Today we are excited to announce to the public, and our beloved readership, that on September 3rd, GrepBeat officially became a nonprofit entity.
This company got started just over seven years ago in August 2018, with Joe Colopy laying the foundation for his GrepBeat Godfather role and Founding Editor Pete McEntegart piloting the newsletter.
From that early point, the mission of GrepBeat has been to lift up early-stage entrepreneurs and their startups—and, in doing so, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, first in the Triangle and ultimately across North Carolina.
We have sought to meet these goals by generating independent, high-quality media coverage of relevant companies, figures, and events (and having a bit of fun while we’re at it).
Reflecting on his own experience building a software startup and working out of his home for the first two years, Joe noted that “Validation through storytelling can be a really important piece when you’re nurturing early-stage startups.”
It is that type of storytelling and validation that GrepBeat has always sought to provide. Now, with the official transition to nonprofit status and the creation of a strategic board of directors, we aim to double down on our mission. This transition will help us to formalize and scale our efforts.
Moving forward, readers should expect to see GrepBeat having even more involvement with and impact on the ecosystem. What began as a local newsletter has already expanded into statewide coverage, and it is our responsibility to see that it continues to improve in ways that strengthen the community.
As Joe said, “We know that big things come from small things.”
GrepBeat’s newly formed Board of Directors will be comprised of the following five members:
Joe Colopy (Colopy Ventures), President
Barb Coury (NCSSM Foundation), Chairperson
Krista Covey (First Flight Venture Center)
Chris Seper (Farm Journal)
Jenn Summe (Primordial Ventures)
