Ecosysteming

Episode 32 of Ecosysteming is here, now in VIDEO format! Host Thom Ruhe sits down with Carlo Diy, NC IDEA Program Manager, for a conversation that traces Carlo’s path from mission driven work to entrepreneurship education, and how those experiences shaped the way he supports founders today.

Together, Thom and Carlo break down NC IDEA MINDSET and how it is bringing entrepreneurial thinking to North Carolinians through the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (IHEP). Carlo also shares his newest initiative, LEAF (Libraries for Entrepreneurial Advancement Fellowship), a fellowship designed to position libraries to become even more vibrant hubs of entrepreneurial activity and support.

Tune in to hear why the public library may be one of the most overlooked resources in North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and what becomes possible when we fully recognize its potential.

We kick off the new year with a new episode of Ecosysteming featuring host Thom Ruhe and Mitch Smith, Senior Investment Manager at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). They discuss the similarities and differences between NC’s and SC’s entrepreneurial ecosystems and what’s helping SC emerge as a standout state for founders.

Mitch breaks down how SC’s startup landscape is evolving and how SCRA’s funding model goes beyond writing checks by helping startups secure paid pilots and early customers that can translate into significant revenue. They also discuss how these tools support higher-wage job creation, attract outside capital, and build scalable pathways for startups in both urban and rural communities across the state.

We welcome Jenn Summe to the 30th episode of Ecosysteming! As General Partner at Primordial Ventures, Co-Founder of LiLa, and a longtime NC IDEA SEED ($50K) Core Reviewer, Jenn brings deep insight into what makes North Carolina founders stand out and why the state’s startup ecosystem is gaining national attention.

Did you know 57% of Primordial’s portfolio is made up of NC IDEA–funded companies? In this episode, Jenn shares how Primordial evaluates early stage teams and the founder traits that consistently signal potential. You’ll also want to hear about LiLa (Ladies Investing / Local Angels), an educational group that shares learnings and insights on early stage business investment in the Triangle. Tune in!

Charlotte’s entrepreneurial energy is rising thanks to ecosystem champions like Keith Luedeman. He brings an impressive track record and deep experience in ecosystem building and supporting the Queen City’s startup community.

Keith is a successful exited founder, an investor with the Charlotte Angel Fund, an Operating Partner and LP at IDEA Fund Partners, Board Chair at Innovate Charlotte, and an NC IDEA Board Member.

Tune in as host Thom Ruhe talks with Keith about why Charlotte has become the powerhouse ecosystem it is today, what is ahead for the city’s founders, how he sees AI shaping entrepreneurship, and much more.

We welcome Justin Rothwell to the Ecosysteming Podcast. Justin is the former Co-founder and CEO of ProAxion, a 2016 NC IDEA SEED grantee. Earlier this year, ProAxion was acquired by Decide4Action, where Justin now serves as CPO of the ProAxion System.

In this episode, host Thom Ruhe and Justin take a stroll down memory lane, reflecting on the early days of the Triangle ecosystem, Justin’s journey to acquisition, and how betting on himself and following his curiosity shaped his entrepreneurial path.

Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Nathan Goldschlag, Director of Research at the Economic Innovation Group, to the Ecosysteming Podcast. His work sheds light on the forces shaping business dynamism, innovation, and economic opportunity in communities nationwide.

Host Thom Ruhe and Dr. Goldschlag dive into Opportunity Zones, economic divides between neighboring places, the renewed surge in new firm formation, and the growing role of AI in entrepreneurship—offering fresh insights on how our economy continues to evolve.

Each year, state and local governments award nearly $90 billion in economic development subsidies to corporations. Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First (GJF), knows this issue better than anyone.

Dubbed “the leading national watchdog of state and local economic development subsidies,” Greg founded GJF in 1998. GJF is a full-service policy resource center for anyone seeking to reform economic development incentives. He has written, trained, and consulted on economic development for more than 30 years and GJF's 120+ studies have set a long string of research precedents. 

Join host Thom Ruhe and Greg for a candid conversation about the failed economic impact of data centers, the rise of mega incentive deals, and why redirecting those resources toward homegrown entrepreneurship could yield far greater returns.

Episode 25 of Ecosysteming features Representative Dante Pittman of Wilson, North Carolina. Representing House District 24, which includes Wilson and parts of Nash Counties, Rep. Pittman is a lifelong Wilson resident with family roots that go back generations.

In this episode, host Thom Ruhe and Rep. Pittman discuss the strengths of Wilson County, how legislative priorities are set, why entrepreneurship should be nurtured in our communities, what economic development means to him, his path to the North Carolina House of Representatives, and much more.

We are joined by Scot Wingo, General Partner of the Triangle Tweener Fund, Co-Founder and CEO of ReFiBuy.ai, and longtime Podcaster. Having successfully started and exited multiple companies, he has become a champion of the Triangle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting founders and fueling growth in countless ways.

In 2015, Scot created the Triangle Tweener List to highlight local companies with over 10 people or $1M in annual revenue. After seven years of data, he saw a remarkable pattern: these companies had very few closures and often produced the region’s most significant exits. In 2022, he launched the Triangle Tweener Fund to invest in Triangle Tweener companies using an index strategy.

In this episode, Scot shares his entrepreneurial journey, what he believes the Triangle ecosystem needs to improve, and how his latest venture—ReFiBuy.ai—is creating agentic solutions to e-commerce's hardest problems. 

If you’re an aspiring founder eager to understand how to leverage your local ecosystem, this episode is for you. Episode 23 of Ecosysteming features Bernard Worthy, Co-Founder and CEO of LoanWell. As both an NC IDEA SEED ($50K) and NC BEC Growth ($75K) grantee, Bernard offers a powerful perspective on how local resources and networks can shape entrepreneurial success.

Host Thom Ruhe talks with Bernard about the origins of LoanWell, balancing family with entrepreneurship, the role of shared spaces like Provident1898, and the ongoing challenge of enabling equitable access to affordable capital for all.

Tune in to hear how LoanWell has not only created jobs and generated revenue for business owners, but also built a lasting asset that strengthens entire communities.