Ecosysteming

On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe talks with Tim McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Cofounders Capital. Tim’s connection to NC IDEA dates back to 2015 when he served as a Young Entrepreneur in Residence—now known as a Startup Analyst Associate. Since then, he’s become an active investor and advisor to several companies across the Southeast, including a number of NC IDEA funded startups. Today, he serves as a core reviewer for the NC IDEA #SEED ($50K) grant program. Cofounders Capital is currently investing out of Fund III, a $50M fund led by Tim McLoughlin, David Gardner, and Tobi Walter.

Another episode of Ecosysteming with our host, Thom Ruhe, featuring Prospera USA Vice President José Alvarez . In this special episode, we explore Prospera’s expansion to North Carolina and why they chose our state as their next hub for empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs. As an NC IDEA board member, #ECOSYSTEM partner, and #SEED core reviewer, José offers a must-listen perspective on supporting immigrant entrepreneurs and their impact on our state.

To mark ten episodes of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Jim Roberts, Founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, the WALE Angel Network, and NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM partner. With years of experience as an ecosystem leader and NC IDEA reviewer, Jim has contributed to several entrepreneurial ecosystems and now focuses on supporting Wilmington’s rapidly growing startup scene. Tune in to discover what it takes to build and sustain a thriving ecosystem, along with essential steps to help founders in your city succeed.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Anne Wiper, CEO of The Textile Engine: NSF Regional Innovation Engine. They discuss her accomplished career at Nike, Salomon, Pearl Izumi, Smartwool, and beyond, leading up to her work accelerating innovation in textile sustainability and circularity. Learn how rural North Carolina is uniquely positioned to revitalize the textile industry and cement its role as a thriving economic driver.

Episode 8 of Ecosysteming features host Thom Ruhe in conversation with Frank Pollock, Co-Founder of Home Lending Pal and a leader in other roles. As a former NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grant recipient and a reviewer for both MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K), Frank offers unique insights into the grant process. Recently named one of four regional Entrepreneurs in Residence through NC IDEA’s partnership with NCInnovation, he is working to advance university technology commercialization across the Piedmont region of NC. This conversation explores the evolution of NC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and tips for building a strong NC IDEA grant application.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Tromml CEO and Co-Founder Lauren McCullough. As both an NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K) grant recipient and a former Program Director at NC IDEA, Lauren brings a unique perspective to the table. Together, they dive into the current state of North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, discussing the challenges founders face when navigating the funding landscape and why many are seeking capital outside the state.

In the first episode of Ecosysteming for 2025, host Thom Ruhe sits down with his long-time friend and ELI Founder and CEO, Gary Schoeniger. Together, they explore the underlying beliefs and assumptions that drive entrepreneurial behavior. A world-renowned expert on mindset, Gary authored Who Owns the Ice House: Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur and his latest book, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic That Unleashes Human Potential. Drawing from his extensive experience with everyday entrepreneurs and cutting-edge research, Gary offers a practical how-to guide that not only shows us how to be more innovative and entrepreneurial in our own lives but also how to unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential in others.

This week on Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Krista Covey, President and CEO of First Flight Venture Center. A seasoned ecosystem leader, Krista serves on the NC IDEA board and is a Founding Advisory Board Member for Carry Venture Capital. With a proven track record of building and leading award-winning innovation hubs in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas, Krista shares what makes NC the best state for ecosystem building and entrepreneurship.

Join host Thom Ruhe for a conversation with Dr. Sonja Ebron, CEO and Co-Founder of Courtroom5, to explore AI's impact on the legal system. Courtroom5 equips self-represented litigants with the resources they need to navigate the U.S. civil court system. Dr. Ebron, an NC IDEA SEED and NC BEC GROWTH grantee and a member of the NC IDEA Board, shares insights from her journey and her work at the intersection of technology, justice, and entrepreneurship.

In Episode 3 of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Executive Director of RIoT, ECOSYSTEM partner, and long-time friend, Tom Snyder. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on why investing in homegrown entrepreneurs is more impactful than offering economic incentives to attract industry giants. Together, they explore strategies to strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem and position North Carolina as the best place to start and grow a business.