, chosen after a three-month competitive application and selection process. MyKinfo is an early-stage startup that participates in the mentorship program at the University of No ...

NC IDEA Foundation is now accepting donations to fund its entrepreneurship grant programs, according to an announcement Friday. “Now more than ever, the need is greater and simply beyond our capacity to fill alone,” Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA CEO and president said in the release. “Entrepreneurs throughout North Carolina need assistance if together we are to p ...

Four Wilmington companies are the finalists of the inaugural NC BIONEER Venture Challenge aimed at enhancing life sciences and biotechnology business ventures in the region, according to an announcement Thursday. Accugenomics, Electronic Lab Logs, IndiOmics and Isosceles Pharmaceuticals were selected to participate in a two-month process of “intense mentoring ...

In the fifth year of our MADE Awards competition, the winners covered a wide range of products being conceived and produced in the local market.   The Greater Wilmington Business Journal launched the MADE Awards to spotlight makers, manufacturers, artisans, designers, small businesses and the business that support them in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. ...