I was recently speaking with someone about the changes that have taken place in the Charlotte start-up community since I moved here in early 2010.  The progress has been substantial, and I’m truly excited about the entrepreneurial environment that has developed in our city.

 

Here is how I saw things in 2010, and how I see them today.

 

April 2010:

 

• The city was still in a period of aftershocks from the global banking crisis.  Confidence was shaken, and people seemed more focused on not losing money than on making money.
• Terry Cox was a lone ranger on the early stage landscape, banging the drum on behalf of Charlotte entrepreneurs.
• A handful of angel investor forums existed, but their activity seemed to be more about networking than about funding early stage ventures.
• There was no identified early stage success story serving as an example of what was possible in Charlotte.

April 2013:

• The Charlotte Venture Challenge and NC Idea grant competitions are in full swing.  More important than the funds that they provide, these programs put entrepreneurs through the process of articulating their ideas in a structured format, give them invaluable feedback on their ventures, connect them with mentors, and provide them with exposure
• There have been five Charlotte Startup Weekend events, during which entrepreneurs are given an opportunity to pitch and hone their ideas.
• With the launch of Packard Place and the Ben Craig Center there are locations at which entrepreneurs can find others for collaboration (and consolation, when appropriate).
• There are numerous Meetup groups, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to connect with others in their areas of interest.
• CRTEC is providing a structured forum for interaction between area technology executives, and scholarship funds for students in the UNCC College of Computing and Informatics.
• Successful exits have occurred (Peak 10, Yap), providing Charlotte entrepreneurs and investors with evidence that it can happen here.
• The guys at Detailed Block have given a voice to the startup community via their blog.
• Terry Cox is still banging her drum!
• And, if you needed more evidence that huge strides have been made, the Southeast Venture Conference came to Charlotte in 2013.

While Charlotte’s startup community may not yet rival Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, or even RTP, there is something good happening here and I’m really happy to be a part of it.