We on Team GrepBeat are in the midst of a busy Raleigh-Durham Startup Week. While this is, as subtly hinted by its name, a Triangle-centric event, I know there have been several Wilmington folks around soaking up the panel discussions, talks, workshops, and more. So just a quick reminder at the top that if you’re making the trip inland (or you’re already here), you can see the full RDSW agenda here.
The phrase “pursuit of a federal contract” just sounds complex and bothersome. Indeed, many architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies that recognize the major opportunities associated with federal contracts find that the pursuit is, in fact, tricky and time-consuming. But thanks to Wilmington startup It’s A Go Pursuits, some such companies may have an easier time of it.
Founded by Jessica Kovar, It’s A Go provides consulting and management services that help AEC companies enter the federal market. The startup is also in the process of building management software that automates a significant percentage of the manual work it typically takes to complete a federal proposal.
Exciting news for Wilmington-based EnrollHere, as the software company—which provides a platform that helps insurance agencies and others optimize operations—announced the acquisition of California-based MyMedicareBot (which has an adorable logo).
Per the release, the acquisition will cement EnrollHere’s position as “the industry’s first fully integrated Medicare ecosystem, enabling agencies and call centers to manage the entire sales process.” It furthers EnrollHere Founder Tyler Rees’s stated goal of creating “an all-in-one solution that simplifies and optimizes the Medicare enrollment process.”
Enroll in reading more about this right here, from Wilmington Biz.
Make Your Pitch
Note to founders (or any of you who know founders who, for unfathomable reasons, are not subscribed to this newsletter) that we're almost at the deadline for applications to present at NC Tech's upcoming State of Tech EXPONENTIALconference. Pitches (3 minutes + 4 minutes Q&A) will take place on May 15th at the Durham Convention Center (hey! that's also where Grep-a-Palooza is!)and presenting startups will receive complimentary registration, exhibit space, promotion, and a chance at a "cash and in-kind prize pack."
While the event is in Durham, applications are open to any "startup or emerging tech company headquartered in NC, with an innovative product or solution that will impact North Carolina's tech sector." See details and apply here (deadline *this Friday* April 11th)
DEEEEEP DIVE
Quick note that Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) and Jim Roberts will be hosting another DE5P DIVE event on Thursday, April 24th from 4-6pm ET at the UNCW CIE. This is a slightly early heads-up, but judging by the last few deep dives, spots go quickly.
This time around, attendees will hear from Tyson Nargassans—who was CEO of Durham startup (and, importantly, 2021 GrepBeat “Startups to Watch” honoree) CureMint when it was recently acquired.
A delightful but unseasonably cold day makes for a great excuse to dive into the latest episode of In The Soup on The GrepBeat Podcast. For this week’s show, co-hosts Jenn Summe and Melissa Crosby (who incidentally, as I write, are running a LiLa event at RDSW) spoke to Neal Shah (of CareYaya) and Mark Self (of Vector Textiles) to take a realistic look at mental health for founders.
Listen and subscribe here, and be sure to catch those fun opening notes—this time on libraries, studying while impaired, and our co-hosts’ favorite drive-time listen.
Happy Hours Had
ICYMI on GrepBeat.com, we did host a Happy Hour (at Bull McCabe’s and with help from our sponsor, Hutchison) to cap off RDSW’s first full day. For such events we always like to post a recap to show… you know, how we do things. At any rate, despite the aforementioned Triangle-centric nature of RDSW, you may just see some folks you know looking through the Happy Hour photos.
