Charlotte Angel Connection Episode 066: Walt Frye, Executive Director of Innovate Charlotte

Last time we spoke to Walt Frye (summer 2017 here) he was working on reinventing the Charlotte Regional Fund for Entrepreneurship (CFRE). Fast forward a year and Walt has made tremendous strides as Innovate Charlotte has become the execution arm for CRFE. Walt has taken on a job few probably wanted or truly understood since CRFE was initially funded by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the city of Charlotte.  As such it's a political juggling job looking to balance the desires of the Chamber and the needs (political and other) of the city - along with other stakeholders.   Yet Walt has balanced that well and is in the process of growing a mentoring program through Innovate Charlotte which targets early stage companies in Charlotte (business process, validation stage, Charlotte based, and not too much investment/revenue). If successful the mentoring program has the opportunity to serve a great role in the city's entrepreneurial space. This mentoring program has been launched through an initiative with MIT - where Walt and several people visited Boston in February 2018 to get trained on the program.  Since coming back from Boston, they've a put together a great group of mentors - including two past guest on this podcast (T.J. Eberle and Keith Luedeman).  You can listen to T.J (Part I and Part II) and Keith (Part I and Part II). This is a community effort though.  Walt, nor anyone other individual, has the ability create this community by themselves.  It takes a concerted effort from current stakeholders who can't be selfish about their intent or with their time, money, and knowledge.  It has the potential to be so much bigger than any of them if allowed.  As such, a homegrown entrepreneurial ecosystem in Charlotte can support and create many of the things we need as a city - it just needs a chance to find its way without top down control. Walt has spend a year tackling some of these things and more.  I'm glad we have him doing it and look forward to sharing the podcast with you this week and next.   William Bissett is an Investment Advisor Representative with Secrest Blakey & Associates, a Registered Investment Adviser.  Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Secrest Blakey & Associates. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener.  Secrest Blakey & Associates does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under the Securities Act, and a Qualified Purchaser as defined in Section 2(a)(51)(A) under the Company Act or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests.  Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.