Tech on Tap

Our team is in Durham for Momentum Learning’s 2nd demo day. Jessica Mitsch and Clinton Dreisbach are the founders of this fully immersive coding school and are overseeing what is, in effect, graduation day for this cohort of students. Momentum Learning’s promise and mission is to be a stepping stone in the lives of adults looking to make a change in careers or simply looking to add to their skill sets.

 

The audience at Demo Day gathered at the Durham Arts Council to cheer on these former students as their ideas came to life in the form of apps. During our time down in Durham, we spoke to students about their creations, their favorite parts of Momentum's coding school and what is next in their careers. Students worked in groups to tackle problems like small business employee scheduling, networking, data aggregation for the opioid crisis and finding the best places to surf at any given time.

 

Go to momentumlearn.com for more information on Momentum's schedule for coding classes and all other events they put on throughout the year.

This week, Michael (WRAL Digital Solutions) gets to talk to Dr. Reginal Parker is the CEO and founder of Optimal Solar and the winner of the 2018 Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange: Black Founders Demo Day, which took place at American Underground in Durham, NC.

 

As a global startup based right out of Durham, Optimal Solar's mission is to end "energy poverty." Michael and Dr. Parker talk about what energy poverty is and how Optimal Solar is leveraging the sun and capitalism to bring basic needs to people outside of the U.S.

 

Dr. Parker talks more about the tangible and invaluable things that he walked away with after the Google sponsored exchange week and how those intangible things will continue to pay dividends long into the future. Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange Week is a networking and mentorship retreat, bringing together companies in all stages of their life cycle. During this week, entrepreneurs are inspired, revitalized and gain knowledge about how to grow their companies. The pitch event winner came away with startup incubator opportunities and deeper connections to resources and capital.

This week, Michael (WRAL Digital Solutions) gets to talk to Dr. Reginal Parker is the CEO and founder of Optimal Solar and the winner of the 2018 Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange: Black Founders Demo Day, which took place at American Underground in Durham, NC.

 

As a global startup based right out of Durham, Optimal Solar's mission is to end "energy poverty." Michael and Dr. Parker talk about what energy poverty is and how Optimal Solar is leveraging the sun and capitalism to bring basic needs to people outside of the U.S.

 

Dr. Parker talks more about the tangible and invaluable things that he walked away with after the Google sponsored exchange week and how those intangible things will continue to pay dividends long into the future. Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange Week is a networking and mentorship retreat, bringing together companies in all stages of their life cycle. During this week, entrepreneurs are inspired, revitalized and gain knowledge about how to grow their companies. The pitch event winner came away with startup incubator opportunities and deeper connections to resources and capital.

Top Stories: Fidelity Investments chooses the Triangle to head up their new crypto-currency firm. As "First Man," Niel Armstrong moon landing film, takes over the box office, the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill remembers their influence on US space travel. Armstrong himself came to the Triangle and used the planetarium to train for more than 116 hours. LaunchBio's next forum features investment professionals from 8 national non-profit disease foundations to discuss investment philosophies. That forum is a part of LaunchBio's mission to support startups and companies in the life sciences space as an early stage incubator. The Triangle's first Augmented Reality mural comes to downtown Raleigh, courtesy of Taylor White and supported by Google Fiber. You can view Abstract in Motion at 410 S Salisbury St, but the mural faces the 100 block of W Davie St.

This week we honor Flag Therapeutics Inc. for sitting in the Front Seat of Innovation, sponsored by Johnson Automotive Group. Flag Therapeutics recently raised 485,000 to support their glioblastoma research.

Our conversation teaser is with the winner of the Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange: Black Founders pitch event, Dr. Reginald Parker. Michael Talks to him about what his company, Optimal Solar, does and how they want to eradicate "energy poverty."

We end our show with a talk about Kanye's recent visit to the White House and what everyone missed amid the noise and how the music industry might be changing for the artist and consumer because of it.

Top Stories: Fidelity Investments chooses the Triangle to head up their new crypto-currency firm. As "First Man," Niel Armstrong moon landing film, takes over the box office, the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill remembers their influence on US space travel. Armstrong himself came to the Triangle and used the planetarium to train for more than 116 hours. LaunchBio's next forum features investment professionals from 8 national non-profit disease foundations to discuss investment philosophies. That forum is a part of LaunchBio's mission to support startups and companies in the life sciences space as an early stage incubator. The Triangle's first Augmented Reality mural comes to downtown Raleigh, courtesy of Taylor White and supported by Google Fiber. You can view Abstract in Motion at 410 S Salisbury St, but the mural faces the 100 block of W Davie St.

This week we honor Flag Therapeutics Inc. for sitting in the Front Seat of Innovation, sponsored by Johnson Automotive Group. Flag Therapeutics recently raised 485,000 to support their glioblastoma research.

Our conversation teaser is with the winner of the Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange: Black Founders pitch event, Dr. Reginald Parker. Michael Talks to him about what his company, Optimal Solar, does and how they want to eradicate "energy poverty."

We end our show with a talk about Kanye's recent visit to the White House and what everyone missed amid the noise and how the music industry might be changing for the artist and consumer because of it.

In our recent conversation with the executive director of NC RIoT Tom Snyder and program director Rachael Meleney, WRAL.com Marketing Manager Laura Blake dives into NC RIoT's mission, vision and history.

Laura and Tom talk about the beginnings of RIoT and its late founder, Larry Steffan, whose impact on the startup and entrepreneurial community is still being felt.

Laura talks with the team about how IoT is being used to help local government agencies with everything from adverse weather preparedness to parking. NC RIoT's 4 annual pitch competition kicked off in August of this year and it launched its first annual accelerator program. The winner of the most recent pitch event was a High Point University student entrepreneur, Quinn Riddle, who is developing the Ever Safe Bracelet that will help keep kids safe and tracked by their parents, showing that startups and entrepreneurs of all sizes are accepted and encouraged to apply.

Laura ends her conversation with the NC RIoT team talking about RIoT Labs which helps to provide resources to the startup communities, not readily available at typical coworking spaces and incubators.

NC RIoT is hosting an IoT demo night on Oct. 22 and 23. Register for this free event at https://www.meetup.com/NC-RIoT-Regional-Internet-of-Things/events/254555459/ and check out more about NC RIoT and all their endeavors at ncriot.org.

In our recent conversation with the executive director of NC RIoT Tom Snyder and program director Rachael Meleney, WRAL.com Marketing Manager Laura Blake dives into NC RIoT's mission, vision and history.
 
 Laura and Tom talk about the beginnings of RIoT and its late founder, Larry Steffan, whose impact on the startup and entrepreneurial community is still being felt.
 
 Laura talks with the team about how IoT is being used to help local government agencies with everything from adverse weather preparedness to parking. NC RIoT's 4 annual pitch competition kicked off in August of this year and it launched its first annual accelerator program. The winner of the most recent pitch event was a High Point University student entrepreneur, Quinn Riddle, who is developing the Ever Safe Bracelet that will help keep kids safe and tracked by their parents, showing that startups and entrepreneurs of all sizes are accepted and encouraged to apply.
 
 Laura ends her conversation with the NC RIoT team talking about RIoT Labs which helps to provide resources to the startup communities, not readily available at typical coworking spaces and incubators.
 
 NC RIoT is hosting an IoT demo night on Oct. 22 and 23. Register for this free event at https://www.meetup.com/NC-RIoT-Regional-Internet-of-Things/events/254555459/ and check out more about NC RIoT and all their endeavors at ncriot.org.

The first country-wide push alert from the president's office was sent Thursday and the team kicks off the show talking about the implications, the benefits and the challenges that may arise from a new direct line of communication from the executive branch of government to the people.

The other top stories on WRAL Techwire include NC Idea grants to local startups and a new local site that advocates for natural remedies. Jason, Michael and Laura discuss if this will help to change the national conversation on medicinal marijuana use in the long term.

Our Johnson Automotive Front Seat of Innovation Award Honoree goes out to two former student-athletes from UNC-Chapel Hill who created a platform for a fluid gym membership. Localfit is the Airbnb of gym memberships and wants you to stay fit even while you are on the go.

https://www.wraltechwire.com/2018/09/24/chapel-hill-startup-launching-moviepass-style-fitness-club-service-for-travelers/

In our conversation teaser, CBC New Media Director of Marketing Laura Blake got to talk to Tom Snyder about what NC RIoT is and how NC RIoT Labs is helping to change the way coworking is done.

To close out the show, Laura, Jason and Michael talk about the recent legislation in California requiring publicly traded companies to include women on their board. The team discusses the impact and consequences of this landmark decision and if diversity and affirmative action should be legislated in the workplace.

The first country-wide push alert from the president's office was sent Thursday and the team kicks off the show talking about the implications, the benefits and the challenges that may arise from a new direct line of communication from the executive branch of government to the people.

The other top stories on WRAL Techwire include NC Idea grants to local startups and a new local site that advocates for natural remedies. Jason, Michael and Laura discuss if this will help to change the national conversation on medicinal marijuana use in the long term.

Our Johnson Automotive Front Seat of Innovation Award Honoree goes out to two former student-athletes from UNC-Chapel Hill who created a platform for a fluid gym membership. Localfit is the Airbnb of gym memberships and wants you to stay fit even while you are on the go.

https://www.wraltechwire.com/2018/09/24/chapel-hill-startup-launching-moviepass-style-fitness-club-service-for-travelers/

In our conversation teaser, CBC New Media Director of Marketing Laura Blake got to talk to Tom Snyder about what NC RIoT is and how NC RIoT Labs is helping to change the way coworking is done.

To close out the show, Laura, Jason and Michael talk about the recent legislation in California requiring publicly traded companies to include women on their board. The team discusses the impact and consequences of this landmark decision and if diversity and affirmative action should be legislated in the workplace.

This week's conversation is with the Founder and CEO of BetterOn, Ryan Carey.

BetterOn seeks to help businesses and individuals get better on video. Ryan talks about his beginnings at YouTube and what prompted him to go from business sales with the Google subsidiary to starting a company that helps others make real connections in front of a camera.

His first foray into producing content was with his own YouTube channel "Rycareyously" and what that taught him about finding and cultivating an audience.

BetterOn is based out of American Underground in Durham and has an office in New York where Carey brings in actors to help businesses find their unique voice. Ryan and Tech on Tap co-host Michael Baylor explore how helping individuals become better on camera is really an exercise in self-discovery, self-acceptance and genuine authenticity.