As the founder and CEO of CloudFruit, a Wilmington-headquartered product development consultancy and software development firm for growing businesses, Sam Hilsman is keenly aware of the struggles of pushing a startup along the racetrack.  Today, CloudFruit operates as a growing, bootstrapped software service firm, showing positive momentum from multiple shipped pro ...

Here is a look at upcoming events of interest to the region’s tech and startup industry. To share an event, email [email protected].  Aug. 26 Every week, UNCW’s CIE hosts 1 Million Cups Wilmington, a forum for entrepreneurs to pitch to and learn from their peers. This week's presentation is from Salt & Rally. Click ...

Raleigh-headquartered Vontier Corp., an industrial technology company, has acquired Wilmington-based EKOS.  The acquisition of EKOS, a cloud-based fleet, fuel and electric vehicle (EV) management software firm, will expand Vontier's fleet connectivity, according to a news release.  “Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in our r ...

The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is shifting its approach to a regional tech workforce initiative.  Initially formed by the Cape Fear Collective using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the Tech Talent Collaborative launched in 2022 to bolster Wilmington’s tech workforce pipeline.  In 2022, city of Wilmington leaders unanimously approv ...

Wilmington-based Predicate AI Labs Inc., a healthcare technology company, has received a patent for its artificial intelligence platform.  The patent marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to license its flagship product, OpenDx, and pursue patents for its additional products.   OpenDx is the AI software platform designed to use data ...

Wilmington startup Electronic Lab Logs has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  According to court filings, the startup, led by CEO Brian Fox, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 1. The company is expected to continue operating while it restructures financially. Founded by Daniel Summers and Jeremy Sikorski in 2018, Lab Logs was designed to improve lab data col ...

Founded by James Martucci in 2023, SideKix is a Wilmington-based startup created, in Martucci’s words, to “redesign broken systems.” The entrepreneurial development platform, which has been self-funded since its launch, is preparing for a national rollout next month.  According to Martucci, while plenty of people may have business ideas, most n ...

Nova Scotia-based data storage server company 45Drives is bringing its fourth annual Creator Summit to Wilmington in October, another signal that the company – and its parent – are putting down roots in the Port City.  A subsidiary of Protocase, a Nova Scotia-based sheet metal manufacturing firm, 45Drives officially opened its 11,000-square-foot facilit ...

AI-based workforce training startup Skillmaker has officially closed its seed funding round with $4.5 million in total, an amount officials say is oversubscribed.  The Carolina Beach-based company plans to use the capital to continue deploying its auto tech training program in partnership with NAPA Auto Care, grow its team and extend its training platform into othe ...

For most aspiring entrepreneurs in the Wilmington area, Jim Roberts is an entry point into a broadening network of founders, mentors and, of course, capital. The founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) and Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE), Roberts is vocal about Wilmington’s potential as a thriving hub for startups and tech com ...