Developing a Startup Ecosystem with Jim Roberts, NEW – Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, NC

Jim Roberts has been helping cities develop and grow entrepreneur ecosystems to help entrepreneurs create a more diverse economy and grow better jobs for their citizens. Jim has 20 years of experience within North Carolina from an independent non-profit to economic development to university-based programs with success. Jim’s personal Contributions to the Wilmington startup ecosystem since 2013: - Opened UNCW CIE Incubator, the first coworking space - started the Coastal Connect, the annual venture capital conference - started High Tide Breakfast, the predecessor to 1 Million Cups (same thing) - Brought NC IDEA to Wilmington as part of the statewide tour about the grant program - Brought NC Technology Association to host events (NEVER received a PENNY of support for work below from city, county, or state) Started the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington for monthly startup events to bring investors to the beach - 2nd highest attendance of any monthly startup event in All of North Carolina - Landed TWO NC IDEA Ecosystem Grants and Engage grants Started the Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE Angel Network) - Over $1 million invested in 16 startups Started the Wilmington Bunker Labs Chapter by raising $25,000 - North Carolina named Chapter of the Year two years in a row Brought First Flight Venture Center to Wilmington for SBIR grant training - This work helped OPIAID win a $275,000 NIH grant and helped them get match grant from state Started the Three Sips of Advice Podcast, one of the first business podcasts at beach Brought a new focus on media attention to the startup ecosystem with out of region coverage from Raleigh / Charleston / Nashville and Atlanta - 2nd most read article in Atlanta based Hypepotamus in 2021 - Top ten most-read articles in GrepBeat in 2020 and 2019 Brought a Michigan-based PBS TV show to film FIVE episodes in Wilmington for national media coverage. Advocate for Wilmington startups on statewide committees with NC IDEA, NCTA, and CED to hel