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Event Spotlight
🤝 Where founders and investors meet
Snag your early bird tickets for Grep-a-Palooza. | Photo by Colin Rowley via Unsplash
Ready to “grep” the spotlight? Grep-a-Palooza returns Thursday, June 4 at the Durham Convention Center, bringing together founders, investors, and startup supporters from across the Triangle. The full-day conference features keynote speakers, panels, networking, and startup pitches. Early-stage teams can apply to pitch and get front and center with leading angels, investors, and mentors. Tickets start at $149, with early bird pricing available through Tuesday, March 31.
Asked
Learn
🎤 Pitch prep shortcut
Practice your pitch out loud, time it, and get feedback from someone outside your company. Knowing how to tell your story clearly (and quickly) is crucial. Want a few more tips? Here’s what Shopify recommends for nailing your pitch.
Asked
Asked
How long should an early-stage startup pitch usually last at a conference like Grep-a-Palooza?
A. 30 seconds B. 2-5 minutes C. 10 minutes D. 30 minutes
$203 million — that’s how much Duke University plans to invest across the Triangle to boost economic mobility. The initiative will expand hiring, increase local business partnerships, and create new contract opportunities that support job growth and small business development. (Business NC)
Development
VinFast plans to resume construction on its Chatham County EV plant this year, targeting production by 2028. The revised timeline and lower hiring expectations signal a scaled-back project, but still represent a potential boost for long-term manufacturing jobs and regional economic development. (The News & Observer)
Job
Turn passion into impact with PBS NC as their new Chief Development Officer. Lead fundraising, cultivate donors, and support statewide growth. Hybrid role in RTP, $160,000-$180,000. Priority applications are due tomorrow, March 24.
Leadership
After two decades leading the North Carolina Community Foundation, CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside will step down at the end of 2026. During her tenure, assets grew to over $600 million, with more than $300 million in grants awarded. A national search for the next leader is underway. (Triangle Business Journal)
Jobs
Siemens is investing $165 million to build two 140,000‑sqft factories in Knightdale and Wendell, creating 350 jobs. The plants will produce power distribution and automation gear essential for AI data centers, leveraging the Triangle’s workforce pipeline and rising demand for domestic manufacturing. (Triangle Business Journal)
Asked
Who’s a woman in Raleigh’s business community making waves right now? From founders and CEOs to innovators and entrepreneurs, nominate someone creating real impact — big or small — for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
Tech
A new group is aiming to put NC at the forefront of blockchain and AI. The NC Blockchain + AI Initiative will focus on policy, education, and industry alignment, positioning the state as a leader in emerging tech as competition ramps up nationwide. (North State Journal)
Launched
Former Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest has launched the North Carolina Blockchain and AI Initiative, a new coalition aimed at shaping policy around emerging technologies. The group will connect businesses, lawmakers, and researchers—positioning North Carolina to attract investment, guide regulation, and support job growth in AI, crypto, and energy sectors. (The Carolina Journal)
Biz
Small businesses continue to hire — but finding skilled workers is a challenge. The National Federation of Independent Business reports that about a third of openings remain unfilled, with wage pressures rising. Pro tip: Raleigh employers can tap NCWorks Online to connect with qualified candidates and labor market resources. (North State Journal)
Thought Leadership
Ahead of his 85th birthday, former Charlotte mayor and longtime attorney Richard Vinroot reflects on a lifetime of leadership shaped at UNC-Chapel Hill under Dean Smith, shares lessons on service and duty, and explains why staying involved in your community still matters in a new Triangle Business Journal interview.
Events
Agenda
Editor’s Picks
Lunchbox Lecture with Cheetie Kumar | Thursday, March 26 | 12-1 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | Free | Don’t miss this Q+A with one of the chefs shaping Raleigh’s food scene.
Bay FC vs. NC Courage | Saturday, March 28 | 7 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park | $23+ | During this match, the Courage will shine a spotlight on standout students with their expanded Game Changers program.
Monday, March 24
ULI Carolinas Meeting | Monday, March 24-Tuesday, March 25 | Time vary | Raleigh Convention Center |
8th CRISPR AgBio Congress | Monday, March 23-Wednesday, March 25 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sheraton Raleigh Hotel | $2,199+
405 Morson St. | 2,025 sqft | $895,000 | Near downtown Raleigh, this two-story commercial property offers OX-3 zoning for office, creative, or mixed-use uses, with expansion potential in a growing urban neighborhood.
Office, for lease
3200 Beechleaf Ct. | 11,425-19,571 sqft | Call for rate | Beechleaf in Midtown Raleigh offers three upgraded office spaces with premier visibility, easy access to I‑440 and major corridors, modern amenities, and proximity to top dining and retail.
6601 Six Forks Rd. | 5,084-9,265 sqft | Call for rate | Located in the highly desirable Midtown neighborhood, surrounded by shopping, dining, services, and entertainment.
Fenton, 12 spaces available | 2,335-32,517 sqft | Pricing varys | Fenton has 12 prime office spaces available in a 92-acre mixed-use village, perfectly situated between Raleigh, RTP, and RDU with easy I-40 access and Greenway connectivity.
Retail, for lease
5410 Capital Blvd. | 17,250 sqft | $16.50 sqft/yr | This freestanding property offers high visibility on busy Capital Blvd, with a versatile interior, 52 parking spaces, drive-in and dock-high doors, and a large Pylon sign — ideal for tenants seeking exposure in a vibrant retail and automotive corridor.
Every year, our Raleigh team gets a sneak peek at NCMA’s annual fundraiser, Art in Bloom — and every year, I’m even more impressed by North Carolina’s talented floral artists.
Another local event on my radar: Raleigh Roasts at the City of Raleigh Museum on Saturday, March 28. Sample local coffee, grab a collectible mug, and enjoy unlimited sips from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $12, free for museum members.
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