Southeast Shoutouts | Center for Entrepreneurial Development issues its 2024 Impact Report
he Southern Company and EPRI launch a pilot program to advance technologies that will support an affordable, reliable, and resilient energy future.
From Durham, NC:
The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) has released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting a pivotal year of transformation for North Carolina’s start-up ecosystem and setting the course toward an ambitious 10-year target: unlocking $20 billion in new enterprise value in the Triangle region by 2034.
The report outlines CED’s bold repositioning around three interconnected communities:
- FORGE (founders and operators);
- ACCELERATE (investors); and
- CONNECT (ecosystem partners).
Other highlights in the report include:
- 706 start-ups supported through 13,111 hours of programming and coaching;
- More than 1,000 curated introductions connecting founders to capital, partners, and talent;
- A 47 percent engagement rate with underrepresented founders across programs; and
- Launch of Dealroom, a public dashboard tracking real-time startup and investment activity across the region.
“Start-ups aren’t a niche in our economy—they are the engine,” said Kelly Rowell, CED’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year, we’ve seen just how powerful this ecosystem can be when we align founders, funders, and partners around a shared mission and measurable progress.”
The full report can be found here.
From Aiken, SC:
The Aiken Standard reports that local leaders in business and education say the Aiken area is poised to become a hub of innovation through the construction of $171 million in facilities that will foster collaboration between scientists, educators, researchers, cyber security experts and local industries, creating a synergy that will be attractive to high-tech investment and have a positive impact on local economic development.
The centerpiece is the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, a $50 million facility in the final stages of construction on the campus of the University of South (USC) Carolina Aiken. More than 100 scientists and engineers from the Department of Energy’s Savannah River National Laboratory will work in the 60,000 square foot facility, which is scheduled to open this summer.
Advanced Manufacturing is the use of emerging technologies, processes, and material to improve manufacturing efficiency, productivity and quality.
Other facilities on which ground was broken last week include a $31.8 million, 43,000-square-foot S.C. National Guard Cyber Integration Center, which will be built on the USC Aiken campus next to the AMC, and a $13 million, 24,000-square-foot S.C. National Guard Readiness Center near the Convocation Center.
From Atlanta, GA:
The Southern Company and EPRI, a non-profit energy research and development organization, are launching a pilot program to advance technologies that will support an affordable, reliable, and resilient energy future. The Emerging Technologies Pilot Program (ETP) is a collaborative initiative that will accelerate the validation and deployment of cutting-edge energy solutions. This unique collaboration will leverage Southern Company’s ability to serve energy to homes and businesses and EPRI’s experience connecting start-up companies with energy providers through its Incubatenergy Labs (IEL) program.
The ETP program is designed to address many of the challenges major corporations often face when implementing new products or services and aims to shorten the amount of time it takes to gain value from novel technologies. Maximizing this “time to value” will provide access to smaller companies that can help the power industry to more rapidly assess, prepare and eventually integrate technologies that will shape the future of energy.
Under the program, Southern Company will identify critical strategic and operational needs, and EPRI will utilize its extensive network and technical expertise to connect with companies whose technologies meet those business objectives. Based on EPRI’s research and insights, Southern Company will then prioritize and advance he most promising concepts for potential future development.
From Wilmington, NC:
Wilmington’s status as a top start-up ecosystem was highlighted by the recent annual investor Buzz In held in mid-May. Hosted by the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, the event attracted investors, start-ups, and industry leaders. The Buzz In, which took place at Cape Fear Community College, featured a packed agenda, including insightful discussions and networking opportunities for attendees. Keynote speakers and panels explored various themes in innovation and investment, focusing on the region’s potential.
According to the Global Start-up Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink, Wilmington ranks #1 in the world for small cities with populations under 300,000 and #2 in North Carolina. The event, which t
From Orlando, FL:
The Florida Early Stage Venture Conference completed its two-day run on June 3. Held on the campus of the University of Central Florida, the event featured presentations from 40 selected early stage companies, as well as keynote speakers, educational sessions, and other networking opportunities. There was also a Statewide Collegiate Start-up Competition.
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