THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR OUR 2026 RISING STARS EVENT! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
GrepBeat’s “Rising Stars” recognizes exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond to build and support North Carolina startup communities. We solicit nominations for Rising Stars from the GrepBeat community spanning all across the state. Honorees are selected by a panel of judges representing various organizations across the tech and startup ecosystem—and then celebrated at an in-person event.
OUR ESTEEMED JUDGES
Nominees will be assessed, and honorees ultimately selected, by a panel of judges with extensive experience in the North Carolina startup ecosystem.
- Heather McWhorter (UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
- Juan Garzón (Innovate Charlotte)
- Rachael Meleney Newberry (RIoT)
- Haley Huie (NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic)
- Krista Covey (First Flight Venture Center)
PAST SPONSORS
By becoming an Event Sponsor, you can support the most impactful up-and-comers in the Triangle while mingling with an audience of founders, investors, and assorted ecosystem leaders.
Interested in sponsoring? Email sponsorships@grepbeat.com.
OUR PAST HONOREES
Here’s a look at our inaugural class of Rising Stars from the 2025 event! And here are some photos from the celebration:
