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Wow, what a semester for the EC! First we kicked off 2010 with Wachovia's seed investment in the Center and Brett Martin's incredible presentation and insights on innovation. February brought us an intense panel discussion on entrepreneurship and economic development in our region. March brought us Earl Galleher as part of the speaker series followed by the very popular Rocket Pitch in April. The Entrepreneur Awards on May 21st kept the pedal to the metal. With membership growing exponentially and attendance at events averaging close to 100 people, the EC is here to stay. But summer is no time to rest; it is an opportunity to celebrate and provide
feedback. We will release the fall schedule in two weeks, which includes exciting events and initiatives.
Sincerely, Jonathan Rowe |
Entrepreneurial Grill Out - June 16th
|  Warm summer evenings. Hot dogs, hamburgers, sweet tea and beer.......and entrepreneurship all make for a great event on Wednesday June 16th from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Enjoy an opportunity to relax and get to know your fellow Entrepreneurship Center members at this informal event. And have fun playing entrepreneur trivia for some special prizes. This is a member only event. Registration is required.....RSVP HERE |
Enov8t 2010 for High School Students
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Designed specifically for high school students, Enov8t is a week long program (June 21st - 25th, 9am - 4pm) that teaches entrepreneurship and what it takes to start a business. The week begins with outdoor leadership and team building activities at UNCW's famed ropes course and wraps up when students present their business concepts at a special rocket pitch event. Limited to 25 students, the cost for the entire program is $250. Register your son or daughter now for this amazing experience. |
| Attracting Entrepreneurs to Southeast NC |  As the Entrepreneurship Center becomes the vehicle for connecting and supporting our region's entrepreneurs, it has also started to develop a strong reputation and awareness outside the area. Entrepreneurs and startup companies in places such as Santa Cruz, CA and Michigan have established contact with the Center as they contemplate relocating their companies to the Cape Fear Region. Leveraging Center resources, members, and expertise the EC has been instrumental in attracting two hi-growth companies to Wilmington and is working on recruiting a third. Bringing entrepreneurs to the area helps strengthen our economy, create jobs, and foster innovation. |
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| Entrepreneurial Statistic: According to the Small Business Association the number of entrepreneurs starting businesses in non-metropolitan areas (population <1mil) increased 11.8% in the last two decades while decreasing by 6.8% in metropolitan areas over the same time period. Quality of life, amenties, availability of skilled labor, technology infrastructure, and proximity to higher educational institutions were listed as the main drivers behind this shift. |
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Student Member Profile
Krystal Rucker,
UNCW Student and VP of Programming for Residence Hall Association |  | |
Krystal is entering her senior year at UNCW as an Entrepreneurship and Business Development Major. She balances her studies with her role at the Residence Hall Association where she helps support the 4,000+ UNCW students living on campus. She is currently developing a business plan for an event planning company as part of her studies and is actively involved in the Entrepreneurship Center. |
| Rocket Pitch Videos Added to Website |  |
What happens when you mix 110 people, three street legal race cars valued at over $500k, cool technology gadets, and five fantastic entrepreneurial stories? You get the Rocket Pitch event which highlighted five of our regions top hi-growth companies and entrepreneurs on April 28th at UNCW. All five 8-minute pitches are now available in the
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