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CEO Jennifer Byrne: Javara remains committed to keeping headquarters in Winston-Salem as company prepares to rapidly hire and expand

2022 Power Players
Javara CEO Jennifer Byrne answers a question from PTP Chairman Stan Kelly during the Piedmont Triad Partnership's "State of the Region" event on Oct. 27 at Wake Forest Biotech Place in Winston-Salem. The TBJ Power Players reception followed the presentation.
Julie Knight
By Lillian Johnson - Reporter
October 28, 2022, 02:23pm EDT Updated 10/28/2022 3:41 pm

Winston-Salem has had its fair share of companies leaving after getting their start here – like Krispy Kreme, Wachovia and BB&T, through its merger with SunTrust to create Truist. But, one company that is experiencing rapid growth is committed to staying in the Twin City.

Javara, an integrated research organization that focuses on the clinical-research-as-a-care-option (CRAACO) movement through partnerships with health care systems, will stay in Winston-Salem as it grows, said CEO and co-founder Jennifer Bryne.

Jennifer Byrne and Stan Kelly
Jennifer Byrne and Stan Kelly participate in a Q&A as part of the State of the Region presentation at Wake Forest Biotech Place.
Lloyd Whittington

At the Piedmont Triad Partnership’s State of the Region event Thursday night, Byrne spoke about the power of the unique community in Winston-Salem and the greater Triad, which supports her endeavors and allows her as a business leader and founder to make important connections to advance her company. The presentation was followed by a reception recognizing Triad Business Journal's Power Players of 2022, with Byrne one of those 80 regional leaders.

“You need meaningful partnerships,” she said.

Meet the Triad's Power Players of 2022

In April, Javara raised over $47 million in a Series B raise from General Atlantic, a private equity firm based out of New York. Byrne said that part of the funding agreement she fought for was that the company stayed in Winston-Salem. For this reason and the company's growth plan, Javara was named an inaugural Triad Inno Fire honoree this summer.

“I’m proud of the fact that we’re bringing in a lot of outside capital into the community,” Byrne said. “And it was an absolute requirement in that process that the headquarters would remain here. I’m really, really set on that because when you’re doing something innovative and different, you need an education system that is helping you think about workforce, for example.”

One of those key local partnerships has been with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. In 2021, Javara and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist extended its partnership to provide clinical research services across the health system’s 24-county service area. Together, they also worked on a local Covid-19 vaccine trial for Moderna in 2020.

The $47 million fundraise will help Javara, located in Innovation Quarter, reach its goal of doubling its employees to 400 in the next year or two. As of July, the company employs 180 full-time, of which almost 100 were hired in 2022 alone. Forty-two of Javara’s employees are located in the Triad, according to TBJ research from earlier this month.

While Javara employs people across the U.S., Byrne has previously said that the company will continue to invest in Triad talent as it grows.

“In this community and this region, there is a secret sauce here that is … one of the most gratifying things about having a business located here, especially in Innovation Quarter,” she said.

2022 Power Players Reception

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