CEO @NCIDEA; Equitable Economic Development by enabling #entrepreneurial potential of everyone, particularly the marginalized. #Ecosysteming.
TWEETS R IMHO.
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Articles by Thom Ruhe
Fearful or fearless? NC IDEA will stay the course of empowering people
DURHAM – In his commencement address at Northwestern University, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker started by quoting the beloved ‘The Office’ character Dwight Schrute. It provided the opening humor that has become expected in a commencement address and set him up for a partisan quip. I found his main points about empathy and kindness particularly salient.
Guest opinion: Megadeals, economic fruit baskets overflowing with millions in tax subsidies aren’t best way to grow NC economy
Editor’s note: Thom Rhue is president and CEO of NC IDEA, an economic development foundation and organization focusing on the entrepreneurial economy that is based in Durham. Note to readers: WRAL TechWire would like to hear from you about views expressed by our contributors. Please send email to: info@wraltechwire.com. +++ DURHAM – I recently attended the NC Chamber and North Carolina Bankers Association’s 21st Annual Economic Forecast Forum.
Thom Ruhe: In the room where it happens
nc ideaEconomic Developmentstartupsthom ruhe by Thom Ruhe — July 1, 2022 . Editor’s Note: Thom Ruhe is the president and CEO of NC IDEA, which recently selected nine startups to receive NC IDEA SEED Grants totaling $450,000 in May. The below note was sent via email to an email newsletter list and has been republished with permission from NC IDEA. +++ DURHAM – Last week was special.
Celebrating John Austin, Triangle startup ecosystem champion
nc ideatriangle startupsJohn Austin by Thom Ruhe, president and CEO, NC IDEA — February 20, 2022 . Editor’s Note: This column is reprinted, with permission, from an NC IDEA email authored by Thom Ruhe, the president and CEO, and sent this past week in celebration of the retirement of John Austin. One or more “facts” may be embellished, Ruhe notes.
Thom Ruhe: We have much for which to be thankful
nc ideathom ruheGratitude by Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA — November 26, 2021 . Editor’s Note: Thom Ruhe is the president and CEO of NC IDEA, which recently announced the recipients of the Fall 2021 SEED grants. This post is one portion of a WRAL TechWire series on gratitude, published in November 2021. DURHAM – We have much for which to be thankful.
Entrepreneurs inspire us despite all that divides, says NC IDEA's CEO
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA — September 6, 2021 . Editor’s note: Thume Ruhe is chief executive officer of NC IDEA., an economic development organization. DURHAM – I spent last year’s Labor Day weekend considering how we would continue to adapt to life during COVID. The 2020 Spring grant cycle had started “normally” (in person) but we were forced to finish it virtually. In so doing, we figured out how to continue the vital work of helping people start high impact companies.
Thom Ruhe: 'North Carolina is made for this moment'
nc ideajobsthom ruhe by Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA — August 6, 2021 . Editor’s Note: the below message was sent in a recent email newsletter from NC IDEA, and is reprinted in this format, with slight edits for clarity, with permission from Thom Ruhe. DURHAM – North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall recently shared data on new business formations for 2021, and the news is promising to say the least.
NC IDEA, Research Triangle Foundation come together to boost NC's entrepreneurs
nc idearesearch triangle foundationstartup spotlight by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA — July 5, 2021 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation.TechWire features Thom and NC IDEA as this week’s Startup Spotlight Startup Spotlight is a regular part of WRAL TechWire’s Startup Monday report featuring our Startup Guide, calendars of events, a guide to Triangle meetups and a recap of recent startup/entrepreneurial news.
NC IDEA names new board members, sets largest annual budget
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA — June 11, 2021 . DURHAM – June kicks off summer and winds down our fiscal year. Despite marking the halfway point of the calendar year, at NC IDEA it is a time for new beginnings – we change Board Officers, add new Directors, and approve the operating budget for the new year that starts July 1st. The NC IDEA Board of Directors elected a new Board Chair; Peyton Anderson, CEO of Affinergy.
Thom Ruhe: NC IDEA looks to 2021 as a year to step up entrepreneurial support
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA — January 27, 2021 . DURHAM – A week ago our Nation celebrated the inauguration of a new administration. This quadrennial practice is an opportunity for our country to affirm our national values and priorities. From inaugural speakers to the evening’s festivities and performances, many share this day of optimism and reflect hopefully on the future. So naturally, for me, it is a very entrepreneurial moment.
Taking time to say thanks in times of COVID to NC's entrepreneurial community
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — November 24, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – We kicked off Global Entrepreneurship Week with our 2nd annual Statewide Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Summit. Several hundred folks registered to hear from state and national thought leaders about the economic impact of supporting people that start and grow companies.
Thom Ruhe: Economic empowerment through entrepreneurship can unite us
by Thom Ruhe — October 30, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Most of us will conclude that 2020 has been a year like no other. For one thing, it has strained our confidence in civil society and COVID has damaged the economy, threatened public health and safety, and made us question our sense of community and shared values. Frankly, 2020 has seen us more divided than united.
NC IDEA is looking for input to help strengthen our state's entreprenurial ecosystem
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — October 20, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Over the last several months, I have had the good fortune to serve on a couple of worthwhile efforts to identify better economic development priorities in response to these unprecedented times.
NC IDEA seeking applicants for new grant program focusing on Black community
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA — October 6, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Less than 90 days ago, we announced our ambition to form the North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council, the NC BEC. Since making the announcement, we had a public call for applications, formed the Council of 25 accomplished individuals, established governance protocols and formed various committees.
Black, Brown entrepreneuers face disproportionate hurdles – NC IDEA's new council is here to help | WRAL TechWire
nc ideathom ruheracial equalityNC IDEA Black Entrepreneurship Council by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — August 28, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Rhue is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Several weeks ago, we announced our intention to form a Black Entrepreneurship Council. Inspired by a rich history of successful Black entrepreneurs in North Carolina, it is now (past) time to reclaim that history and help Black founders write new chapters.
Tech ecosystem report is good news for North Carolina, says NC IDEA's CEO
nc ideathom ruheStartup Genome by Thom Ruhe — June 26, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is chief executive officer of NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Startup Genome, a policy advisory and research organization committed to accelerating the success of startup ecosystems, today released the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020. The GSER 2020 ranks metro areas around the world that are supporting ecosystems that promote startups and the economic benefits from doing so.
NC IDEA: It's time to rethink economic development priorities
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — May 4, 2020 . Editor’s note: Tom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – Last week we announced the award of sixteen grants ($10,000 each) to startup companies across North Carolina. Since the MICRO program started in Spring 2018, we have awarded over $600,000 to 61 young companies across the state.
Thom Ruhe: Why NC Idea Foundation launches new fundraiser for startups
by THom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation CEO — March 27, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe, CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation, explains in a blog why the organization has launched a new fundraising program targeting startups. DURHAM – Now more than ever … Our early stage entrepreneurs need support. Young firms are fragile but vital in restoring our economic potential; employment growth in particular, and they need your help to survive this global challenge.
NC IDEA Foundation presses on with statewide entrepreneurship campaign
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — February 24, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO and President of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – How did you spend National Entrepreneurship Week? Not to be confused with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) which this year will be the week of November 16th, National Entrepreneurship Week is a congressionally chartered initiative founded in 2006 – and a good excuse early in the calendar year to focus on entrepreneurship priorities.
'Ecosysteming:' NC IDEA's goal of advancing inclusive economic development, entrepreneurship
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — January 22, 2020 . Editor’s note: Thum Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation, an economic development and entrepreneurship focused group in Durham. DURHAM – When we wrapped up our statewide entrepreneurship ecosystem summit last November, we said we would focus on “Ecosysteming” in 2020; inclusive economic development with entrepreneurship.
NCIDEA shares 2020 priorities: ecosystem summit, micro and seed grant programs
by Thom Ruhe, CEO & President, NCIDEA — December 26, 2019 . As we wrap up 2019 (midway through NCIDEA’s fiscal year) I wanted to share a few priorities we will be focusing on in 2020. Top of mind is our planning (already) for next year’s statewide Ecosystem Summit. Our inaugural event was, judging by post-event survey responses, well received.
NC IDEA aims to put into practice lessons learned from Ecosystem Summit
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA Foundation — December 2, 2019 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation, whichis focused on economic development across North Carolina. DURHAM – Recently, NC IDEA had the great privilege of hosting an unprecedented gathering of North Carolina’s entrepreneurial support community.
NC IDEA summit to explore how entrepreneurship creates economic growth
by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA chief executive officer — September 20, 2019 . Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – It is great to live in vibrant communities with a thriving economy and a robust startup ecosystem. We know from research that thriving economies and robust entrepreneurial ecosystems are usually interconnected and entrepreneurial activity is essential to creating vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities.
NC IDEA invites proposals for its second Ecosystem grant program
Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation. DURHAM – As a son of immigrants, the uniquely American holidays were revered growing up; namely, Thanksgiving and Independence Day. Thanksgiving was particularly sacrosanct for being a time to be thankful for the opportunity to pursue the American Dream, while also remembering that the founding of our nation was accomplished by immigrants.
Thom Ruhe: Latest grants help strengthen NC's economy, startups
Thanksgiving is a special time of year when many pause to reflect on blessings they have received. For the entrepreneurs we support, appreciation often comes from events that have propelled their companies forward like a key hire, funding event, or strategic new client that provides critical validation of their efforts.
Thom Ruhe: Let's build, not buy, Amazon scale companies
Editor's note: Thom Ruhe, CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation which focuses on economic development across North Carolina at the entrepreneurial level, has different ideas about growing the state's economy without investing billions to land the Amazon HQ2 project or another large company. This blog includes two posts Ruhe published at LinkedIn and is reprinted with his permission.
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