It was one incredible evening.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, we toasted the city's startup scene and all the success Charlotte's entrepreneurs have achieved in the past year. More than 120 people turned out to celebrate at Heist Brewery in Noda and help us present our three startup awards:
Charles Thomas, Charlotte program director with the Knight Foundation, received the Servant Leader Award.
Meggie Williams, co-founder and CEO of The Waggle Company, was recognized as Startup of the Year.
And the team from Stratifyd was given the AvidXchange Innovation Award.
"We're honored to receive StartCharlotte’s award for Charlotte's Startup of the Year," Meggie Williams said. "We love being a part of this growing base of people committed to seeing Charlotte thrive on the contributions of its creative class. High tide raises all ships. Thank you, StartCharlotte, for helping amplify the voice and achievements of Charlotte’s startup community!"
We also used the event to unveil the 2017 Charlotte Startup Community Report, the first of its kind in the Queen City. In the report, which will be made available online soon, we outlined the progress the city's startups have made over the past year — from which startups raised money to what resources were added to Charlotte's entrepreneurial scene.
We'd like to thank Packard Place, our sponsor for the event, and Southern Favor for the beautifully designed boxes that went to each of our startup honorees. Last but certainly not least, we'd like to thank everyone who came out to join in the festivities. You made it a night to remember.
