Category: Social Impact
-
TEDx Talk with Victor W. Hwang
Paula Pingel
In this TEDx talk, Victor W. Hwang, the Founder & CEO of Right to Start, argues that real economic prosperity comes when communities foster what he calls an “innovation ecosystem”, a social environment where ideas, talent, and capital flow freely, and where everyone has a fair shot at building something new. For those of us Read more
-
NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit Recap
Paula Pingel
I’m thrilled to share that I recently participated in the NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit, which celebrated 20 years of innovation and collaboration in North Carolina’s startup ecosystem. Here are a few key take-aways:1) Together with founders, funders and ecosystem builders, we looked at how far we’ve come and what’s still needed to fuel growth statewide.2) Read more
-
Tom Snyder: Why UNC System should ditch the ‘tollbooth’ mindset for statewide innovation
Paula Pingel
Very thought-provoking article by Tom Snyder, which speaks to the major opportunity in North Carolina to shift from a “tollbooth” model of university IP licensing to a true “launchpad” for statewide innovation. Founder-friendly policies across the UNC System could unlock more startups, more jobs, and more investment—especially in regions that have historically been left out. Read more
-
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘴: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴
Paula Pingel
𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 hashtag#𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆. I was honored to lead the “𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘴: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴” breakout session at the NC IDEA 2025 Summit, along with Dr. Vania R. from Right to Start. Participants learned why advocacy matters, Read more
-
NC IDEA 2025 Summit
Paula Pingel
What an incredible two days at the NC IDEA 2025 Summit. Day 1 featured panel discussions on mayoral perspectives on innovation, barriers to entrepreneurship, and statewide innovation models, as well as a fireside chat between Thom Ruhe and Andrew Yang. The day concluded with the celebratory announcement of the NC IDEA MICRO and SEED grant Read more
-
Innovation at UNC Charlotte – Dr. Liz Johnson
Paula Pingel
I am honored to be assisting Dr. Liz Johnson in getting her incredible innovation to market as a part of my Regional Entrepreneurship role with NCInnovation. Dr. Liz Johnson: Thanks to Trevor Burnett and the team at Global SOF Foundation for including Tyler Hudson, Rick Hudson, and me in Modern Warfare Week Accelerator Alley. On Read more
-
Innovation at UNC Charlotte
Paula Pingel
I am privileged to be a Regional Entrepreneur for the Charlotte region. In this capacity, I partner with NCInnovation to help UNC Charlotte bring their IP to market. Jordan Poler, Ph.D. and his team at the UNC Charlotte Klein College of Science announced that its innovative nanostructured filtration media has passed the rigorous NSF/ANSI 42 and Read more
-
The Pinnacle Dinner
Paula Pingel
I am privileged to be a Founding Member of the NC Pinnacle Dinner. At these dinners we gather leaders from across North Carolina to network and commit to helping each other. Jolaine Elien: Last Thursday, I returned to The Pinnacle Dinner, a night filled with inspiration, purpose, and genuine conversation. I met so many incredible Read more
-
R2S North Carolina Coalition Advisory Circle
Paula Pingel
We had an incredible Right to Start NC Starters Coalition Launch on September 23rd. The event was well-attended by entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs), and civic and community leaders, and featured inspiring legislative and executive guest speakers and panelists. As we carry this momentum forward in “Making Entrepreneurship Opportunity a Civic Priority,” we are honored Read more
-
Incredible Keynote Speaker
Paula Pingel
I was honored when Dr. Sarah Glova agreed to be our Keynote Speaker at our NC Starters Coalition Launch in September of 2025. Dr. Sarah Glova: Thank you so much for having me, Right to Start! Was wonderful to get to join hashtag#entrepreneurs, policymakers, civic and community leaders, and business advocates — all coming together Read more
-
Entrepreneuship at its Best
Paula Pingel
Jenny Stojkovic: This 41 year old CEO was rejected to every job she applied to, then made history as one of the youngest women to take a startup public. Meet Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi. Read her full story now: https://lnkd.in/ggGQwdUW. Born in Detroit and raised in Flint, Michigan, Anjali grew up in a family Read more
-
North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch LI Post
Paula Pingel
Smitha Ragannagari: North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch! What an incredible day it was, bringing together so many dedicated leaders who are passionate about fostering a thriving small business ecosystem right here in our state.A huge thank you to all the leaders who joined the Launch, shared insights and the work you are doing. TRULY INSPIRING!!! Read more
-
North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch on ABC11
Paula Pingel
What an incredible success! Today our NC Starters Coalition Launch brought together passionate leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners committed to making entrepreneurial opportunity a civic priority in North Carolina. A huge thank you to our special guest speakers, panelists, Advisory Circle members, and attendees whose insights, energy, and dedication made this event such a powerful Read more
-
NC Energy Innovation Hub
Paula Pingel
So proud of UNC Charlotte! UNC Charlotte’s efforts to build an energy innovation hub for the Carolinas continue to gain national momentum. The University’s Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization has been named one of 15 finalists in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines competition, advancing to a full site visit from more Read more
-
The Truth About Sustainable Business Growth Podcast Interview
Paula Pingel
I had the honor of being interviewed on “The Perpetual Growth Podcast” with Zac Palmer for his “The Truth About Sustainable Business Growth” episode. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have this important conversation with Zac, who offers an incredible perspective on strategic business growth and operational leadership. Read more
-
Chief NC Gathering
Paula Pingel
I had a fantastic time networking at Sixty Vines with Charlotte Chief Executives, Marie Kelly, Breanne Byrne, Stacie Immesberger, and Kati Everett. Thank you so much, Marie for leading this cozy and delightful night of sharing and strategizing. Read more
-
Seed the South Capital Summit
Paula Pingel
I had an incredible experience at the Seed the South Capital Summit last week; a transformative two-day journey of connection, learning, and celebration with hundreds of industry leaders across Southeast North Carolina. I was inspired by the powerful pitches from local entrepreneurs and gained valuable insights from subject matter experts, including Michael Praeger, the Co-Founder, Read more
-
NC IDEA Ecosystem Partner Event
Paula Pingel
It was inspiring to see CEO Thom Ruhe honor the entrepreneurs, funders, and partners gathered for the NC IDEA Ecosystem Partner event last week. I had the chance to speak with rural entrepreneurs who are actively transforming North Carolina’s rural communities. It was also enlightening to learn about NC IDEA’s unique partnerships, shared by Suzie Koonce, Read more
-
You Can’t See Black When You’re Looking for Gray
pingel
This morning I was trying to find something black, but I overlooked it because I thought it was gray. It occurred to me to write a poem in honor of Black History Month. However, since I am no poet I asked ChatGPT to do it. I was curious to see what pieces of history it Read more
-
Significant Reform Needed Across the Insurance Industry
pingel
While I am pleased to see State Farm setting a positive example, there is a pressing need for significant reform across the insurance industry. Insurance pricing has become increasingly intolerable nationwide, negatively impacting both homeownership and rentals. It is likely that insurance premiums will continue to rise across the U.S. to offset industry losses, further Read more
-
Telesurgery Could Bridge Health Gap
pingel
I believe the extraordinary technology offered by telesurgery has the potential to increase access to out-of-network specialists, thereby reducing the surgical limitations faced in specific regions. Many years ago, I had to seek out-of-network care from surgeons at Stanford Hospital who had mastered the skills and techniques for a particular laparoscopic surgery. This procedure was Read more
-
Millions to Get More Social Security
pingel
This is incredibly good news for almost 3 million retired public-sector workers and spouses!https://lnkd.in/gv6Gp9HC Read more
-
Costco, Builder Eye Low-Cost Homes
pingel
Costco is taking remarkable steps to demonstrate its commitment to a diverse and inclusive America. From standing firm on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs despite potential opposition from stakeholders, to partnering with organizations like Thrive Living to enhance access to affordable housing, the company is setting itself apart. What drives a corporation to Read more
-
‘Revenge’ Good for Malcolm Gladwell
pingel
I’m looking forward to reading Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. While The Tipping Point is a fantastic book, Outliers truly changed my life. In Outliers, Gladwell shows how context and opportunity often set the stage for extraordinary achievement and how environmental influences, timing, and cultural background play key roles in success. He Read more
-
College Closures are Accelerating
pingel
I’ve recently been reminded of the abundant technology and innovation emerging from universities. This is an incredible resource, and if harnessed effectively, bridging the gap between intellectual property and the market through commercialization could bring groundbreaking technologies to both the U.S. and the world. However, this potential faces future constraints, as the U.S. struggles to Read more
-
No Limit to Money-Happiness Link
pingel
Did they really need a study for this? All kidding aside, a new study finds that millionaires and billionaires are happier than those making over $500,000 per year. This contradicts previous research suggesting that happiness levels off at $90,000 per year. I wonder how much of this is due to lifestyle changes, the ability and Read more
-
The Compliment Sandwich Goes Stale
pingel
Adoption is key to managing people from different generations. It’s essential to understand what each generation values and act accordingly. Gen Z, for instance, is bold and accustomed to a fast-paced environment. Therefore, it makes sense that a “wise feedback” technique is likely more effective for them than the traditional “compliment sandwich” approach. https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/the-compliment-sandwich-goes-stale-6116844/ Read more