Southeast Shoutouts | Launch Regional Partnership names Interim Executive Director
Venture135 scheduled for two-day run in late November in Charlotte, NC.
From Huntsville, AL:
Jim Page, Chair of the Launch Regional Partnership, has been named the organization’s new Interim Executive Director.
“Jim is the ideal person to lead Launch through this critical time in its history, especially in the dual role of Chairman and Interim Executive Director,” said Joe Campbell, Chief Legal Counsel for the Huntsville Hospital Health System and a member of the Launch board of directors. “We firmly believe we’re on the cusp of creating something extremely special but, after 10 years of an all-volunteer effort, it’s time for full-time executive leadership. Jim’s proven experience of doing this type of work and his exceptionally strong relationships throughout the region will
expedite our success in implementing our new strategic plan.”
Launch is a coalition of business and community leaders from across North Alabama working to foster regional collaboration and envision a shared future for the area. Founded in 2015, the all-volunteer nonprofit organization’s work has centered around alignment of workforce development efforts, growth of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strategic land use planning throughout its 10-county footprint.
The organization recently completed a strategic plan known as the “Roadmap for the Region,” which further expands Launch’s scope through collaboration on issues such as transportation and infrastructure, as well as regional leadership connectivity.
From Charleston, SC:
Alita, an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused healthcare technology company, has announced it is establishing operations in Charleston County. The company’s investment will create 17 new jobs.
Alita is an AI-powered agent that automates admissions, intake, and hiring for post-acute and senior care providers, engaging families and job seekers 24/7 so staff can focus on people, rather than paperwork.
“In a world that’s gone remote, the only way to build a magnetic headquarters, one that attracts the brightest minds in healthcare and AI, is to offer more than just a desk,” said Alita Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Matt Rosa. “Charleston County has it all: year-round sunshine, a rising tech scene, and that rare mix of ambition and southern hospitality. It’s the kind of place where work-life balance isn’t just a perk, it’s the point. If we’re going to transform post-acute care, we’re going to do it here. On the beach, in the office, and everywhere in between.”
The start-up is leasing a new office space in the Harbor Entrepreneur Center, located at 11 Ewall St. in Mount Pleasant.
From Charlotte, NC:
Venture135 is back and is more exclusive than ever.
The premier venture capital conference is focused on generating quality deal flow and innovation across the fintech and insurtech verticals. This event is highly strategic, with personalized invites to the industry’s top venture capital firms, investors, growth funds, corporate venture teams, and corporate innovation teams.
The two-day conference, set for November 20 and 21, will showcase the top Series A and Series B companies from across the globe, with a highlight on Seed Stage-ready start-ups with founders from traditionally underrepresented demographics. Also, in partnership with Connetic Ventures, Venture135 will host a pitch competition and offer one winning company an investment of $200,000.
Who should apply:
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Fintech and insurtech start-up Founders; and
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Those raising Seed, Series A, or Series B rounds.
This year’s conference is primarily invitation-only, with a very limited number of tickets open for purchase.
From Pinehurst, NC:
The Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) has announced that the 2025 Sandhills Entrepreneur Summit will take place November 13 in Pinehurst. This third annual summit has been expanded to a full day of interactive workshops, expert presentations, and networking designed to accelerate business growth in Moore County and the surrounding Sandhills region.
The keynote address, titled “Advancing Entrepreneurship in NC,” will be delivered by Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. He will explain why North Carolina is one of the nation’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship and explore the strengths and resources of this innovation ecosystem.
There will also be three workshops:
- “Laying the Foundation – Is Your Business Built to Last?” It will focus on market validation strategies with Rachael Newberry, Program Director at RIoT.
- “How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single-Page Plan.” This session will focus on a single-page plan for achieving even the most ambitious goals with Dr. Sarah Glova, CEO of Reify Media and a TedX speaker.
- “AI Prompt Engineering for Entrepreneurs.” It will offer a practical AI tools demonstration with Don Shin, Founder and CEO of CrossComm, who will cover ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot.
From Austin, TX:
Governor Greg Abbott has announced that a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant of $250 million has been extended to Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC (Samsung) for the company’s semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor during a meeting with Samsung executives at the Texas Capitol. The project includes more than $4.73 billion in capital investment.
“Texas is home to the future of technology and innovation,” said Governor Abbott. “With approximately $40 billion invested in Texas, Samsung is helping to cement Texas’ position as the leading state for semiconductor manufacturing, bringing in more business investment to Texas communities and creating thousands of good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans. This $4.73 billion investment by Samsung in their Taylor semiconductor fabrication facility will provide a more secure domestic supply of chips for critical U.S. industries and ensure the most advanced chips that will power next-generation technologies are Made in Texas.”
In November 2021, Governor Abbott announced Samsung’s multi-billion-dollar investment to construct the Taylor facility, the largest foreign direct investment in Texas on record.
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