StepLeader Secures $4.4M in Funding With River Cities Capital Funds and Bull City Venture Partners

May 15, 2013 – Raleigh, NC – StepLeader Inc, an industry leader in mobile app development and advertising sales for local media and college sports, announces today that it has raised $4.4M. Leading the investment is River Cities Capital Funds, with additional financing provided by Bull City Venture Partners. Ed McCarthy and Rik Vandevenne of River Cities will join the company’s Board of Directors. David Jones of Bully City will join as a board observer.

Originally founded in 2004 as NewsOverWireless, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company, StepLeader spun out as an independent company in May 2012. Today the company serves hundreds of customers, supports millions of active app users and delivers billions of mobile advertisements every year.

“We are thrilled to partner with these two firms. Their operational expertise and business acumen will accelerate our ability to develop technology and reach new markets faster and more intelligently,” says Brian Handly, StepLeader’s CEO.

Ed McCarthy of River Cities adds, “StepLeader has proven that they can deliver effective local mobile solutions and have established an early leadership position in an emerging market opportunity.”

“We’ve been following StepLeader’s success and Brian Handly’s career for the last decade,” comments David Jones of Bull City Venture Partners. “Mobile usage continues to be an ever increasing proportion of consumers and the enterprise’s engagement. We are thrilled to partner with one of the largest mobile software and advertising platforms.”

Proceeds from the financing will be used to increase the engineering, advertising sales and business development teams, as well as to pursue new markets more aggressively.

About River Cities Capital Funds
River Cities Capital Funds provides growth equity financing and business acumen to high-potential healthcare and information technology companies. River Cities specializes in helping entrepreneurs with market-proven solutions, services and devices to effectively and efficiently build infrastructure for rapid and profitable revenue growth. With nearly $500 million under management and more than 100 investments made, River Cities has established itself as a preferred partner among the entrepreneurial and private equity communities. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina, the firm is currently seeking new investments for its fifth fund. www.rccf.com

About StepLeader
Located in downtown Raleigh, StepLeader formed in 2004 when it developed the nation’s first news app for local media. Today, the company offers solutions and thought-leading expertise to help trusted content producers deliver their stories across mobile apps, mobile websites and smart TV apps. StepLeader provides advertisers with transparent access to a nationwide audience, delivering more than 400 million ads monthly. StepLeader has a proven track record of delivering quality return-on-investment for its partners including Scripps Television Station Group, Fox Television Stations, Morgan Murphy Media, News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG) and Capitol Broadcasting Company. www.stepleaderdigital.com

About Bull City Ventures
Bull City Venture Partners, a leading venture capital firm, works with great entrepreneurs to build market leading technology companies. BCVP’s partners take an active team approach to venture investing. For more information on Bull City Venture Partners, visit its website at www.bcvp.com


Contact:

Ed McCarthy 

919-573-6111

emccarthy@rccf.com                                                                                                                       

MPI Research Announces New Division

Released Thursday, May 16 from CED Member MPI Research

MPI Research, the largest single-site preclinical contract research organization (CRO) worldwide, has created a new division, Surgical Services and Medical Device Evaluation (SMD), which will be led by Senior Director Mark Johnson, MS. As a Senior Study Director with more than 15 years of GLP and non-GLP experience specifically in this field, Mr. Johnson leads a robust team of knowledgeable and highly skilled surgeons and Study Directors that have extensive experience in medical device evaluation and surgical model development.

Under Mr. Johnson’s leadership, this collaborative team is proficient in conducting studies with a wide range of species and, using a variety of surgical models. Specific therapeutic areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, cardiology, orthopaedics, neurology and general surgery. This new division is divided into three core areas: targeted delivery of therapeutics, medical device evaluation, and surgically induced disease models. In addition, the division provides surgical support services to all of MPI Research. The SMD team is known for its innovation and high quality service. Given their collective knowledge in medical device evaluation, toxicology, pharmacology, and disease modeling, the scientific staff works collaboratively with Sponsors to design the best and most efficient development program.

The state-of-the-art surgical facilities at MPI Research consist of three large animal and one small animal suites. Using standard and customized protocols for surgical disease models and implanted delivery systems that meet or exceed regulatory standards, the SMD team typically performs more than 5,000 surgical procedures annually.

According to MPI Research Chairman, President, and CEO, William U. Parfet, MBA, “Our new division has been driven by Sponsor demand. Medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotech companies know that by placing their studies with us, they will get the best possible surgery and medical device evaluation in the preclinical space. They appreciate that not only have we dedicated an entire division to meet their needs, but we can also address their other preclinical and early clinical research requirements all within the same facility. This brings continuity and cost-effectiveness to their drug and device programs, while minimizing the risk of inconsistency and error since they can get all their research needs met by a single CRO. I am incredibly proud of the equipment, technology, and, most importantly, the expertise represented by our SMD division.”

Mr. Johnson is an expert webinar panelist in the upcoming Fierce Markets event, “How to Raise Medical Device Startup Funding in a Harsh Investment Climate.” He will discuss funding alternatives relative to medical device and diagnostics startups during this educational worldwide webinar, on May 23, 2013. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to hear Mr. Johnson, as well as other medical device and diagnostics experts, speak on this timely and relevant topic.

Full Article Here

Find Yourself on TriangulateNC.com

CED today released its long-anticipated TriangulateNC.com, an interactive site that represents the entrepreneurial activity in the Research Triangle. It’s focused initially on technology and life science companies, with expansion opportunities for industries such as advanced materials sciences and the ‘makers’ movement – some of the most active growth areas for our region.

Site for Entrepreneurs – and those who support them

We’re hoping that you will help us continue to expand on this map. We’re looking for companies with headquarters (or major operations) in Wake, Durham or Orange Counties, companies that were founded in this region, and are privately held (or have done an IPO or become a wholly owned subsidiary of a larger company but retained brand identity). We’d like to you sign on, expand the information we have on your company (or add it!), and continue to provide the site with milestone information.

Central Events Calendar

We also built this tool, with great help from our friends at Relevance, to be the central go-to calendar for community events that would be of interest to entrepreneurs. Many of our community partners have already added their upcoming happenings – we invite you to add yours as well, and to come back often to see ‘what’s up’ in the region.  

It’s Yours.

This site belongs to entrepreneurs in the Triangle. You are encouraged to input and refresh your company information regularly, to keep the region – and ultimately the world – up-to-date on what your company is doing. Thus far, CED has created the database and architecture for the map, calendar and news flow. CED will continue to curate the information and manage the site to assure high quality standards, supported by our 75+ community partners who share an interest in a vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Help Make it Easy to Understand Entrepreneurship in the Triangle

The Research Triangle is among the country’s top entrepreneurial centers. Yet, getting the information that helps to tell that story has not been easy. TriangulateNC.com is designed to be a central information hub -- the single stop for information on what’s happening entrepreneurially in the Research Triangle area. Help us help the world find out how great this area is. We’ve started the process, but to make it great requires YOU.

Give us feedback (there’s an orange tab on the right side of the homepage) or contact Hal Thomas for comment.

IBM Hosts Smarter Business Connection Day

With partners CED and TiE; Sharon Decker, Secretary of Commerce, to Keynote

Attention entrepreneurs, small business owners and regional thought leaders: Here’s an exciting FREE event to put on your calendars. On Friday, June 7^th, IBM, CED and TiE will host an informational day of discussions designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners discover technology trends and take-away tips for commercialization success. Join in to have your voice heard as we strategize how to take RTP to the next level of entrepreneurial success. 

Date:                     June 7, 2013
Time:                     9 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Location:              IBM RTP Recreation Center, 1 Davis Drive, RTP, NC 27709

Sharon Decker, newly appointed North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, will deliver the keynote speech and discuss her strategy for stimulating and promoting innovation and sustainable economic growth in North Carolina.  Joan Siefert Rose, CED President, will take part in a panel at 1:30pm, with Research Triangle Foundation’s Bob Geolas moderating.

Community leaders and university experts will strategize ideas, plans, and funding sources to transform RTP from the top research and enterprise ecosystem to the top “Entrepolis” - a vibrant place for entrepreneurs between the three key cities of great academic institutions and big enterprises.

Come network with promising entrepreneurs and successful business owners to exchange ideas, growth strategies and build a network of future business partners.

Register Today!

Questions? Contact chiachi@us.ibm.com

The Research Triangle Paradoxos - Live in Durham

Durham was once known as the home of tobacco. Today, it’s known as a city of resurgance, of renaissance, and on June 6^th and 7^th the region will gather to celebrate all that is Durham and what the Triangle has become. CED is thrilled to be a part of the Paradoxos celebration, and points to a number of paradoxical elements to intrigue us.

For example, “The Next” is presented by the Durham Chamber. These serious talks by world-renowned thought leaders take place throughout the day on Friday and are designed to inspire creative spirits. But inspiration comes in a completely different way on Friday evening with block parties, and the frivolity and light-heartedness you get with music, food trucks and local beer.

Thursday is as different as Friday is, with the Triangle Startup Factory’s pitch fest followed by tents pairing local brew houses, eateries and tech companies.

This event is a collaboration of a number of local groups, all of which point to a convergence of creativity that will be experienced throughout downtown Durham. From music and technology to food and beer, this inaugural Paradoxos event is designed to grow into an important centerpiece for our region, and throughout the Southeast.

You’ll need to put this one on your calendar. Two events require tickets: Triangle Startup Factory pitch day ($5) and Durham Chamber’s program The Next ($5). For more information and the most update agenda, visit http://www.paradoxos.co/.

Raleigh-based SnappForGood Launches the First Photo Crowdfunding Platform for Non-profits

May 10, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - SnappforGood, an innovate crowdfunding platform for nonprofits and good causes that enables nonprofits, businesses, marketers, and individuals to engage donors using social photography, is announcing its launch today.

"Nonprofits are looking for new ways to create enthusiastic and loyal donors, but without the extraordinary amount of effort required to host a traditional walkathon or large scale event," according to Roger Brook, Founder of SnappforGood.  "We believe Snappforgood is an exciting platform because it taps into our love of snapping, posting and sharing photographs, it allows fundraisers to easily create fun contests, and photos create inspirational connections between donors and their favorite cause."

About SnappforGood
SnappforGood was established in 2013 with the mission of helping fundraisers and marketers create more engaging and successful fundraising campaigns for their favorite nonprofits or good cause. We want to convert the billions of photos that get snapped, shared, and stored each year on social media sites like Instagram, on our phones, and on our cameras into doing good for others. Please visit us at http://www.snappforgood.com.

CONTACT
Roger Brook
SnappforGood
919-539-4697