GROW 2018-2022 Final Dashboard + Report

Final Dashboard + Report

When we started fundraising for this campaign in 2017, two specific issues repeatedly came to the forefront of conversations. How will we increase the number of good jobs in the region, and how will we find a way to retain our young talent. While those two goals were not the exclusive focus of the Chamber or the GROW Campaign, the link between them was obvious. If we don’t have quality jobs to offer in our community, those seeking jobs will either settle for lesser opportunities, or – especially in the case of the young workforce – they will leave Greensboro for a community that has jobs to offer them.

We developed a plan knowing what Greensboro needed in order to thrive, and the 2018-2022 GROW Campaign was our strategy for delivering necessary impact and set the stage for continued economic vitality in Greensboro for years to come. Our goal was not to make a plan for Greensboro – but to make a plan with Greensboro.

Little did we know how much the world would change by the time this campaign ended. Our community suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic, but throughout all the uncertainty, Greensboro and Guilford County came together – helping neighbors and standing up for what is right.

The last few years have shown the rest of the state and the world what we’ve always known – that Greensboro and Guilford County are THE place to be. Our incredible quality of life, the depth of our talent and workforce pool, and the unwavering support of our business community are now top headlines in the state and across the world.

The goals and stories in this report would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our investors. We thank you for everything you have done to support our team and look forward to the next five years of continuing to GROW Greensboro.

BRENT CHRISTENSEN President & CEO

STARTING AND GROWING

“LaunchLab Growth was foundational to my entire understanding of creating, sustaining, and growing a business. At Be Great Foundation we focus on economic mobility for marginalized populations by exposing young people to the myriad of opportunities that exist within STEM fields, many of which our students and scholars are unaware of before engaging with Be Great Foundation. Understanding our “customer”students and scholars - is paramount in delivering services that align with their goals and career plans, and ultimately making our customer the hero of their own story while helping them excel.” - CIANDRESS JACKSON

MONA KING, MONA + ASSOCIATES DESIGN, LLC

Prior to her LaunchLab experience, Mona had ideas for her interior architecture and environment design company but no strategies or plans to execute on them. After completing the accelerator program, her plans became more deliberate and focused on brand development and value to customers.

LIONELL SPOONER, DEVHELPERS

Lionell felt like being an entrepreneur was just a fancy way of saying he was unemployed. He spent plenty of time developing ideas, but it never translated to much income. Through working with Launch Greensboro and being around fellow entrepreneurs, Lionell has become empowered and encouraged. His web development company has steadily grown in revenue and has a team of three employees.

MEGAN SMOOT, JAH WORKS

Learning how to identify and create customer personas in the LaunchLab programs is something the Jah Works team still draws on today. Working with Launch Greensboro helped them focus on their mission which has been game-changing and has enabled them to make faster decisions. LaunchLab also helped them set up good business habits like meeting weekly as a team.

STERLING FREEMAN, LITTLE LIGHT SERIES

Before being introduced to Launch Greensboro, Sterling was in a very hopeful mindset. As a young entrepreneur, he was confident in the benefits of his arts education company, Little Light Series, but not as much in managing his business to a higher degree. Through the LaunchLab programs, he gained a clear direction for Little Light Series and resources to help him reach his new business goals.

“To me, LaunchLab is a sensible and rational utopian family and community that gives wings to dreams and ideas with an opportunity to take flight. Without such a utopian hangar to encourage visions and dreams, there can be no progress or actuality of entrepreneurial ambitions in the community, for obstacles are many as are discouragers. Having Lou Anne Flanders-Stec at the helm, guiding and cheerleading us cohorts towards our dreams and goals, LanchLab became the ray of hope that eased my tedious path, and led to better development of ideas and strategies, in executing my vision. Simply put, LaunchLab is a much needed entrepreneurial community, with Lou Anne as the admirable community leader!”

- SHAFNA SHAMSUDDIN ELAKA TREATS

- WILL DUNGEE

STARTING AND GROWING OUR OWN

We met our goal of “standing up” an early-stage seed fund, First Launch Capital Fund (FLCF), and raising needed funding to invest in early-stage companies. The original goal was $2.5M, and along with the First Launch Capital Board, we intentionally paused the fundraising efforts after $1.1M was raised. Why? Because we had sufficient funding needed for early-stage investments in the 2018-2022 GROW period. It became apparent there were other funding sources also available to early-stage entrepreneurs that had not been available when the plan was developed. For now, there is, and we celebrate that.

2020 Q3: FLCF 3RD INVESTMENT: SOELECT soelect.com | Greensboro, NC

Soelect is a developer of advanced solid-state battery components designed to power the next generation of electric vehicles, power tools, and mobile electronics. The company offers LiX™ anode technology and polymer-based solid-state electrolyte platform for high energy density and batteries, enabling portable electronics, drones, aircraft, space and any defense tactical weapons manufacturers to get cheaper and efficient battery product compared to lithium-ion batteries.

2021 Q1: FLCF 4TH

INVESTMENT: PROODOS

proodos.work | Winston-Salem, NC

Proodos is a cutting-edge platform for project management and decision-making inspired by navigation and driven by artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and advanced computation.

2021 Q1: FLCF 5TH INVESTMENT: UNBOX THE DRESS unboxthedress.com | Winston-Salem, NC

Unbox The Dress is the first online service that allows both the modern matriarch or new bride to care for, store, and plan to transform their original wedding dress into family heirlooms and gifts for loved ones when the time is right.

2021 Q4: FLCF 6TH INVESTMENT: BEAM DYNAMICS beamdynamics.io | Winston-Salem, NC

Beam provides a cloud-based product intelligence platform designed for the media industry, helping customers reduce equipment failure. With BeamONTM, engineering teams gain instant visibility to their entire production inventory across departments and regions.

2022 Q1: FLCF 7TH INVESTMENT: FUSE ONCOLOGY

Fuse Oncology is a new management platform that deploys leading-edge technology to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety for oncology practices.

STARTING AND GROWING OUR OWN

Accelerate Greensboro, a Minority Business Accelerator (MBA), was established following our 2015 Intercity Visit to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the vision to make Greensboro the nation’s #1 destination for minority entrepreneurs to grow and develop their business. The program began with 10 portfolio companies and 4 goal-setter companies seeking to foster the growth of local, ethnic minority-owned businesses and to expand the region’s minority entrepreneurial business sector.

In 2020, we partnered with the national organization, Interise, to develop Scale to Excel, a program to help minority-owned businesses accelerate their growth. The program is designed for local minority business owners who want to get out of isolation, work on their business (not just in it) and get to the next level of growth. Since its inception, Scale to Excel has graduated two cohorts with the first cohort reporting $650,000 in increased revenue as a direct result of what they learned in the program.

“Being involved with the Chamber’s MBA has definitely helped our business grow with strategic introductions to the Aerospace industry and other local businesses such as HAECO Americas. We work diligently to be innovative and look to diversify our business for continued sustainable growth while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to constantly changing market conditions.”

CEO/PRESIDENT, CORE TECHNOLOGY MOLDING CORPORATION

SCALE TO EXCEL COHORTS

2022

William Steven Allen, The Allen Real Estate Group

Winsome Erica Barnett, Helping Hands Cleaning Services of the Triad LLC

Monique Crutchfield, Piedmont Counseling and Development Services, PLLC

Dhanraj Emanuel, Dhanraj Emanuel Photography

Ashleigh Odom, Ashlen Staffing Solutions

FaLon Thomas, Onyx Ocean Technologies

Tara Tillman, Westchester Reality LLC

Jacqueline White, African American Art & More

Brent Archie, Archie Services LLC

Larry Fairley, Marketing Resource Solutions, LLC

Richard Fuqua, Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services

Will Gaddy III, Greensboro Staffing Consultants

Lisa Gilgeours, Gilgeours Construction Corporation

Clifford McClain, Construction Concepts and Design Inc.

Tanisha Pridgen, TCE Cleaning LLC

Murali Ramaswamy, Pulmonlx, LLC

Robert Rogers, ESRA Facility Management & Consulting, Inc.

Desmond Sharpe, Sharpe Pursuits Inc. Shayla Sharpe, Sharpe Pursuits Inc. David Small, Skyline Video Pros

C2 CONTRACTORS

Sometimes the connection just makes sense. C2 Contractors, one of the Greensboro Chamber’s original Accelerate Greensboro portfolio companies, and HICAPS had worked together on various projects with Guilford County Schools since the early 2000s. However, when HICAPS lost a bid contract to C2Contractors, the two companies started a pretty extensive dive into what it was going to take to win larger opportunities together. Specifically, what it would take to become the project management arm for Guilford County Schools after the passage of the $300M Bond Campaign. The two companies realized they were a much stronger team rather than competitors.

The joint venture agreement made C2Contractors and HICAPS the largest minority-owned construction company and construction management program manager in the Triad – growing C2Contractors from 12 employees to 20. With the addition of HICAPS’s existing employees, the joint venture now employes almost 70 people in the Triad. While it was formed to strategically fill the needs of the Greensboro community and North Carolina, the joint venture is quickly becoming an example for minority participation in contracting and construction management thoughout the Southeast region.

Danny Brown, United Maintenance Group, 2021 Small Business of the Year. Learn more about him here: bit.ly/3UMV1mm

TALENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

In collaboration with Action Greensboro and seven other regional partner organizations, the Greensboro Chamber initiated a Triad Talent Alignment Strategy. The purpose of the Strategy is to ensure education and workforce development efforts are aligned with the needs

FILL CHRONICALLY VACANT POSITIONS AND RETAIN COLLEGE TALENT

1,087

GOAL: 1,000

of employers and to coordinate existing education and workforce development initiatives currently underway throughout the region. Ultimately, the Strategy aims to create the next generation workforce our region needs to propel our economy forward.

Through the Talent Alignment Strategy lens, the Greensboro Chamber took a leadership role in working with Guilford County Schools to reinvent Career and Technical Education that would provide exciting, relevant career pathways for all students. Concurrently, the Chamber worked with Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) to grow the number of companies and students participating in apprenticeships, while diversifying the industry sectors participating in GAP which aligned with the research showing high-demand skills currently and in the future.

With 300 apprentices participating or graduated from GAP, companies can build their own reliable talent pipeline.

“A hallmark of our culture is championing employee learning and development and through Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), our IT organization has had the incredible experience of fostering a new generation of talent,” said Joe Weider, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Lincoln. “We are committed to helping these young students become well-rounded IT professionals by providing hands-on experience and giving them direct insight into what goes on behind the scenes to support our business. Our apprentices are gaining technical skills across all areas of IT and mentoring from all levels of leadership to empower their growth and confidence.”

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EASTERN TRIAD WORKFORCE INITIATIVE

The Greensboro Chamber also recognized the need for a unique, enhanced investment in workforce development to build a reliable pipeline of skilled workers, evidenced by the Triad Talent Alignment Strategy research.

The Chamber worked to develop the Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative (ETWI), a business-led, 6-year public-private partnership pilot between 25 education and workforce development agencies in Alamance, Guilford, Randolph, and Rockingham Counties, collaborating together successfully to create and expand workforce development programs to further build a reliable pipeline of talented, skilled workers to support the needs of existing industry and future jobs recruited to the region.

Our advocacy efforts, supported by the Guilford Delegation to the General Assembly of North Carolina, led to $12.2 million awarded by the State between FY 2018/19 and FY 2022/23, and leveraged private matching funds, to support ETWI’s goals that have:

Changed minds and shifted paradigms of students, parents, educators, businesses, and the public about the extraordinary futures in high-skill

Jumpstarted exponential growth in participating companies, students, and workers in targeted workforce programs: apprenticeships, internships, and retraining/upskilling;

Pivoted to virtual and distance-learning opportunities and technology, which included launching a new mobile career center to meet under-connected workers where they are in the greater Guilford County area.

5 SIGNATURE CAREER ACADEMIES

Guilford County Schools launched five Signature Career Academies in Fall 2019 for students interested in career pathways in specific fields aligning with the Triad Talent Strategy Research.

The Academies are small schools within schools that provide cohorts of students common Career and Technical Education courses, industry certification opportunities, career and college advisement and mentorship, and career-specific learning experiences. The district has worked for more than a year to launch the first phase of career academies. In early June 2019, school teams comprised of 37 teachers, principals, and district leaders participated in the first two of four days of Signature Career Academy externship-based workshops to get ready for the fall. The workshops were coordinated with staff support from the Greensboro and High Point Chambers of Commerce, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. Workshops, located at UPS, Lenovo, Kao, and Procter & Gamble, were facilitated by consultants with the Southern Regional Education Board and were funded by grant dollars from the Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative.

5 SIGNATURE CAREER ACADEMIES

The Academy of Biomedical and Specialized Health Sciences located at The Academy at Smith

The Academy of Transportation, Distribution and Logistics located at Western Guilford High School

The Academies of Computer and Information Science located at Kearns Academy in High Point and at Northeast Guilford High School

The Academy of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering located at Smith High School

TALENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

ACTION GREENSBORO'S CAMPUS GREENSBORO FELLOWS PROGRAM

From 2018-2022, 410 Fellows were hosted at 115 local business and community organizations. 76% of those Fellows attended one of Campus Greensboro’s higher education partners including UNCG, NC A&T, GTCC, Bennett College, Elon University, Greensboro College, and Guilford College.

On average, 30% of the students who participate in the flagship Campus Greensboro Summer Fellows Program are first-generation college students.

After completing the program, responding Fellows indicated in our Post- Program Student Survey:

» 89% are interested in staying in Greensboro after graduation

» 92% built a network they believe will help them professionally

» 85% better understand which companies in Greensboro are in their desired industry

» 97% had a summer experience they believe will help them toward their career goals

» 93% feel more prepared to apply for job/internship opportunities

» 92% feel more confident to advocate for themselves and their needs as a professional

» 92% have more knowledge about diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Additional reporting on recent cohorts indicates that of those students eligible to enter the workforce or to continue their internship roles, 53% accepted full-time, part-time, or internship employment in the greater Greensboro area following their internship.

“The Kellin Foundation has been fortunate to participate in this program since its start. In 2021, our fantastic intern worked with The Kellin Foundation team to develop our primary fundraiser, Journey to Brave, leading the efforts around our silent auction. The intern learned new skills, participated in staff training, and gained in-depth exposure to the field of counseling. In addition to helping The Kellin Foundation execute a successful fundraiser, the intern has decided to pursue a Ph.D., which will be supported by recommendations from Kellin Foundation staff. It was a win-win situation as the intern explored their career options while also contributing to the overarching goals of the organization.”

40% of the 2022 Fellows Applicants indicated they are first-generation college students, and 34% are Pell Grant recipients 59% of the 2022 Fellows cohort are students of color

“Omar Addus was an absolute pleasure to work with this summer. As we do with all of our interns each year, we had him rotate throughout the entire company with the objective of learning big picture how a small distribution company operates day to day. A review of his final presentation to our executive management team and his essay will confirm just how much he learned via the program. It also highlights his great sense of humor!

Thank you for creating this opportunity for both Omar and GP Supply! We truly value the opportunity to invest in young people and the community we love.”

- ANTONIO WALLACE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | GP SUPPLY COMPANY

2020 NEXT IN FINTECH COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

During this virtual week-long event from October 12-19, 2020, student teams from colleges and universities statewide tackled two community issues utilizing financial technology. Cone Health provided a challenge around healthcare access and telehealth during COVID-19 and Piedmont Business Capital provided a challenge around racial economic equity and resources for minority businesses.

85 student participants 11 NC colleges and universities represented 58 Success Squad volunteers

2021 CYBERSECURITY COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

83% have a stronger interest to pursue a career in FinTech 72% have a stronger interest to pursue a career in FinTech in Greensboro/Triad 93% better understand how FinTech plays a role in different industries

POST CHALLENGE STUDENT SURVEY: 89% are likely to pursue a career in Cybersecurity 67% likely to pursue a career in Cybersecurity in Greensboro/Triad 80% have more knowledge of the role Cybersecurity plays in different industries

The Campus Greensboro Cybersecurity Community Challenge was the 2nd annual Community Challenge hosted by Campus Greensboro in November 2021. The purpose of the Community Challenge was to spark an interest in college students statewide to learn about career opportunities in cybersecurity in the Triad. During the virtual week-long event, student teams tackled real-world, cybersecurity challenges provided by community nonprofits, Guilford County, and the City of Greensboro. 60 student participants 13 NC colleges and universities represented 24 Success Squad volunteers

POST CHALLENGE STUDENT SURVEY:

TELLING OUR STORY

Greensboro and Guilford County’s story of the last five years centered on our incredible workforce, our quality of life, and our unwavering resiliency in the face of uncertainty. Our metrics kicked off with the loss of the Toyota-Mazda Plant in the first quarter of 2018 (624M impressions) and our metrics ended with impressions number in the billions as a result of not one megasite-level project, but two coming to our community. National attention has stayed on the Triad as North Carolina again became the #1 state to do business, largely in part to these announcements.

The coverage of Toyota commitment to the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite in December 2021 totaled 1,811 traditional media hits and 1.63 billion impressions with an additional 712 social hits and 5.67 million impressions.

Earned media and rankings for Greensboro were numerous, detailing Greensboro as one of the Best Sports Cities in America, one of the Most Diverse Cities in America, to #12 out of 15 Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in 2020, among many others.

The coverage of the Boom Supersonic announcement of the Overture Superfactory in January 2022 totaled 825 traditional media hits for a total of 115 million impressions. Social Media posts totaled 3,467 with total impressions numbering 50 million.