{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"NC Tweener Talks","title":"Tweener Madness 2026: Meet the Exceptional 8","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/92b11bc0\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1487,"description":"This episode kicks off Season 2 of Tweener Madness and sets the stage for what’s ahead. You’ll get:\nThe evolution of Tweener (from list → fund → statewide platform)\nWhy this competition exists (and why founders love it)\nHow the bracket works\nWhat judges are actually looking for\nAnd of course… the reveal of all 8 competing companies\nThis isn’t just a competition. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how early-stage investors think.\n🔥 What Were the Biggest Takeaways From the Selection Show?\nTweener officially expands statewide with NC IDEA partnership\n$4M investment from NC IDEA fuels the next phase\n50+ startups applied from across North Carolina\nFocus on venture-scale, IP-driven companies (not lifestyle businesses)\nReal investor judges, real feedback, real decisions\nFounders iterate pitches throughout the competition\nEpisodes drop starting March 31, leading to a live championship\nThe stage is set. The pitches are ready. Now it’s time to see who can rise above the rest.\n\nTimestamps\n 00:00 – Welcome to Tweener Madness 2026\n 00:40 – Tweener origin story (List → Fund → Media)\n 02:40 – NC IDEA partnership + statewide expansion\n 04:00 – Why founders love this format\n 05:00 – Sponsors + ecosystem support\n 06:20 – Meet the judges\n 10:10 – How the bracket works\n 12:00 – Selection criteria explained\n 15:20 – What didn’t make the cut (and why)\n 17:40 – The Exceptional 8 revealed\n 22:20 – Bracket matchups\n 23:30 – What’s next + episode schedule\n\n--- \nThis episode of Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented and produced by NC Tweener Fund, with creative assets and design support from Walk West. \nWe couldn’t share posts like this without our amazing sponsors: \nPlatinum: \nNC IDEA: https://ncidea.org\nGold Sponsors: \n- Balentine: https://www.balentine.com/triangle-entrepreneurs \n- EisnerAmpner: https://www.eisneramper.com \n- Robinson Bradshaw: https://www.robinsonbradshaw.com \n \nSilver Sponsors: \n- Automated Consulting Group: https://automated.co \n- Bank of America:...","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}