{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"NC Tweener Talks","title":"A New Chapter for North Carolina Startups: Scot Wingo and Robbie Allen on NC IDEA's #Ecosysteming Podcast","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/7e8a2c6d\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3000,"description":"This episode is a special one. We’re replaying NC IDEA’s Ecosysteming Podcast episode featuring Scot and Robbie following the announcement of the new North Carolina Tweener Fund, powered by NC IDEA. (Check out the announcement.) \nThe conversation covers the “why” behind the partnership, how the Tweener model works, why statewide startup data matters, how founders can connect with the fund, and why this effort could attract even more outside capital into North Carolina. It’s part ecosystem strategy, part founder playbook, and part invitation to think bigger about what’s possible for startups across the state.\n\nHighlights covered\nNC IDEA and the formerly Triangle-focused Tweener Fund have joined forces to create the North Carolina Tweener Fund powered by NC IDEA. The partnership expands the Tweener model from the Triangle to all of North Carolina\nRobbie shares his own story of receiving an NC IDEA grant in 2009 and how that support helped launch his startup journey\nScot explains the origin of the Tweener List and how it became the foundation for the fund’s index-style approach\nThe fund is designed to invest in a basket of promising North Carolina startups, helping reduce risk through diversification\nThe discussion reinforces the idea that North Carolina has a uniquely broad startup base across sectors like AI, healthtech, agtech, aviation, manufacturing, ecommerce, and more\nThom Ruhe highlights how better startup data helps ecosystem builders, policymakers, and funders make smarter decisions\nScot and Robbie explain how increased visibility and deal activity can help pull more outside capital into the state\nFounders are encouraged to reach out directly, the approach is intentionally founder-friendly and operator-led\nThe episode also outlines how accredited investors can participate, including through AngelList and, in some cases, retirement vehicles like self-directed IRAs\nNorth Carolina’s startup ecosystem has been building toward this moment for years, and this...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/UEzoK7N1siD9YRaSVBWfZ8B3suSS2aonEIZ5NwBH1Gs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80NjBh/YWVhZTA4ZTUyY2Fl/MDdhNzQwZWFhNDI4/MDc3Zi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}