UNCW Entrepreneurship Center becomes an LLC | Business

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Officials at UNCW announced Tuesday morning plans to reorganize its Entrepreneurship Center as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) to ensure growth and to provide flexibility.

The center was created within the Cameron School of Business in January 2010.  It serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth in the region and at the university, according to a press release.  The Entrepreneur Center operates in partnership with area business leaders, organizations and initiatives.

“Supporting entrepreneurship is critically important to the region’s economic future,” explained Chancellor Gary L. Miller.  “The new organizational model will position UNCW’s Entrepreneurship Center to better support future growth in the eight counties of Southeastern N.C. The reorganization will enable the center to become more nimble and innovative as it expands its programs and creates new initiatives.”

Officials hope the new structure will help provide the center with a stronger platform to meet the needs of the region’s entrepreneurship community.

According to UNCW, since its inception, the center has:

• Indirectly created 52 jobs and 27 student internships for area startup companies and small businesses
• Helped startup companies secure $5.2 million in equity financing through its signature Rocket Pitch events and meetings facilitated by the center
• Recruited 3 businesses and helped launch 12 new startup companies in the region, three owned by UNCW graduates
• Educated area small business owners through 52 entrepreneur speakers and classes, 62 individual advice sessions, and 18 training seminars

The center was recognized in October as one of the Top 20 Emerging Entrepreneurship Centers in the nation.

The center will host its annual Spring Rocket Pitch Event April 18, 6-8 p.m. in the UNCW Burney Center. 

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved. UNCW contributed to this report.