Greensboro ranks number 9 in the country as a top city for startups, and scores high as a result of its favorable business environment. (source- wallethub, April 2015)
Greensboro, named for revolutionary war hero Major General Nathaniel Greene, is located in the piedmont region of North Carolina. The city, part of the Piedmont Triad is developing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Greensboro ranks number 9 in the country as a top city for startups. According to WalletHub, Greensboro scores high as a result of its favorable business environment.
For further information see 2015’s Best Cities to Start a Business on WalletHub.
Based on this ranking, FundingSage has reviewed the resources that make up Greensboro’s entrepreneurial ecosystem:
Entrepreneurial Meetups:
- Beauties in Bizness
A Greensboro meetup which is focused on building networks amongst women, their businesses and community activities. - Greensboro Entrepreneurship Meetup
Established for everyone seeking an opportunity to start and build their business and strengthen their financial security. - The Greensboro Small Business Meetup
A meetup of small business owners which provides opportunities to network, get advice and find new customers. - Smart Success Business Network of Greensboro
A small networking group for entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to network, develop friendships and become leaders of the community. - Woman on a Mission to Earn a Commission of Greensboro
A business building group for successful women managing careers, families and other obligations which provides an opportunity for them to come together to share ideas, offer support and create solid business alliances. - Young Black Professionals
A social and professional networking platform for young minority professionals ages 20 – 40 in the Triad area. It provides opportunities to make new friends and connections and to enjoy the social and cultural experiences of the Triad.
Check here or an up-to-date list of Entrepreneurial meetups in Greensboro, NC.
Regular Entrepreneurial Events:
- HQ Greensboro – Events
A calendar of entrepreneurial events sponsored by HQ Greensboro. - Tech Tank Tech Events
A summary of events hosted by Tech Tank. - The UNC Greensboro Entrepreneurial Center Program Page
Lists various entrepreneurial programs sponsored by the university.
Startup Competitions:
- Capital Connects
A showcase and pitch event which connects investors with entrepreneurs looking for funding. It is the signature event of the Greensboro Partnership Entrepreneur Connection.
Co-working Space:
- Co//ab
A coworking, entrepreneurial and higher education learning space sponsored by the Greensboro Partnership Entrepreneur Connection and Action Greensboro. It is designed to provide leased desk space and community to for early stage entrepreneurs. - HQ Greensboro
Indicates they are “a shared workspace designed to empower, foster and cultivate companies that produce long-term job growth and positive social impact.” They attempt to accomplish this through access to a trusted support community and flexible, affordable office space.
Greensboro Makerspace:
- The Forge is Greensboro’s makerspace and attracts a community of creative people interested in 3-D printing, machining, woodworking and crafts.
Incubators:
- NC Incubator Association
A volunteer advisory committee which promotes business incubation and assists the existing incubators in the state of North Carolina. - Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship
They have a monthly meetup called “Outsider’s Wednesday ” which takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 8-10. Networking, coffee, conversation. On that same Wednesday of each month they have a “SHIFT” meeting, which focuses on sales for entrepreneurs. This meets from 4-6pm. Different experts on sales topics every month.
Accelerators:
- Triad Startup Lab
An accelerator for startups, early stage and mid-market companies seeking formal training, management experience, access to capital and networking connections.
Angel Groups / VCs:
- Greensboro Community Development Funds
“provide business loans to develop and sustain small businesses and enable them to become part of the mainstream economic revival.” - Piedmont Angel Network
PAN is an angel fund which focuses on investment opportunities in early stage companies in the life sciences, technology, software and advanced material fields.
College / University Entrepreneurial Programs:
- UNC Greensboro offers an undergraduate major for students who desire to become entrepreneurs by starting a business or joining a creative, innovative organization that is entrepreneurial.
Entrepreneurial Newsletter Coverage:
- Greensboro Partnership Entrepreneur Connection
Provides the region a periodic entrepreneurial newsletter.
Are you familiar with entrepreneurial ecosystem infrastructure in Greensboro not included in the article above? If so, let us know via a comment below and we will add it to the article.
Interested in Ecosystem Spotlights of other cities in the southeast, USA?
Augusta, Georgia,Chattanooga, Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee
