The greater Wilmington startup ecosystem gained some attention in recent statewide announcements, including a pitch challenge win, capital awards and a new global ranking.   Last week, the NC Tech Association hosted its State of Tech Exponential conference in Durham. Ocean Isle Beach-based medical imaging startup Artemis Immersive took home first prize in the event& ...

Gloria Monroe, interim director of the Small Business & Technology Development Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, was named the center's permanent director on Tuesday, according to an announcement from SBTDC.   Monroe served as interim director for nearly a year, starting the role in June 2023. She has worked at SBTDC for seven years, acc ...

Wilmington-based health technology company Predicate Healthcare Performance Group (HPG) won the 16th Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year award Wednesday.   Morris Nguyen, co-founder and CEO of the AI health care company, accepted his award, the Coastal Entrepreneur Award signature surfboard, to a standing ovation from hundreds in the audience at the University of North ...

Channel, an inclusive small business center powered by Live Oak Bank, partnered with the University of North Carolina School of Law Institute for Innovation to host three legal clinics for Wilmington small businesses and nonprofits.   Chakema Clinton-Quintana, the director of Channel, connected with UNC Law about how to fill the gaps in what the organization provide ...

When two Surf City dudes, Cody Leutgens and Steve Christian, realized the community they loved had a shortage of good, casual restaurants, they decided to address the situation.  They came up with Shaka Taco, a small taco joint selling fresh, locally sourced seafood. From that lowly beginning, Shaka Taco has expanded to three locations, each with a dedicated and gr ...

Kimberly Lupo started Portrett Pharmaceuticals after working in the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) industry for several years.  She wanted to do something different with her company: Provide customer service beyond what was expected at other companies and offer a better work environment and mentorship for her employees.  She star ...

Adrienne Arrington-Kenion had a problem. Actually, a plethora of problems. Like something out of a Pepto commercial, she was struggling with heartburn, indigestion, an upset stomach and nausea. But over-the-counter medications did nothing to provide Arrington-Kenion with some relief. “I Googled what people use before medicine, and herbs is what came up. So I ...

After Stevie Burke lost a friend to an overdose, he committed himself to finishing what that friend had started – a platform for people struggling with addiction. As one of the founders and CEO of Clean Community Inc., Burke said he wants to decrease the glorification of drugs and alcohol on mobile devices, personal computers and other areas. “I am dedica ...

After medical school, most graduates move on to residency and specialization in the medical field. Morris Nguyen went into technology instead. Upon earning a master’s in business administration and a medical degree from the University of Michigan, Nguyen worked for medical device companies such as Edwards Lifesciences and Teleflex. “I really thought I cou ...

Lots of kids, and adults, enjoy collecting and trading sports cards. Matthew Ham Jr. (called Little Matt) had another idea. He turned his passion for sports cards into a profitable online business, Ham House Sports. Thirteen-year-old Little Matt got the idea after visiting a sports card shop on a family vacation. He enlisted his father, Matthew Ham Sr. (Big Matt), to be ...