In mid-November, Charlotte Inno selected 25 startups, entrepreneurs, tech firms and organizations across the region for its third annual Fire Awards program. Those finalists were celebrated on Dec. 5 at an uptown event for their leadership over the last 12 months in driving change and building momentum within Charlotte’s innovation ecosystem.
Charlotte Inno recognized burgeoning entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners in this year’s program. The group’s achievements included launching a new product or service, raising funding rounds and making strategic leadership changes. The Fire Awards are broken down into six categories to showcase the diverse lineup of local talent and their impact to the ecosystem. One winner was in each category, receiving a red blazer to commemorate the achievement.
The six “Blazers” for 2022 are:
- RevTech Labs
- Prospera North Carolina
- Passport
- Open Broadband
- Atom Power
- Top Tier Solar Solutions
The list of finalists was compiled from public nominations and insight generated from the Charlotte Inno editorial team. The CBJ team has also covered some of the stories behind these honorees over the years.
Some companies are repeat honorees and others are new to the list. Here’s a look at each of the honorees in Charlotte Inno’s 2022 Fire Awards.
Charlotte Inno: 2022 Fire Awards
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Charlotte Inno's Fire Awards highlights trailblazers in the local entrepreneurial and innovation scene. Here are the 2022 honorees.
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RevTech Labs
Catalyst: Blazer
Founded by Sara and Dan Roselli in 2012, RevTech Labs is one of the top fintech accelerators globally bridging growth and success for finance technology and insurance technology startup founders. It’s also expanding into the health tech market with its Health Innovation Summit that took place in September and preparing for its Class 18 cohort in March. RevTech Labs provides founders with curriculum, mentorship and a custom advisory board, as well as investment capital.
Catalyst: Blazer
Founded by Sara and Dan Roselli in 2012, RevTech Labs is one of the top fintech accelerators globally bridging growth and success for finance technology and insurance technology startup founders. It’s also expanding into the health tech market with its Health Innovation Summit that took place in September and preparing for its Class 18 cohort in March. RevTech Labs provides founders with curriculum, mentorship and a custom advisory board, as well as investment capital.
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Black Business Owners Corp. (BBOC)
Catalyst: Finalist
Founded in 2014 by Cathay Dawkins, Black Business Owners Corp. is a grassroots, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting Black-owned businesses and underserved communities. During the pandemic, BBOC hosted 28 events that raised more than $9 million to put into the pockets of Black entrepreneurs and the overall Charlotte economy. It continues to bolster economic development and business growth through signature events such as Charlotte Black Restaurant Week, Black Food Truck Fridays and Taste of Soul.
Catalyst: Finalist
Founded in 2014 by Cathay Dawkins, Black Business Owners Corp. is a grassroots, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting Black-owned businesses and underserved communities. During the pandemic, BBOC hosted 28 events that raised more than $9 million to put into the pockets of Black entrepreneurs and the overall Charlotte economy. It continues to bolster economic development and business growth through signature events such as Charlotte Black Restaurant Week, Black Food Truck Fridays and Taste of Soul.
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Dottie Rose Foundation
Catalyst: Finalist
In early 2018, Dottie Rose Foundation launched as a Charlotte-based nonprofit program that focuses on providing technology and computer science education to middle school-aged girls. Founded by Sharon Jones, the organization had substantial growth in 2022. Its summer camps have tripled in size and expanded into Cabarrus County. Dottie Rose is establishing a second innovation center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Catalyst: Finalist
In early 2018, Dottie Rose Foundation launched as a Charlotte-based nonprofit program that focuses on providing technology and computer science education to middle school-aged girls. Founded by Sharon Jones, the organization had substantial growth in 2022. Its summer camps have tripled in size and expanded into Cabarrus County. Dottie Rose is establishing a second innovation center in Greenville, South Carolina.
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Prospera North Carolina
Community Builder: Blazer
Established more than 30 years ago, Prospera is a nonprofit, economic development organization providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand a business. José David Alvarez leads its Charlotte office, which opened in 2017. Prospera empowers Hispanic entrepreneurs through training, support and resources so their businesses can scale and succeed. The company was part of the N.C. Rural Center’s Small Business Policy Task Force, an effort that started in 2020 to build an equitable, entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state.
Community Builder: Blazer
Established more than 30 years ago, Prospera is a nonprofit, economic development organization providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand a business. José David Alvarez leads its Charlotte office, which opened in 2017. Prospera empowers Hispanic entrepreneurs through training, support and resources so their businesses can scale and succeed. The company was part of the N.C. Rural Center’s Small Business Policy Task Force, an effort that started in 2020 to build an equitable, entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state.
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Civility Localized
Community Builder: Finalist
Rebranded from Amplify Charlotte to broaden its reach nationwide, Civility Localized is a minority-owned consulting firm that works with governments and nonprofits to enhance their community engagement capacity and increase awareness of special projects. Civility, founded in 2018 by Christine Edwards, has raised nearly $50,000 in funding from local and state grant programs focused on growing small businesses. It has helped more than 100 small businesses learn how to win government contracts through its signature program, Public Sector Pay Day.
Community Builder: Finalist
Rebranded from Amplify Charlotte to broaden its reach nationwide, Civility Localized is a minority-owned consulting firm that works with governments and nonprofits to enhance their community engagement capacity and increase awareness of special projects. Civility, founded in 2018 by Christine Edwards, has raised nearly $50,000 in funding from local and state grant programs focused on growing small businesses. It has helped more than 100 small businesses learn how to win government contracts through its signature program, Public Sector Pay Day.
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Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
Community Builder: Finalist
Established more than 50 years ago, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute provides cardiovascular care to pediatric and adult patients throughout the Carolinas. Led by President Geoffrey Rose, its flagship location is at the Atrium Health Kenilworth Medical Plaza that opened April 2021. The location includes five floors of complex specialty care services, such as cardiovascular imaging to improve diagnostic capabilities and a cardiac rehabilitation and wellness center. The institute’s clinical teams are offered opportunities for continuing education and advancing research and innovation.
Community Builder: Finalist
Established more than 50 years ago, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute provides cardiovascular care to pediatric and adult patients throughout the Carolinas. Led by President Geoffrey Rose, its flagship location is at the Atrium Health Kenilworth Medical Plaza that opened April 2021. The location includes five floors of complex specialty care services, such as cardiovascular imaging to improve diagnostic capabilities and a cardiac rehabilitation and wellness center. The institute’s clinical teams are offered opportunities for continuing education and advancing research and innovation.
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Passport
Fintech: Blazer
Founded in 2010, Charlotte-based Passport is a transportation software and payments company that builds technology for more efficient streets and sidewalks. More than 800 cities across North America utilize Passport’s platform to manage mobile-pay parking, parking enforcement, digital parking permits and mobility management. The platform is designed to provide cities with the data and insights to dynamically manage curb space. Over the past year, Passport, led by CEO David Evans, has grown partnerships so it can create more seamless parking experiences and streamline back-end management.
Fintech: Blazer
Founded in 2010, Charlotte-based Passport is a transportation software and payments company that builds technology for more efficient streets and sidewalks. More than 800 cities across North America utilize Passport’s platform to manage mobile-pay parking, parking enforcement, digital parking permits and mobility management. The platform is designed to provide cities with the data and insights to dynamically manage curb space. Over the past year, Passport, led by CEO David Evans, has grown partnerships so it can create more seamless parking experiences and streamline back-end management.
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DebtBook
Fintech: Finalist
Local startup DebtBook makes easy-to-use, cloud-based debt- and lease-management software for government, higher education and health-care finance teams. Founded in 2019 by Tyler Traudt and Eric Pelletier, the company recently closed $7.5 million in funding to help accelerate the delivery of DebtBook’s product roadmap and provide additional resources for DebtBook’s product and client success teams. The startup has grown from a team of four employees to 38, with plans to add about 10 more full-time positions.
Fintech: Finalist
Local startup DebtBook makes easy-to-use, cloud-based debt- and lease-management software for government, higher education and health-care finance teams. Founded in 2019 by Tyler Traudt and Eric Pelletier, the company recently closed $7.5 million in funding to help accelerate the delivery of DebtBook’s product roadmap and provide additional resources for DebtBook’s product and client success teams. The startup has grown from a team of four employees to 38, with plans to add about 10 more full-time positions.
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Flyp Financial
Fintech: Finalist
Co-founded in 2020 by B.J. McAndrews, Flyp is a Charlotte-based company that provides affordable financial services. The company develops creative ways to help traditionally nonbanked people have access to banking services. Flyp has disrupted the way banking is done by creating a modern interface. The company solves key customer problems by offering early direct deposit, no hidden fees and a gamified reward experience — which will enhance its customer acquisition, customer engagement and customer retention.
Fintech: Finalist
Co-founded in 2020 by B.J. McAndrews, Flyp is a Charlotte-based company that provides affordable financial services. The company develops creative ways to help traditionally nonbanked people have access to banking services. Flyp has disrupted the way banking is done by creating a modern interface. The company solves key customer problems by offering early direct deposit, no hidden fees and a gamified reward experience — which will enhance its customer acquisition, customer engagement and customer retention.
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Rethink Ledgers Fintech: Finalist
Bart Cant founded Rethink Ledgers in 2019. The niche consulting firm focuses on digital asset innovation, using smart contract technology for the finance and health-care sector. The company is equipped with years of strategy consulting experience in the digital asset tokenization industry. This is a fairly new concept of digitizing existing financial assets and creating digital workflows that are built on top of blockchain, distributed ledger technology or centralized ledgers.
Bart Cant founded Rethink Ledgers in 2019. The niche consulting firm focuses on digital asset innovation, using smart contract technology for the finance and health-care sector. The company is equipped with years of strategy consulting experience in the digital asset tokenization industry. This is a fairly new concept of digitizing existing financial assets and creating digital workflows that are built on top of blockchain, distributed ledger technology or centralized ledgers.
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Top Tier Solar Solutions
Green Tech: Blazer
Headquartered in Charlotte, Top Tier Solar Solutions, founded in 2021, is a family-owned, vertically integrated solar company serving the Carolinas. In its first fiscal year, the company did $50 million in revenue and is on pace to hit $130 million in revenue next year. The company, led by CEO Samuel Van Wynen, is fully integrated, meaning that every aspect of the business is conducted in house. In August 2021, the company had three employees; as of October 2022, it has about 250 employees.
Green Tech: Blazer
Headquartered in Charlotte, Top Tier Solar Solutions, founded in 2021, is a family-owned, vertically integrated solar company serving the Carolinas. In its first fiscal year, the company did $50 million in revenue and is on pace to hit $130 million in revenue next year. The company, led by CEO Samuel Van Wynen, is fully integrated, meaning that every aspect of the business is conducted in house. In August 2021, the company had three employees; as of October 2022, it has about 250 employees.
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EcoTwist Clean
Green Tech: Finalist
The startup, founded in 2018 by Sean Stanley, is an eco-friendly laundry detergent that fully removes odors caused by bacteria in clothing. EcoTwist is also vegan friendly and free of 15 ingredients commonly found in other “green” detergents. This year, the company introduced its EcoBox corrugated detergent packaging. The box replaces the traditional plastic bottle used for liquid detergent. EcoTwist strives to support local communities through charitable giving and continuing its mission of intentionally focusing on people.
Green Tech: Finalist
The startup, founded in 2018 by Sean Stanley, is an eco-friendly laundry detergent that fully removes odors caused by bacteria in clothing. EcoTwist is also vegan friendly and free of 15 ingredients commonly found in other “green” detergents. This year, the company introduced its EcoBox corrugated detergent packaging. The box replaces the traditional plastic bottle used for liquid detergent. EcoTwist strives to support local communities through charitable giving and continuing its mission of intentionally focusing on people.
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Vertical Solar
Green Tech: Finalist
Founded in 2020, Vertical Solar is a renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer. The company aims to further the deployment, usage and global impact of solar and renewable energy with its design, while also looking to solve space, energy harvest, design and engineering challenges faced with solar deployments in numerous industries and applications. Vertical Solar’s goal is to bring its VS1 solar ring to market. The idea of the product is derived from the need for disaster recovery and solar energy harvest in combination with gravity.
Green Tech: Finalist
Founded in 2020, Vertical Solar is a renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer. The company aims to further the deployment, usage and global impact of solar and renewable energy with its design, while also looking to solve space, energy harvest, design and engineering challenges faced with solar deployments in numerous industries and applications. Vertical Solar’s goal is to bring its VS1 solar ring to market. The idea of the product is derived from the need for disaster recovery and solar energy harvest in combination with gravity.
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Open Broadband
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Blazer
Co-founded by Alan Fitzpatrick and Kent Winrich in 2017, Open Broadband aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet service to underserved communities in the Southeast. To determine which communities are in need of its services, Open Broadband looks at where customers are most underserved or cannot afford services through larger providers. The company recently expanded to western North Carolina after its acquisition of Cashiers-based Pyranah Communications in November.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Blazer
Co-founded by Alan Fitzpatrick and Kent Winrich in 2017, Open Broadband aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet service to underserved communities in the Southeast. To determine which communities are in need of its services, Open Broadband looks at where customers are most underserved or cannot afford services through larger providers. The company recently expanded to western North Carolina after its acquisition of Cashiers-based Pyranah Communications in November.
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Contractor Growth Network
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2017 by Logan Shinholser, Contractor Growth Network serves as a marketing company that works exclusively with contractors. CGN has helped dozens of contractors grow their businesses to more than $1 million in annual revenue. The company snagged a spot at No. 983 on the Inc. 5000 ranking earlier this year. CGN’s approach to business development has allowed the company to scale its business and have the opportunity for employees to have time for things that matter most.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2017 by Logan Shinholser, Contractor Growth Network serves as a marketing company that works exclusively with contractors. CGN has helped dozens of contractors grow their businesses to more than $1 million in annual revenue. The company snagged a spot at No. 983 on the Inc. 5000 ranking earlier this year. CGN’s approach to business development has allowed the company to scale its business and have the opportunity for employees to have time for things that matter most.
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Dualboot Partners
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Software development company Dualboot Partners focuses on building businesses. Founded in 2018 by Todd Buelow, the startup measures its success on how it impacts clients’ enterprise value. As of July, Dualboot has more than 350 team members and has created hundreds of millions of dollars in enterprise value for its clients. The company has also relocated more than 50 of its team members and families impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Software development company Dualboot Partners focuses on building businesses. Founded in 2018 by Todd Buelow, the startup measures its success on how it impacts clients’ enterprise value. As of July, Dualboot has more than 350 team members and has created hundreds of millions of dollars in enterprise value for its clients. The company has also relocated more than 50 of its team members and families impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war.
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MyWorkChoice
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Cornelius-based MyWorkChoice is a human resources consulting company that provides app-powered, flexible scheduling. MyWorkChoice, co-founded in 2017 by Tana Greene, offers a mobile application that recruits, screens, trains and schedules potential employees. They can then create a work schedule that best suits their availability. The app offers options for four, six or eight-hour shifts, ultimately allowing users to establish up to a 40-hour work week.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Cornelius-based MyWorkChoice is a human resources consulting company that provides app-powered, flexible scheduling. MyWorkChoice, co-founded in 2017 by Tana Greene, offers a mobile application that recruits, screens, trains and schedules potential employees. They can then create a work schedule that best suits their availability. The app offers options for four, six or eight-hour shifts, ultimately allowing users to establish up to a 40-hour work week.
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PetScreening
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Tech startup PetScreening, founded in 2017 by John Bradford, is a platform that allows property managers to outsource the process of pet risk assessment and validates service for support animals. The startup, formerly based in Cornelius, last year moved into a new space at Merino Mill in Mooresville. PetScreening closed $3 million in Series A funding last year to help the company hire sales, account management and marketing employees on the business side, product development employees on the tech side and a new chief growth officer.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Tech startup PetScreening, founded in 2017 by John Bradford, is a platform that allows property managers to outsource the process of pet risk assessment and validates service for support animals. The startup, formerly based in Cornelius, last year moved into a new space at Merino Mill in Mooresville. PetScreening closed $3 million in Series A funding last year to help the company hire sales, account management and marketing employees on the business side, product development employees on the tech side and a new chief growth officer.
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StreetFair
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2021 by Teddy Fitzgibbons and Mike Kerr, both formerly with Charlotte’s Passport, StreetFair is an online service that seeks to more efficiently connect home-service providers with neighborhoods. The company is a social commerce platform for neighborhoods to find and hire quality home service providers. StreetFair closed a $1.7 million seed round in February to launch phase one of its product — which hit the market in March. About 70 service providers and companies have signed up for StreetFair.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2021 by Teddy Fitzgibbons and Mike Kerr, both formerly with Charlotte’s Passport, StreetFair is an online service that seeks to more efficiently connect home-service providers with neighborhoods. The company is a social commerce platform for neighborhoods to find and hire quality home service providers. StreetFair closed a $1.7 million seed round in February to launch phase one of its product — which hit the market in March. About 70 service providers and companies have signed up for StreetFair.
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Undergrads
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Thomas Mumford and Chris Dyer co-founded Undergrads in 2018 as a marketplace that connects businesses with college students. It gives companies access to an underserved talent pool while providing students with a more efficient way to work around their class schedule. Undergrads also acts as a student mover service. The company employs more than 170 college students through its app. In 2020, it also launched technology home services to help customers set up home tech items.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Thomas Mumford and Chris Dyer co-founded Undergrads in 2018 as a marketplace that connects businesses with college students. It gives companies access to an underserved talent pool while providing students with a more efficient way to work around their class schedule. Undergrads also acts as a student mover service. The company employs more than 170 college students through its app. In 2020, it also launched technology home services to help customers set up home tech items.
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Atom Power
Software & Innovation (More Than Five Years Old): Blazer
Co-founded by Ryan Kennedy in 2014, Atom Power is a networked energy company that aims to support and amplify the electrification of everything, starting with electric-vehicle charging. After raising a $111.2 million funding round in August from SK Inc. and SK energy, the startup is better equipped to expand the region’s tech sector and manufacturing. Atom Power began shipping and installing its EV chargers in early 2022 and has since sold around 1,000 units to dozens of corporate sites across the country.
Software & Innovation (More Than Five Years Old): Blazer
Co-founded by Ryan Kennedy in 2014, Atom Power is a networked energy company that aims to support and amplify the electrification of everything, starting with electric-vehicle charging. After raising a $111.2 million funding round in August from SK Inc. and SK energy, the startup is better equipped to expand the region’s tech sector and manufacturing. Atom Power began shipping and installing its EV chargers in early 2022 and has since sold around 1,000 units to dozens of corporate sites across the country.
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Ekos
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Charlotte startup Ekos, co-founded in 2014 by Josh McKinney and Greg Forehand, provides business management software to breweries, wineries, cideries and other independent makers. It helps them manage things such as inventory, production, sales and accounting. Last December, Ekos raised $21 million in funding to help grow its team from 81 to 100 in 2022. The company also launched a podcast to celebrate the stories of craft beverage owners.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Charlotte startup Ekos, co-founded in 2014 by Josh McKinney and Greg Forehand, provides business management software to breweries, wineries, cideries and other independent makers. It helps them manage things such as inventory, production, sales and accounting. Last December, Ekos raised $21 million in funding to help grow its team from 81 to 100 in 2022. The company also launched a podcast to celebrate the stories of craft beverage owners.
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Optimal Bio
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2012 by Greg Brannon, Optimal Bio is a medical clinic that specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. The technique uses all-natural hormones to ease the degenerative side effects of aging and other medical issues. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy aims to balance the body’s hormones, bringing them to the optimal levels the system was initially designed to maintain. The company, led by CEO Tylar Brannon, has more than 6,000 patients in its six offices across the Carolinas.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Founded in 2012 by Greg Brannon, Optimal Bio is a medical clinic that specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. The technique uses all-natural hormones to ease the degenerative side effects of aging and other medical issues. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy aims to balance the body’s hormones, bringing them to the optimal levels the system was initially designed to maintain. The company, led by CEO Tylar Brannon, has more than 6,000 patients in its six offices across the Carolinas.
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RealResponse
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
David Chadwick launched Charlotte-based startup RealResponse in 2016 as a web-based platform that gives student athletes the opportunity to provide feedback and concerns to their college or university’s athletic programs. Athletes can use the platform to report feedback related to teammates and coaching staff, rule violations, social-justice issues and Covid-19 protocol violations. What began as RealRecruit evolved into RealResponse, driven by rising concerns about mental health, growing awareness of harassment and assault, and monitoring the more daily aspects of college sports.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
David Chadwick launched Charlotte-based startup RealResponse in 2016 as a web-based platform that gives student athletes the opportunity to provide feedback and concerns to their college or university’s athletic programs. Athletes can use the platform to report feedback related to teammates and coaching staff, rule violations, social-justice issues and Covid-19 protocol violations. What began as RealRecruit evolved into RealResponse, driven by rising concerns about mental health, growing awareness of harassment and assault, and monitoring the more daily aspects of college sports.
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Tresata
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Charlotte startup Tresata, one of four local unicorns, is a predictive-analytics software firm with a mission to help every business leverage 100% of its data and, ultimately, transform operations. Over the last year, the company — founded in 2010 by Abhishek Mehta — has launched two core products. Those include bad-actor discovery as a service and a digital business platform. Tresata is demonstrating and promoting the city as a center for not only banking but also data and the advancement of artificial intelligence.
Software & Innovation (Up to Five Years Old): Finalist
Charlotte startup Tresata, one of four local unicorns, is a predictive-analytics software firm with a mission to help every business leverage 100% of its data and, ultimately, transform operations. Over the last year, the company — founded in 2010 by Abhishek Mehta — has launched two core products. Those include bad-actor discovery as a service and a digital business platform. Tresata is demonstrating and promoting the city as a center for not only banking but also data and the advancement of artificial intelligence.
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