UNCW Entrepreneurship Center NewsletterAugust 2010
While many of us were trying not to melt this summer, the Center was hard at work evaluating progress, traveling overseas and establishing goals for the next six months. Since inception the EC has created the Rocket Pitch Event, which has helped foster investment and business relationships. It has launched the Wachovia Entrepreneurial Speaker Series and begun creating a searchable database of local startup companies. It has also helped recruit two startups to the region and collaborated on faculty research and created student internships. All with a limited amount of resources and numerous challenges.

The next six months will see the launch of some exciting new initiatives including Global Entrepreneurship Week and Envision, a television show on local entrepreneurship co-produced with UNCW-TV. The Center will also continue to connect entrepreneurs in the region and play a key role in the Cape Fear Future project in making Southeast North Carolina an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and creates jobs and opportunities.
 
Sincerely, Jonathan Rowe
In This Newsletter
Fall Event Schedule - Mark Your Calendars
Why Join the Entrepreneuership Center?
UNCW Graduate Builds Entrepreneurship in New Zealand
Fall Event Schedule - Mark Your Calendars
barbqThe Entrepreneurship Center continues its series of monthly events while adding some exciting new twists and initiatives to the slate. Please mark your calendars. Event location and related information will be emailed prior to each event. To ensure attendance at all events please become a member today.
 
August 26th, 5:30pm - Entrepreneurial Speed Dating RSVP HERE
September 19th, 5pm: Wachovia Speaker Series
September 20th, 8am - 5pm: NC Entrepreneurial Summit
October 27th 5:30pm: Rocket Pitch Series
November 5th, 8am: Social Media Workshop
November 16th - 18th: Global Entrepreneurship Week
Why Join the Entrepreneurship Center?
EC Logo LargeBecause you believe entrepreneurship is one of the key pieces of our region's current and future economy. Because you want to meet and network with fellow entrepreneurs. Because you have skills, knowledge and experiences that can help others launch and grow companies. Because you need help and support to grow your business. Because you are tired of other organizations and events that waste your time and provide no clear value. Become a member today. Annual membership starts at $75.
UNCW Graduate Builds Entrepreneurship in New Zealand
RobbiePaulAsk any of Robbie Paul's family members and they will tell you he has always sought opportunities and had that special ability to find resources and make things happen. As a student at UNCW, Robbie refined those skills as an Entrepreneurship and Business Development Major, which culminated in him winning the 2008 UNCW Business Plan Competition. Upon graduation that same year Robbie took his graduation gifts and bought a plane ticket to New Zealand, a place he had fallen in love with as an exchange student in 2007. Using Entrepreneurship Center connections, Robbie volunteered at the International Center for Entrepreneurship (Icehouse) in New Zealand. Two years later Robbie is now the Start-up Funding Manager of the Icehouse. He helped raise over $1.2 million in grant funding for the Icehouse and recently hosted John Payne in NZ, an American who is considered the "Father of Angel Investing".
Entrepreneurial Statistic: According to the National Angel Capital Association angel investors invest in 50,000 companies on average per year in the U.S. By comparison, venture capitalists invest in 3,500 companies on average per year in the U.S.
Member Profile
Reid Wilson,
Founder and CEO of Quintify Database Solutions
reidwilson
Reid has been in technology his entire career and has helped build the software platforms for some of Wilmington's top companies. With Quintify, Reid and his team have built a revolutionary customizable online database system that manages all parts of an organization and is scalable as a company grows. Quintify already boasts a growing list of national clients. The EC has helped Reid network with fellow entrepreneurs and create business opportunities.
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Enov8t 2010 Graduates Young Entrepreneurs
Enov8t
Twelve area high school students embarked on a weeklong program this summer that taught them the the skills, knowledge and attitude required to be an entrepreneur. The training took place in the classroom with professors, SBTDC counselors and guest speakers as well as through leadership and team building experiences on the UNCW ropes course. The week culminated in each student delivering a Rocket Pitch to an audience of Parents, EC Members, and the community. As one Parent shared with us recently, her son can't stop looking for business opportunities.
 
 enov8t2
Enov8t 2011 will take place June 20th - 24th.