Charlotte Angel Connection Episode 125: Jim Roberts, Founder of Network for Wilmington Entrepreneurs and much more

Charlotte Angel Connection

Today, we welcome Jim Roberts to the podcast. Jim is a familiar name in the Charlotte area startup and investor ecosystem. Today, Jim runs the Wilmington Angels for Local Entrepreneurs (WALE), Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), and his own consulting firm, Rojo Octo Ecosystem Consulting. Yet, in 2000, he started a non-profit ecosystem in Charlotte before moving to Ashville to start their startup ecosystem and angel network. From there Jim was recruited to work for the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Division in Raleigh. In 2013 he moved to Wilmington to start UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The CIE offers programs, services, and activities to promote and support entrepreneurship and the creation of innovative new ventures in Southeastern North Carolina. Jim has been around the entrepreneur ecosystem since it’s infancy and has helped get several cities off the ground. It was a great opportunity for him to talk about how Wilmington has – and continues to develop/support the startup ecosystem. Jim talks through the difference of what WALE does verses NEW. NEW holds free monthly events for a wide variety of entrepreneurs, investors, professional service providers, and community supporters considering entrepreneurship. The mission of NEW is to make the Wilmington region a more nurturing community for local startup entrepreneurs to improve and diversify the regional economy. WALE on the other hand is a platform for local angels to invest in Wilmington area startups. Jim also dives into the reason why he started WALE, why it is important is to local entrepreneurs and how people (even Charlotte area people) can become members. I also wanted to talk with Jim a little about the differences of working in Raleigh and Wilmington. We also dive into how UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship built an innovation organization in 8 years that has been globally ranked. He explains how they started the ecosystem in the Coastal corridor and their success stories of their first conference. Jim discussed his excitement about the PBS Start-Up Series being filmed in Wilmington. At the end of the podcast, we discuss the future of Wilmington’s ecosystem. Anyone who has talked with Jim knows he has worked tirelessly across NC to build startup communities. It is great to see the Wilmington area getting more than its fair share of press thanks to Jim’s hard work in putting the city on the map. William Bissett is the owner of and an Investment Advisor Representative of Portus Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Portus Wealth Advisors. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener. Portus Wealth Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance. Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under applicable state and federal regulation or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests. Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.