Filings for new businesses in the Cape Fear region have continued at a steady pace following a post-pandemic burst of activity.  North Carolina ended 2022 with its second-highest year of new business filings on record, followed by a record-setting 2021. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said filings last year were 70% higher than new business creations in 2019.&nb ...

Although Wilmington has a lot to offer, a thriving venture capital market isn’t among its highlights.    Longtime Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo counts the lack of a flourishing venture capital (VC) market as a major missing local link. “You might have a company that has been talked about or created even here in Wilmington,” Saffo said, “bu ...

Small business owners in Brunswick County with small projects that would promote their businesses can now apply for a grant specifically aimed at boosting their endeavors. Duke Energy has provided its Revitalization Grant to the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce which will work with the South Brunswick Business Development Committee to distribute funds. A total of ...

Serial entrepreneur Carlton Brown ran a print company out of his Carolina Beach condominium for years without knowing how to turn on a copy machine.    “I know nothing about the print business,” he said.    Brown started what is now Island Print & Promo as an online-only store in 2016 and programmed the website himself, initially int ...

A Wilmington startup with a solution for toe walking has received a grant from NC IDEA Foundation, according to a press release Tuesday. Project Heel was named one of 15 startups in the state selected as winners of the ninth NC IDEA MICRO grant cycle. The grant is designed for small projects by young companies looking to “validate and advance their ideas,&rdquo ...

Beth Wilkerson has taken on the role of regional director of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Wilkerson comes to the role following former director Heather McWhorter’s transition in June to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as its new director. Wilkerson most recently serve ...

Each year, the MADE Awards program brings attention to manufacturers and makers in the Cape Fear region, revealing that the area is home to more made-in-Wilmington products than residents and even business leaders might realize.    The Greater Wilmington Business Journal launched the MADE Awards for that very reason, to recognize makers, manufacturers, artisans ...

Cape Fear Customs capefearcustoms.com   Year founded: 2019   Number of employees: 21   Top official: Matthew Gillilan, owner and operator   Company description: Cape Fear Customs is Wilmington’s truck and off-road adventure store, specializing in overlanding, 4x4s and custom fabrication.   How has your product helped impact the reg ...

Anchor Hardwoods anchorhardwoods.net   Year founded: 2010   Number of employees: 3-4   Top official: Bill Moore, managing partner   Company description: “Anchor Hardwoods is Wilmington’s friendly, local hardwood + home improvement headquarters.”   How has your company grown since its inception? “Our small business ...

C3 Custom Golf c3customgolf.com   Year founded: 2018   Number of employees: 5   Top official: Cameron Lee, founder   Company description: C3 Custom Golf provides custom golf accessories and golf club customization services to golf clubs and individual players.   How has your company grown since its inception? “We started in a resid ...