Ecosysteming

How can a founder fully tap into North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?Founder and CEO of Stem Plug, Rich Gilliam, shares his journey on Episode 39 of the Ecosysteming podcast with host Thom Ruhe.Rich’s path began in engineering and evolved through his Master’s in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill. From there, he became an NC IDEA Startup Consultant Fellow, received an NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) grant, and most recently secured the $120,000 two-year Bold Path Fellowship supported by ECMC Foundation, Provident1898, and NC IDEA.In this episode, Rich reflects not only on milestones but also on challenges, including not being selected for an NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grant and what that experience taught him. Stem Plug is focused on advancing STEM education, sparking entrepreneurial thinking, and building brains beyond books.

Episode 38 of Ecosysteming welcomes Margaret McNab, a longtime friend of the Foundation. Host Thom Ruhe sits down with the Principal and Strategic Advisor of McNab & Company to discuss her accomplished career helping people come together, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity for all.At McNab & Company, Margaret helps leaders communicate their vision with clarity and purpose, specializing in the development and implementation of public relations strategies that drive growth across the economic development, nonprofit, and academic sectors.Tune in for a timely conversation about freelancing, its strong connection to entrepreneurship, and why freelancers can thrive even in a declining job market. Jobs may be decreasing, but the work is still there.

If you are a founder looking for direction on how to tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this episode is for you.Runbin Dong, Founder and CEO of Scale Social AI, knows how to make the most of the resources available to founders across the state. A biomedical engineer turned Serial Entrepreneur, Runbin has built Scale Social AI to help brands capture authentic customer experiences in real time, transforming raw user generated content into high performing assets.Along the way, Scale Social AI has received both an NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and SEED grant ($50K). Runbin has also participated in the FCAT Fellowship, CED’s GRO Incubator, the RIoT Accelerator Program, and more. Beyond leading his startup, he is now giving back to the ecosystem as an advisor for The Seed List, an experiential learning program that connects talented students with innovative companies across the Triangle.If you are wondering how to start, build, and scale a business, tune in for an insightful conversation between host Thom Ruhe and Runbin Dong.

Episode 36 of Ecosysteming welcomes a good friend of the Foundation, Michelle Bolas, President and CEO of NCInnovation.What does it take to turn university research into real economic opportunity for North Carolina? In this episode, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Michelle to unpack NCInnovation's model for moving breakthrough technologies out of public universities and into the market faster, smarter, and with statewide impact.Tune in to hear how NCInnovation is helping reshape economic development in North Carolina and building a model other states may soon look to follow.

2026 has already been a BIG year for NC IDEA and an even bigger one for North Carolina’s startup ecosystem.On this episode of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Scot Wingo and Robbie Allen, General Partners of the newly rebranded NC Tweener Fund, Powered by NC IDEA. The conversation explores the strategic investor relationship between NC IDEA and the Triangle Tweener Fund, and what it means to take this early stage investment model statewide.Access to capital continues to be one of the biggest barriers facing North Carolina founders. When startups can’t find funding locally, they often scale more slowly or look outside the state for investment, increasing the risk that talent, jobs, and economic impact follow.Tune in to find out what this means for the future of North Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem!Disclosure: NC IDEA IS A LEAD INVESTOR IN THE NC TWEENER FUND (THE “FUND”) AND HAS A MATERIAL ECONOMIC INTEREST IN THE FUND, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN THE FUND’S CARRIED INTEREST. CONSEQUENTLY, NC IDEA WILL BENEFIT INDIRECTLY FROM ANY INVESTMENTS THAT ARE MADE IN THE FUND.

Episode 34 of Ecosysteming is a must listen as host Thom Ruhe sits down with Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell. Together, they explore what is driving Raleigh and the Triangle’s momentum and why the region continues to attract entrepreneurs and funders from outside of North Carolina.Mayor Cowell shares her path to public service and explains why entrepreneurship and small business growth are central to Raleigh’s long term success. The conversation highlights key barriers the city and region have faced in recent times, along with the strategies Raleigh and North Carolina are using to respond. Tune in to learn why inclusive growth must be part of the equation so that prosperity expands opportunity for all, not just a few.

Episode 33 of 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 welcomes a familiar face and NC IDEA’s newest team member, Tom Snyder, Vice President of Programs at the Foundation.Host Thom Ruhe joins Tom for a wide-ranging conversation highlighting NC IDEA’s recent joint venture with The Wireless Research Center, and how this collaboration expands NC IDEA’s acceleration services for entrepreneurs across North Carolina and strengthens the statewide entrepreneurial ecosystem.They also dig into what it takes to build entrepreneurial infrastructure that helps founders thrive, how economic development is creating places where people want to live, the revitalization of rural regions, the responsibility elected officials share in supporting entrepreneurship, and much more.

Episode 32 of Ecosysteming is here, now in VIDEO format! Host Thom Ruhe sits down with Carlo Diy, NC IDEA Program Manager, for a conversation that traces Carlo’s path from mission driven work to entrepreneurship education, and how those experiences shaped the way he supports founders today.Together, Thom and Carlo break down NC IDEA MINDSET and how it is bringing entrepreneurial thinking to North Carolinians through the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (IHEP). Carlo also shares his newest initiative, LEAF (Libraries for Entrepreneurial Advancement Fellowship), a fellowship designed to position libraries to become even more vibrant hubs of entrepreneurial activity and support.Tune in to hear why the public library may be one of the most overlooked resources in North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and what becomes possible when we fully recognize its potential.

We kick off the new year with a new episode of Ecosysteming featuring host Thom Ruhe and Mitch Smith, Senior Investment Manager at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). They discuss the similarities and differences between NC’s and SC’s entrepreneurial ecosystems and what’s helping SC emerge as a standout state for founders.Mitch breaks down how SC’s startup landscape is evolving and how SCRA’s funding model goes beyond writing checks by helping startups secure paid pilots and early customers that can translate into significant revenue. They also discuss how these tools support higher-wage job creation, attract outside capital, and build scalable pathways for startups in both urban and rural communities across the state.

We welcome Jenn Summe to the 30th episode of Ecosysteming! As General Partner at Primordial Ventures, Co-Founder of LiLa, and a longtime NC IDEA SEED ($50K) Core Reviewer, Jenn brings deep insight into what makes North Carolina founders stand out and why the state’s startup ecosystem is gaining national attention.Did you know 57% of Primordial’s portfolio is made up of NC IDEA–funded companies? In this episode, Jenn shares how Primordial evaluates early stage teams and the founder traits that consistently signal potential. You’ll also want to hear about LiLa (Ladies Investing / Local Angels), an educational group that shares learnings and insights on early stage business investment in the Triangle. Tune in!

Charlotte’s entrepreneurial energy is rising thanks to ecosystem champions like Keith Luedeman. He brings an impressive track record and deep experience in ecosystem building and supporting the Queen City’s startup community.Keith is a successful exited founder, an investor with the Charlotte Angel Fund, an Operating Partner and LP at IDEA Fund Partners, Board Chair at Innovate Charlotte, and an NC IDEA Board Member.Tune in as host Thom Ruhe talks with Keith about why Charlotte has become the powerhouse ecosystem it is today, what is ahead for the city’s founders, how he sees AI shaping entrepreneurship, and much more.

We welcome Justin Rothwell to the Ecosysteming Podcast. Justin is the former Co-founder and CEO of ProAxion, a 2016 NC IDEA SEED grantee. Earlier this year, ProAxion was acquired by Decide4Action, where Justin now serves as CPO of the ProAxion System.In this episode, host Thom Ruhe and Justin take a stroll down memory lane, reflecting on the early days of the Triangle ecosystem, Justin’s journey to acquisition, and how betting on himself and following his curiosity shaped his entrepreneurial path.Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Nathan Goldschlag, Director of Research at the Economic Innovation Group, to the Ecosysteming Podcast. His work sheds light on the forces shaping business dynamism, innovation, and economic opportunity in communities nationwide.Host Thom Ruhe and Dr. Goldschlag dive into Opportunity Zones, economic divides between neighboring places, the renewed surge in new firm formation, and the growing role of AI in entrepreneurship—offering fresh insights on how our economy continues to evolve.

Each year, state and local governments award nearly $90 billion in economic development subsidies to corporations. Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First (GJF), knows this issue better than anyone.Dubbed “the leading national watchdog of state and local economic development subsidies,” Greg founded GJF in 1998. GJF is a full-service policy resource center for anyone seeking to reform economic development incentives. He has written, trained, and consulted on economic development for more than 30 years and GJF's 120+ studies have set a long string of research precedents. Join host Thom Ruhe and Greg for a candid conversation about the failed economic impact of data centers, the rise of mega incentive deals, and why redirecting those resources toward homegrown entrepreneurship could yield far greater returns.

Episode 25 of Ecosysteming features Representative Dante Pittman of Wilson, North Carolina. Representing House District 24, which includes Wilson and parts of Nash Counties, Rep. Pittman is a lifelong Wilson resident with family roots that go back generations.In this episode, host Thom Ruhe and Rep. Pittman discuss the strengths of Wilson County, how legislative priorities are set, why entrepreneurship should be nurtured in our communities, what economic development means to him, his path to the North Carolina House of Representatives, and much more.

We are joined by Scot Wingo, General Partner of the Triangle Tweener Fund, Co-Founder and CEO of ReFiBuy.ai, and longtime Podcaster. Having successfully started and exited multiple companies, he has become a champion of the Triangle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting founders and fueling growth in countless ways.In 2015, Scot created the Triangle Tweener List to highlight local companies with over 10 people or $1M in annual revenue. After seven years of data, he saw a remarkable pattern: these companies had very few closures and often produced the region’s most significant exits. In 2022, he launched the Triangle Tweener Fund to invest in Triangle Tweener companies using an index strategy.In this episode, Scot shares his entrepreneurial journey, what he believes the Triangle ecosystem needs to improve, and how his latest venture—ReFiBuy.ai—is creating agentic solutions to e-commerce's hardest problems. 

If you’re an aspiring founder eager to understand how to leverage your local ecosystem, this episode is for you. Episode 23 of Ecosysteming features Bernard Worthy, Co-Founder and CEO of LoanWell. As both an NC IDEA SEED ($50K) and NC BEC Growth ($75K) grantee, Bernard offers a powerful perspective on how local resources and networks can shape entrepreneurial success.Host Thom Ruhe talks with Bernard about the origins of LoanWell, balancing family with entrepreneurship, the role of shared spaces like Provident1898, and the ongoing challenge of enabling equitable access to affordable capital for all.Tune in to hear how LoanWell has not only created jobs and generated revenue for business owners, but also built a lasting asset that strengthens entire communities.

Episode 22 of Ecosysteming is here! This week, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Victor W. Hwang, Founder & CEO of Right to Start, for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship as a fundamental right and what it will take to level the playing field for everyone.Victor is a seasoned entrepreneur who has launched multiple companies, organizations, and initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers for aspiring founders. His past roles include serving as Senior Advisor on entrepreneurship strategy at the U.S. Commerce Secretary's Office, VP of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, and author of several influential works.Right to Start is a national, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all. Their latest campaign, America the Entrepreneurial, seeks to renew the nation’s entrepreneurial promise in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.

On this episode of Ecosysteming, we are thrilled to feature Nicola Corzine, CEO and Executive Director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. As the founding leader of this nonprofit dedicated to expanding access and knowledge in entrepreneurship, Nicola brings over 18 years of experience in venture investment, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. She is a recognized thought leader in capital access, innovation, and ecosystem-building.Host Thom Ruhe and Nicola engage in a powerful conversation about the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s role in the national entrepreneurial ecosystem and explore why North Carolina’s ecosystem has distinguished itself across the country.Since its launch in 2014, the Center has empowered more than 100,000 entrepreneurs through free education, mentorship, and immersive programming, while advancing research aimed at identifying and removing barriers to entrepreneurship.

Our 20th episode of Ecosysteming is here! Join host Thom Ruhe for a thoughtful conversation with Farad Ali—business leader, executive consultant, community builder, and passionate advocate for equity. Farad has spent his career advancing the economic empowerment of underrepresented communities and currently serves on several influential boards.In this episode, Thom and Farad explore timely issues around economic development, politics, and the contradictions in how our society approaches diversity—valuing it when it leads to wins, but neglecting it when it comes to sharing.

This week on Ecosysteming we are joined by Paul Corson. With nearly three decades of experience pursuing entrepreneurial initiatives across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, Paul’s work spans the public and private sectors, NGOs, and higher education. His journey has taken him from startups to shaping public policy at the federal level for the Secretary of Commerce, NASA, and the White House. He now serves as Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he leads efforts to spur regional innovation and economic development based on research and technology developed at UTA.Tune in to explore how university led innovation and entrepreneurship touch more parts of our lives than we often realize.

In Episode 18 of Ecosysteming, we are joined by Laura Smailes, Relationship Manager at Everblue and former Assistant Director of Charlotte’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). A longtime NC IDEA MICRO reviewer, Laura has helped shape Charlotte’s entrepreneurial landscape by supporting students, faculty, and community partners in developing ideas and sparking innovation. Her work has helped strengthen NC IDEA’s presence in the Queen City and deepen support for high growth companies in the state. Want to get more involved in your local startup ecosystem? This episode is for you.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Mayor Leonardo Williams of Durham, North Carolina, about leadership, economic development, entrepreneurship, and the untold story behind his viral speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.Mayor Williams reflects on his journey—from music teacher to entrepreneur to public office—and shares how he and his wife, Zwelibanzi Moyo Williams, opened the first Zimbabwean restaurant in the U.S. with just $36,000 and a dream. He explains how those early entrepreneurial lessons now shape his work in public office, and what’s next for the City of Durham.

We are thrilled to welcome David Baxter, Chief Pixel and Strategist at Big Pixel, to this week’s episode of Ecosysteming. Big Pixel is a fully US-based strategic design and development firm that specializes in UX, startups, and a little bit of magic. Their mission? Helping businesses get to the core of what they truly want to achieve.As the leader behind Big Pixel, David offers a valuable perspective on North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, drawing from over 20 years of experience navigating its ups and downs. In this conversation, he and host Thom Ruhe trade stories (and scars) from their own entrepreneurial journeys, offering hard-earned insights and advice to help others navigate their entrepreneurial path.

Navigating a natural disaster is no easy feat — and our friends in Western North Carolina are still grappling with the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene. In this episode, we are joined by ECOSYSTEM partner Jeffrey Kaplan, CEO of Optimist Ventures and Director of Venture Asheville. With deep experience in the entrepreneurial landscape, Jeffrey and his team are working to revitalize the region through an innovative model of venture philanthropy. Their approach — blending capital infusion with accelerator programming — is helping to rebuild a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem. And stick around: Thom and Jeffrey share a celebratory shot in honor of Purim, which happened to coincide with the day of the recording.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, we welcome our friend and #ECOSYSTEM partner Heather McWhorter, Director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Host Thom Ruhe and Heather dive into her journey to Wilmington, NC, and the incredible growth of the region’s coastal startup ecosystem. They explore the rising tide of the Blue Economy—and why it’s capturing national attention. Discover how the UNCW CIE is fueling high-impact startups with education, connections, and incubation space, helping southeastern North Carolina thrive as a vibrant hub of innovation.

It’s not every day you get a masterclass in leadership and team building. On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Liz S. Brigham for an insightful conversation on leading with purpose. As the W. Spencer Mitchem Executive Director of The Hurt Hub@Davidson and an NC IDEA #ECOSYSTEM partner, Liz brings deep experience to North Carolina’s entrepreneurial landscape—having held leadership roles at Morningstar, Disney Parks, Jive Software, and more. Tune in to hear how The Hurt Hub@Davidson is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Davidson and across the greater Charlotte region.

On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe talks with Tim McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Cofounders Capital. Tim’s connection to NC IDEA dates back to 2015 when he served as a Young Entrepreneur in Residence—now known as a Startup Analyst Associate. Since then, he’s become an active investor and advisor to several companies across the Southeast, including a number of NC IDEA funded startups. Today, he serves as a core reviewer for the NC IDEA #SEED ($50K) grant program. Cofounders Capital is currently investing out of Fund III, a $50M fund led by Tim McLoughlin, David Gardner, and Tobi Walter.

Another episode of Ecosysteming with our host, Thom Ruhe, featuring Prospera USA Vice President José Alvarez . In this special episode, we explore Prospera’s expansion to North Carolina and why they chose our state as their next hub for empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs. As an NC IDEA board member, #ECOSYSTEM partner, and #SEED core reviewer, José offers a must-listen perspective on supporting immigrant entrepreneurs and their impact on our state.

To mark ten episodes of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Jim Roberts, Founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, the WALE Angel Network, and NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM partner. With years of experience as an ecosystem leader and NC IDEA reviewer, Jim has contributed to several entrepreneurial ecosystems and now focuses on supporting Wilmington’s rapidly growing startup scene. Tune in to discover what it takes to build and sustain a thriving ecosystem, along with essential steps to help founders in your city succeed.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Anne Wiper, CEO of The Textile Engine: NSF Regional Innovation Engine. They discuss her accomplished career at Nike, Salomon, Pearl Izumi, Smartwool, and beyond, leading up to her work accelerating innovation in textile sustainability and circularity. Learn how rural North Carolina is uniquely positioned to revitalize the textile industry and cement its role as a thriving economic driver.

Episode 8 of Ecosysteming features host Thom Ruhe in conversation with Frank Pollock, Co-Founder of Home Lending Pal and a leader in other roles. As a former NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grant recipient and a reviewer for both MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K), Frank offers unique insights into the grant process. Recently named one of four regional Entrepreneurs in Residence through NC IDEA’s partnership with NCInnovation, he is working to advance university technology commercialization across the Piedmont region of NC. This conversation explores the evolution of NC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and tips for building a strong NC IDEA grant application.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Tromml CEO and Co-Founder Lauren McCullough. As both an NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K) grant recipient and a former Program Director at NC IDEA, Lauren brings a unique perspective to the table. Together, they dive into the current state of North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, discussing the challenges founders face when navigating the funding landscape and why many are seeking capital outside the state.

In the first episode of Ecosysteming for 2025, host Thom Ruhe sits down with his long-time friend and ELI Founder and CEO, Gary Schoeniger. Together, they explore the underlying beliefs and assumptions that drive entrepreneurial behavior. A world-renowned expert on mindset, Gary authored Who Owns the Ice House: Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur and his latest book, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic That Unleashes Human Potential. Drawing from his extensive experience with everyday entrepreneurs and cutting-edge research, Gary offers a practical how-to guide that not only shows us how to be more innovative and entrepreneurial in our own lives but also how to unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential in others.

This week on Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Krista Covey, President and CEO of First Flight Venture Center. A seasoned ecosystem leader, Krista serves on the NC IDEA board and is a Founding Advisory Board Member for Carry Venture Capital. With a proven track record of building and leading award-winning innovation hubs in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas, Krista shares what makes NC the best state for ecosystem building and entrepreneurship.

Join host Thom Ruhe for a conversation with Dr. Sonja Ebron, CEO and Co-Founder of Courtroom5, to explore AI's impact on the legal system. Courtroom5 equips self-represented litigants with the resources they need to navigate the U.S. civil court system. Dr. Ebron, an NC IDEA SEED and NC BEC GROWTH grantee and a member of the NC IDEA Board, shares insights from her journey and her work at the intersection of technology, justice, and entrepreneurship.

In Episode 3 of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Executive Director of RIoT, ECOSYSTEM partner, and long-time friend, Tom Snyder. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on why investing in homegrown entrepreneurs is more impactful than offering economic incentives to attract industry giants. Together, they explore strategies to strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem and position North Carolina as the best place to start and grow a business.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe sits down with NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K) grantee Leah Wyrick, founder of Three Strands Recovery Wear. Leah shares her journey as a founder from Winston-Salem, NC, and how her mother’s battle with breast cancer inspired her to develop an innovative recovery bra that is transforming the healing experience for women across the country.

In the debut episode of Ecosysteming, NC IDEA CEO and host Thom Ruhe sits down with long-time friend, retired colleague, and self-appointed NC IDEA historian, John Austin. Together, they explore the evolution of North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and reflect on the nearly 20-year history of the Foundation. They also discuss today’s entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting what our ecosystem needs to thrive amid current challenges.