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	Climbit Safely: Raleigh Startup Helps Climbers Map & Monitor Ideal Conditions Posted Today tl;dr Kyle Tomek, a Ph.D. student and mountain climber in North Carolina, got tired of bad weather ruining climbing trips, so he built a spreadsheet to predict conditions and eventually turned it into a startup called Climbit in 2024. The app helps climbers decide when and where to safely climb by giving each location a "Climbit Score" based on weather, terrain, shade, and sun angle, without relying heavily on AI since many climbers prefer a more natural approach. Climbit has grown to over 6,000 monthly users and partnered with climbing organizations, and Tomek hopes to eventually expand the tool to other outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and skiing.
	The Alchemy Lab is a Durham Startup Built to Help Your Organization Mature Posted Tuesday tl;dr Two doctors started a company called The Alchemy Lab that helps business leaders figure out what their teams are doing well and what needs improvement, using a system similar to the periodic table in chemistry. Their AI tool, called Aurum, studies how a leader rates different parts of their organization and then creates a personalized year-long plan with specific steps to help them improve. The company is just getting started with about 70 users, but they hope to eventually help leaders everywhere measure their progress instead of just guessing based on experience.
	Kathedra’s Innovative Approach to Upholstery Automation Posted Monday tl;dr Kathedra is a startup in North Carolina that builds robots to handle the painful, repetitive parts of upholstery work, like stapling fabric, so human workers avoid injuries like back pain and carpal tunnel. Founder David Faes started the company because many experienced upholsterers are retiring and young people don't want to join the industry due to the physical toll, risking the loss of valuable craft knowledge. Kathedra has already won startup competitions and landed a $235,000 pilot deal with a major furniture company, hoping to preserve the art of upholstery by combining it with helpful new technology.
	Monday Mix: Startups to Watch Nominations, LAUNCH/KPMG, LaunchCLT, and More! Posted Monday tl;dr This week's Monday Mix has a bunch of deadlines and events for people involved in startups. There's a big energy conference happening Monday and Tuesday, plus a Wednesday session about how AI can (and can't) be used in legal work. On top of that, there are three important deadlines this week—two program applications due by Wednesday and Friday, and a chance to nominate a startup for a special award by Friday at midnight.
	Friday Fix: Amissa, Insight Twin, LiLa’s Anniversary, and More! Posted Friday tl;dr GrepBeat.com shares news about startups and technology, and every Friday, David Schwartz gives a quick podcast recap called the "Friday Fix" to help people catch up. This week's recap covered stories about Amissa Health, LiLa's 2nd anniversary event, Insight Twin, and a fun new movie experience from Pickford.ai. It also reminded listeners that applications for the 2026 Startups to Watch list are due by July 31st, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss anything!
	LA-Based Pickford Screens AI-Driven Film Experience in Raleigh Posted July 23, 2026 tl;dr GrepBeat tried out something new by attending a screening from Pickford, an LA-based company that creates AI-powered movies where the audience can shape the story in real time by typing comments, like in a murder mystery called "Whispers" featuring Detective Marcus Kent. During the show, viewers' messages acted as "whispers" in the detective's head, sometimes offering real clues and other times leading to funny distractions, until the mystery was finally solved after about 90 minutes. Pickford, whose team has experience from places like Pixar and Epic Games, plans to keep improving the technology, create more interactive stories, and is even aiming for an Emmy award someday.
	Cary’s Insight Twin Builds Digital Twins to Guide Companies’ AI Transformations Posted July 22, 2026 tl;dr Michael Schank started a company called Insight Twin that helps businesses fully understand how they work by creating a detailed digital model, or "digital twin," of their people, processes, and systems. Unlike other tools that only use existing company data, Insight Twin also interviews employees to capture important knowledge that isn't written down anywhere, giving a more complete picture of the organization. With this model, companies can use AI more effectively to find inefficiencies, manage risks, and plan major changes across their entire business rather than just one small piece at a time.
	Charlotte’s Amissa is “Bridging the Menopause Care Gap” Posted July 21, 2026 tl;dr Amissa is a Charlotte startup that helps doctors better care for women going through menopause by turning daily symptom-tracking data into quick, easy-to-read summaries clinicians can use during appointments. Co-founder Sam Smith started the company after seeing her own mother suffer for years without proper support, and Amissa has since grown through NIH funding, investor partnerships, and even an unexpected pitch to an investor while Smith was in the operating room having her baby. The team’s goal is to expand Amissa into hospitals and health systems nationwide so that no woman has to go through menopause without proper medical support.
	LiLa Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary at Zinchouse Posted July 20, 2026 tl;dr LiLa, a group for women interested in local business investing, recently celebrated two years since it started back in 2024. In that time, it has grown to include over 400 members who attend events to learn about startups, practice evaluating pitches, and support one another. LiLa has also teamed up with several other organizations in the area, and it continues to welcome new members who want to join its supportive community.
	Monday Mix: NC IDEA Grant Info Sessions, DEEEEEP DIVE, GRO12 Application Deadline, and More! Posted July 20, 2026 tl;dr This week's Monday Mix has a busy schedule of events for entrepreneurs, including grant information sessions in Wilmington and the Triangle that could help companies win $50,000 in funding. Throughout the week there are also tech talks, deep-dive discussions for founders, and an application deadline for a business incubator program. Don't forget two important dates coming up: nominations for "Startups to Watch" are open until July 31st, and there's a celebration event planned for September 24th.

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