Articles by Michael Melton

About Michael Melton

Michael is a 2025 UNC-CH graduate who majored in Psychology and Environmental Studies. He loves trying new restaurants and cafes, going hiking, snowboarding, and going on long road trips to seemingly random states. You can also find his work in the Daily Tar Heel, where he is an editor on the Lifestyle desk.

Durham’s Majentics Guides Businesses Through An AI-Powered Internet

December 17, 2025 Michael Melton

Durham-based startup Majentics is building tools for an internet increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Its platform helps businesses transition from traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to AI Engine Optimization (AEO), […]

How Wilmington’s APPROVE is Revolutionizing Equipment Financing

December 3, 2025 Michael Melton

Robert Preville has been in the equipment marketplace space for decades. Early in his career, he helped start an online marketplace for manufacturing services that was eventually bought and expanded […]

With “Airsenz,” Durham’s Intellicair Makes HVAC Smarter and More Transparent

November 25, 2025 Michael Melton

Durham-based startup Intellicair, founded by father-son duo Bobby and Sam Ferrel, is transforming how heating and cooling systems are monitored and maintained. Using physical sensors paired with a proprietary AI […]

Chapel Hill’s RO-bot is Changing the Game for Automotive Technicians

November 18, 2025 Michael Melton

Dave Sonders was inspired to form his startup after a longtime friend in the car dealership business shared a common problem. That problem is that automotive technicians are required to […]

Wilmington’s Essential Personnel Provides Smarter Systems For Public Safety

October 8, 2025 Michael Melton

When Wilmington firefighters Scott Monroe and Preston Stackhouse realized that traditional HR software couldn’t keep up with the demands of public safety work, they decided to set about building their […]

Charlotte’s Dexit Is Revolutionizing Digital Estate Planning With DEXITPLAN™

October 2, 2025 Michael Melton

A few years ago, Natalia Parker and Tatyana Thurston, who knew each other through their kids’ Parent-Teacher Organization, began talking about a problem few people think about until it’s too […]

Charlotte’s Franzy Is Democratizing The Franchising Market

September 25, 2025 Michael Melton

A few years ago, Alex Smereczniak was trying to franchise a business and realized that the franchising industry had a problem: the middleman. Many prospective franchisees rely on brokers to […]

Durham’s Hive Science Decodes Human Decision-Making For Business Growth

September 15, 2025 Michael Melton

Durham- and Minneapolis-based Hive Science was born from two former US Bank colleagues’ shared vision of applying behavioral science in a practical, impactful way. Co-founders Julie O’Brien, a behavioral scientist, […]

Raleigh’s Placeable Develops Affordable Modular Homes With AI And Robotics

September 4, 2025 Michael Melton

Seasoned software entrepreneur Ed Holloway, who was most recently Founder and CEO of Persistence AI, hopes he’s working on his magnum opus—a final startup tackling some of the largest problems […]

Charlotte’s Sideline Education Offers “Game-First” Education For Kids

September 2, 2025 Michael Melton

Charlotte’s Chris Valada has worked in edtech for 20 years, but always envisioned himself launching a startup. His idea ultimately came to him when he was helping his son with […]