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Friday Fix: The Download with Chris Halligan, Extellis, Trybl, and More!
Posted Yesterday tl;dr Every week, GrepBeat.com shares lots of news about startups and technology, and their "Friday Fix" segment with David Schwartz helps you catch up on anything you missed. This week's recap included a podcast interview, feature stories on companies called Extellis and Trybl, and a summary of an accelerator event. It also reminded listeners that applications for the "2026 Startups to Watch" list close on July 31st, so anyone interested should apply soon! |
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Duke and UNC Graduates’ Trybl Aims to Engineer ‘Social Automation’
Posted Thursday tl;dr Duke graduate Hakeem Shitta-Bey created Trybl, a networking app that makes it easier for college students to connect with mentors and peers by automatically scheduling “Coffee Chats” based on their calendars, interests, and career goals. The platform uses AI to prepare users for conversations and summarize them afterward, helping students build meaningful relationships without the usual stress of networking. Trybl’s founders hope to expand the app’s “Communities” feature so students can form groups, attend events, and support each other like a close-knit “tribe.” |
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Extellis’ Out-Of-This-World Satellite Imaging, Backed by $7M+ in Funding
Posted Wednesday tl;dr Extellis is a Durham-based startup, started by Duke University researchers, that is building special satellite technology to take clearer, faster pictures of Earth—even at night or through clouds—using a special material called metamaterials. Unlike current systems, which are limited by weather, power, or slow scanning speeds, Extellis's antennas can capture thousands of images a day, making them useful for tracking things like ships, farms, or power lines. The company has already earned millions of dollars in funding, including support from DARPA and Shell Ventures, and plans to use the money to grow its team and eventually sell its satellite images to companies that need reliable, large-scale data. |
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The Download: Chris Halligan, Co-Founder, Good Human Partners
Posted Tuesday tl;dr Chris Halligan is a Charlotte entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Good Human Partners, a consulting firm that helps startup founders with growth strategies and raising money. He's currently working with several exciting companies in the Charlotte area, including FastBreak.ai, Lucid Bots, Franzy, and Siftwell.ai, all of which are growing quickly. Outside of work, Chris enjoys simple pleasures like good coffee, local restaurants with great music, and supporting founders by being both honest and encouraging as they navigate the challenges of running a business. |
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Monday Mix: AI-First Startups, Brews and Bytes, an Agent AMA, and More!
Posted Monday tl;dr This week's newsletter highlights several tech and AI-related events happening across North Carolina, including sessions in Raleigh, Durham, Davidson, and Charlotte from Monday through Thursday. These events cover topics like AI startups, growth strategies, and networking opportunities for people in the tech industry. Additionally, nominations are now open for the 2026 "Startups to Watch" list, and anyone can nominate a deserving startup until July 31st. |
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Charlotte’s RoboLeanX Leans on Robots to Transform Manufacturing
Posted July 10, 2026 tl;dr A Charlotte startup called RoboLeanX is using smart, AI-powered robots to help factories with tasks that are still done by hand, like sorting parts, checking for defects, and keeping workers safe. Founder Kashyap Gaglani says these two-armed "cognitive robots" can learn a job in about eight weeks, work non-stop, and use cameras to inspect products faster and more accurately than people, cutting production time by 60% and defects by 70%. The company is testing its technology with free pilot programs before moving to a subscription model, and it hopes to help small and medium-sized manufacturers overcome labor shortages while preparing to raise its first round of investment funding. |
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Friday Fix: Fixxr, Looks AI, and RoboLeanX
Posted July 10, 2026 tl;dr GrepBeat.com shares news about startups and technology, and their "Friday Fix" segment with David Schwartz helps readers catch up on the week's top stories. This week featured three companies—Fixxr, Looks AI, and RoboLeanX—plus a reminder that applications for the 2026 Startups to Watch are due July 31st. You can listen to the full podcast recap and subscribe to stay updated on future startup news in your area. |
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Triangle’s Looks AI Brings Trust and Commissions to Online Shoppers
Posted July 8, 2026 tl;dr Jessica Couch created a startup called Looks AI to solve a common problem with online shopping: not knowing if clothes will actually fit before you buy them. Her app lets customers share photos of clothing they bought and loved, and if someone else purchases that same item after seeing the post, the original poster earns a commission—turning everyday shoppers into trusted fashion influencers without needing tons of followers. Looks AI is currently partnering with smaller fashion brands on Shopify and hopes to keep growing by connecting with more investors, clothing companies, and specific groups like athletes who often struggle to find well-fitting clothes. |
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Charlotte’s Fixxr Brings Transparency to Auto Repair
Posted July 6, 2026 tl;dr Colton McComas, who grew up fixing cars and studied mechanical engineering at UNC-Charlotte, teamed up with classmate Thomas Spraker to create Fixxr, a startup that uses AI to help drivers understand car problems and find trustworthy repair shops. The app analyzes videos and sounds from a car to diagnose issues through a series of smart questions, then connects users with vetted mechanics who provide competing, clearly explained price quotes. With a growing presence in Charlotte and Raleigh, McComas hopes Fixxr will one day become as essential for car troubles as Uber is for rides or DoorDash is for food delivery. |
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Monday Mix: AI Unfiltered, PitchBreakfast, NC TECH Awards, and Much More!
Posted July 6, 2026 tl;dr This week's Monday Mix highlights several tech and business events happening across North Carolina. Key deadlines include the NC TECH Awards applications and the Joules Accelerator applications, both due Wednesday, July 8th, along with events like Downtown Techies in Raleigh, PitchBreakfast in Charlotte, and an AI-focused coffee chat in Chapel Hill. The week wraps up Thursday with an Innovation Forum at UNC-Wilmington featuring Dr. Ulku Clark, and listeners can also catch all this news through the GrepBeat podcast. |
