Winston-Salem-based Inmar to Expand in Piedmont Triad Research Park

Inmar Inc. said today it is expanding its operations and will move into former R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. buildings in the Piedmont Triad Research Park.

The buildings total 240,000 square feet and the renovations will take about 17 months to complete.

"This move gives us the opportunity to be an important part of the exciting downtown revitalization while enabling us to pursue our long-term goals of growth and attracting great talent," said Inmar CEO David Mounts.

The company said in April that is would be adding 212 jobs and retaining more than 700 employees.

The park is considered the leading new-economy engine for Forsyth County and the Triad, with about 925 employees currently on its campus.

Founded in 1980 as a coupon company, Inmar has grown into a technology firm that offers consulting and software services, among other operations. Read more.

Winston-Salem-based Cook Medical receives FDA approval for Stent

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Cook Medical clearance for the Evolution® Colonic Controlled-Release Stent. The new stent expands Cook's line of controlled-release stents.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 103,000 new cases of colon cancer will be reported in 2012 in the U.S. alone. Some patients with colon cancer may experience colonic obstruction, which can be painful and uncomfortable. Cook’s Evolution colonic stent helps physicians reduce the symptoms associated with obstruction.

Cook Medical's Endoscopy Division is located in Winston-Salem, NC. Read more.

Help North Carolina make a strong showing at Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference

Just over two months from now, North Carolina will join the Mid-Atlantic Bio conference. We’re proud to be a part of the region that:

- Initiates one third of the country’s clinical trials
- Has 106,000 biotech workers at 3,500-plus companies
- Pulls down one of every 10 NIH funding dollars

The conference can help you make federal connections, meet new partners and find new investors.

Early bird registration ends Monday. Save $75 with the NC2012 discount code.

NC Ranks Top State for Business

North Carolina has ranked fourth on CNBC's list of America's top five states for business.

The Tar Heel state ranked highest in infrastructure and technology, workforce, technology and innovation and business friendliness.

The rankings are based on 10 categories where states are evaluated based on publicly available data and information. Other categories include the cost of doing business, education, access to capital and cost of living.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts to Host North America’s First Entertainment Innovation Conference in Winston-Salem

From September 6 through 8, 2012, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) will host North America’s first Entertainment Innovation Conference in Winston-Salem, NC. The conference is sponsored by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and features workshops with Cirque du Soleil®, their technical partners and some of the most respected professionals in the entertainment industry. College students, professors and entertainment professionals will explore the merger of arts and innovation. Visit eic.uncsa.edu for registration and information.

INVESTOR-READY ENTREPRENEUR SEMINAR TO BE OFFERED AT WFU

Raising equity capital is challenging at best. Becoming an Investor-Ready EntrepreneurTM is designed to educate and prepare growth-oriented entrepreneurs to successfully engage private equity investors.

Learn from experienced investors and entrepreneurs. Panelists and moderators include:
- Chris Gyves, WCSR – transactional attorney and investor
- Patrick Kammer, C Change Surgical – serial entrepreneur
- Tim Janke, SBTDC / IMAF – investor and early stage fund executive
- Bill Parrish, SBTDC – consultant, entrepreneur and investor

KEYNOTE: Kim Westmoreland, Managing Director, KeraNetics
Kim is a serial entrepreneur and founder of six start-ups, including KeraNetics, a biomaterials company focused on creating innovative keratin-based products.

TO REGISTER: The Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur registration fee is $295; however, you are eligible for a special scholarship rate of $95 courtesy of our statewide and local sponsors.

DATE/TIME: August 7, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

PLACE: Worrell Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.sbtdc.org/investorready

SPONSORED BY: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice. PRESENTED BY: the SBTDC.

New Initiative to Streamline Broadband Growth

The federal government will seek to streamline broadband growth by eliminating hurdles related to access to federal land and rights of way. The Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment initiative will be headed by representatives from the General Services Administration, the federal government’s real estate manager, and the Department of Homeland Security and include representatives from 11 other federal agencies. With its mandate to improve access and promote the growth of broadband, the task force will report its progress to the White House in one year.