Ecosysteming

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 h...

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 Wi...

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 pers...

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 t...

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. Discov...

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 h...

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...

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 im...

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 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 indus...

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...

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 nav...

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 Entrepreneur...

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...

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 th...

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 ecosyst...

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, J ohn 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 ecosys...