Regional News

Don't miss our other news sources!

DataFlux Named One of 1999's Top 100 Organizations by DM Review Magazine


DataFlux Corporation, an emerging software company in Raleigh, was recently named to the DM Review's "1999 Data Warehouse 100." "The Data Warehouse 100" was determined based on the results of a comprehensive readership survey that rated vendors of data warehousing and business intelligence solutions. DataFlux debuted at number 84 on the list and was recognized for the dfPower Series, an award-winning suite of data quality software applications. DataFlux was a demo company at Software '98 and InfoTech '99 and went through the STREAK program before presenting at Venture '99 last spring.

[return to top of EntreNews]

LendingTree Names Former Coca-Cola Executive As CMO


LendingTree Inc. has named former Coca-Cola USA executive Tom Reddin as chief marketing officer. This announcement comes after recently securing the funding for a $50 million marketing campaign. Reddin brings a wealth of experience that could prove invaluable to the Internet-based loan marketplace. During his 18-year stint as vice president for consumer marketing at Coca-Cola, he created the concept of occasion-based marketing, a method of channel marketing, and developed strategies for on-line shopping and vending and packaging for the soft drink company's 21 brands.

[return to top of EntreNews]

No More Fruit Baskets!


The Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, L.L.P. law firm is combining the traditions of holiday cards and charitable giving with Web sites, giving its clients an opportunity to help support leading area charities. Instead of sending fruit baskets or other novelties this Christmas, they are emailing clients a card and letting them select among three charities - the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity or Special Olympics - who they would like to donate to. Smith Helms will tabulate the voting and allocate contributions to the three charities

[return to top of EntreNews]

TLC and UNC-Charlotte Offer RTP-OD Certificate Program


The Learning Consortium (TLC) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte announce they are offering the second RTP-OD Certificate program. The program is designed to go beyond formal education and on-the-job learning. The Certificate Program in Organization Development (OD) covers the fundamentals of OD as it is currently practiced in successful business organizations. The teaching faculty includes experienced academics in the fields, as well as accomplished OD practitioners. Through the program's focus on key concepts, work with skill sets central to the discipline, and intensive individual assessment by the teaching faculty, participants who successfully complete the program will be equipped to enhance their business performance and the quality of the work life of their organizations. The number of participants is limited to 25. This is a program for both OD professionals and those who wish to learn these tools and strategies to better execute their leadership and roles within their companies. CED members receive the TLC membership rate because of our partnership with TLC.

To find out more information, call (919) 572-2825 or visit the UNC-Charlotte page on the TLC web site.

[return to top of EntreNews]

BTI Gets $200 Million Investment


BTI is getting a $200 million investment, its largest private investment ever, from Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a New York equity firm, The News & Observer reports. The investment will help the Raleigh-based communications firm to finance continued expansion in the Southeast and future acquisitions. In return, Welsh, Carson will get 200 shares of BTI that may be converted to common stock, as well as 4.5 million warrants - or options - for additional shares of stock. That means Welsh, Carson will own 19.5 percent of the company. BTI will buy back $65 million in common stock owned by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter Loftin. Loftin will remain the major owner of BTI, but will reduce to company founder's control to just under 80 percent.

[return to top of EntreNews]

Owens Corning Adds to Buildnet's Third Round of Financing


Owens Corning invested an undisclosed amount in Buildnet's growing third round financing as it becomes a founding member sponsoring a category on the Buildnet Web site. Buildnet spokesman John Wagner told dbusiness.com that the company is in the process of raising an $80 million third round of financing that it hopes to close by early January. It raised $35.7 million in a second round led by G.E. Capital in May, a Southeast record at the time. To read more about the funding, visit dbusiness.com at http://charlotte.dbusiness.com/index.asp?layout=story&doc_id=14602.

[return to top of EntreNews]

New Incubator Closes on $500,000 Funding


A new start-up incubator -- Greenlight -- closed a $500,000 operating fund which it will use to fund up to six entrepreneurs who will be housed in a 6,000 square foot warehouse space in Research Triangle Park. Founded by experienced Triangle entrepreneurs, Kevin Bowles and Evan Jones, Greenlight wants to raise $4 million - $5 million in capital from venture funds. It plans to give each company a cubicle in the open incubator space, provide legal, accounting, and other business services, and from $100,000 - $250,000 in start up capital, Bowles told dbusiness.com. Bowles, Jones and five other private investors contributed to the operating fund and will also invest in the capital fund.

[return to top of EntreNews]

Events Update




January 11th — Mergers and Acquisitions 2000

January 12th — InfoTech Roundtable: New Emerging IT Business Models
January 20th — EntreForum: Non-Traditional Financing Models

January 24th — Biotechnology Roundtable

[return to top of EntreNews]