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	LA-Based Pickford Screens AI-Driven Film Experience in Raleigh Posted Yesterday 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 Wednesday 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 Tuesday 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 Monday 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 Monday 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.
	Launch Chapel Hill Showcases Inaugural International Accelerator Cohort Posted July 17, 2026 tl;dr Launch Chapel Hill, a startup support hub, ran its first international accelerator program this summer, taking student founders from six startups on a two-week "Hub Crawl" through Europe (Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, and France) to learn about entrepreneurship and technology before returning to North Carolina for local networking events. The program ended with a public pitch event where founders presented innovative ideas, including an AI cybersecurity tool for small businesses, a cancer-detecting X-ray model, a campus marketing platform, patient-monitoring patches, eco-friendly packaging made from seaweed, and a health-tracking device using menstrual blood data. Founders praised the experience for the mentorship, connections, and motivation it provided, along with fun cultural moments like enjoying Belgian food and watching World Cup matches in France.
	Friday Fix: The Download with Chris Halligan, Extellis, Trybl, and More! Posted July 17, 2026 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!
	Duke and UNC Graduates’ Trybl Aims to Engineer ‘Social Automation’ Posted July 16, 2026 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.”
	Extellis’ Out-Of-This-World Satellite Imaging, Backed by $7M+ in Funding Posted July 15, 2026 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.
	The Download: Chris Halligan, Co-Founder, Good Human Partners Posted July 14, 2026 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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