A $100 million pledge toward a proposed $3 billion children's hospital in Apex, a $237 million loan for a Morrisville life sciences campus, and why Raleigh employers are paying more to hire. Plus, a $52 million raise for Durham's Kevel, a new podcast from the Durham Police Department, and the events you need on your calendar.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Duke Endowment donates $100M to NC Children's Hospital (Axios Raleigh): https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/10/20/duke-endowment-donates-100-million-to-nc-children-hospital
• $237.7M loan for the Pathway Triangle life sciences campus (Commercial Observer): https://commercialobserver.com/2026/10/starwood-property-trust-238m-refi-north-carolina-life-sciences-campus/
• Vulcan Elements partners with UNC on rare-earth magnet research (Axios Raleigh): https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/10/20/vulcan-elements-will-partner-with-unc-on-magnets-research
• Raleigh employers pay about 8% above the national average (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/10/14/raleigh-north-carolina-hiring-salary-premiums.html
• NC receives $1.5M+ in federal specialty crop grants (USDA announcement, via WHBL): https://whbl.com/?p=1016936
• Kevel raises $52M Series D (AdExchanger): https://www.adexchanger.com/commerce/retail-media-platform-kevel-raises-52-million-with-ma-on-the-brain/
• Unlocking Retail Media, Kevel's podcast hosted by James Avery and produced by Walk West: https://www.kevel.com/podcast
• Bull City Beats, the Durham Police Department podcast: https://www.durhamnc.gov/5614/DPD-Podcast---Bull-City-Beats
• Raleigh-Durham Climate Week, Nov. 2-6: https://raleigh-durham.climate-week.org/
• Full events calendar: https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason Gillikin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

What BizBrief readers told us about juggling work and child care, new owners for Raleigh Founded, and Transfer Co. Food Hall hits the market. Plus, who's taking over at Visit Raleigh, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• What BizBrief readers told us about life as a working parent — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/business/child-care-work-bizbrief-reader-feedback-raleigh
• Wake County child care subsidy program, Early Years (free referrals), and Wake County Smart Start: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/social-services/child-care-subsidy-services
• NC Tri-Share child care program (EdNC explainer): https://www.ednc.org/02-17-2025-tri-share-nc-pilot-reduce-child-care-costs-expands-businesses-statewide/
• Raleigh Founded changes hands (Triangle Business Journal): https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/10/15/raleigh-founders-ownership-chage.html
• Lauren Romer's LinkedIn announcement — https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7516565673574125568/
• Transfer Co. Food Hall listing (York Properties): https://www.commercialsearch.com/commercial-property/us/nc/raleigh/transfer-co-food-hall/
• Loren Gold named president & CEO of Visit Raleigh (Northstar Meetings Group): https://www.northstarmeetingsgroup.com/News/Convention-and-Visitor-Bureaus/loren-gold-president-ceo-visit-raleigh
• NASA names Christina Koch acting deputy chief engineer: https://www.nasa.gov/?p=1056041
• Dadov handbags and John Cooper's investment (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/10/14/cooper-tacia-dadov-handbags-paris-fashion-week.html
• Hovilpri FDA approval (Asahi Kasei Therapeutics announcement): https://www.asahi-kasei.com/news/2026/e261013
• NC TECH Awards: https://www.nctech.org/events/Awards
• Area Development's 2026 Top States for Doing Business: https://www.areadevelopment.com/Top-States-for-Doing-Business/q3-2026/where-competitive-advantage-becomes-project-certainty.shtml
• Rinse-A-Poo at the NC Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown: https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/sbcnstartupshowdown/meet-the-cohort/dan-spangler/
• Full events calendar: https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason Gillikin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

The Triangle degree that pays more than $297,000 four years after graduation, Michael Jordan's record gift to UNC, and Wolfspeed's shot at up to $1.5 billion in federal financing. Plus, a chance to win a signed copy of a brand-new thriller, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Which degrees pay the most (The New York Times analysis of federal earnings data) — https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/10/07/your-money/college-degree-earnings-guide.html
• Michael Jordan's $10M gift to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/michael-jordan-honors-mom-with-10m-gift-to-unc-chapel-hill-school-of-social-work/
• SAS and NC State partner on AI health research (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/sas-fetes-50th-anniversary-with-nc-state-tied-ai-initiative/
• RTI International eliminating about 200 positions (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/10/01/rti-international-layoffs-jobs-funding-rtp-campus.html#new_tab
• UNC Health breaks ground on Cary/RTP medical campus (WRAL) — https://www.wral.com/news/local/unc-health-breaks-ground-cary-medical-office-hospital-october-2026/
• Wolfspeed's potential $1.5B in federal financing (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/wolfspeed-shares-soar-on-news-of-1-5-billion-federal-defense-financing/
• NC Chamber Ag Leads launches the Farmer Innovation Bridge (North State Journal) — https://nsjonline.com/article/2026/10/nc-chambers-ag-leads-rolls-out-farmer-innovation-bridge-project/
• "Are You a Patriot?" by Donald Thompson and Bob Batchelor — https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Patriot-Xander-Hale/dp/B0HLTFC4S7
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason Gillikin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

Caterpillar is investing a billion dollars in Sanford, Raleigh-based Relay raises a $36 million funding round, and Wake County reports $1.5 billion in investment since last October. Plus, a podcast recommendation, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Take the BizBrief reader survey (win a $100 gift card) — https://app.youform.com/forms/6xyukibf
• Caterpillar's $1B Sanford expansion, "Project Paragon" (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/09/30/caterpillar-sanford-nc-expansion-jobs-incentives.html
• Relay raises $36M funding round (Axios Raleigh) — https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/09/30/relay-raises-usd36m-from-investors-to-fuel-its-growth-raleigh-smart-walkie-talkie
• Wake County's State of the County address (CBS17) — https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/wake-countys-growth-major-theme-of-this-years-state-of-the-county-address/
• Carl Warren steps down as NCRR president & CEO (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/north-carolina-railroad-co-begins-search-for-new-ceo/
• NC's August jobs report (North State Journal) — https://nsjonline.com/article/2026/09/nc-unemployment-rate-falls-to-3-5-in-august/
• NC State's new battery workforce lab (ABC11) — https://abc11.com/post/nc-state-opens-battery-makerspace-power-workforce-future/19888634/
• NC Main Street communities' 2025-26 investment report (Business NC) —https://caro.news/nc-main-street-program-adds-500m-2500-jobs/
• Durham's "Keep It Durham-Owned" campaign (INDY Week) — https://www.durhambusiness360.com/156/Keep-It-Durham-Owned
• Allstacks launches Code Engine — https://www.allstacks.com/product/product-studio
• Hersh Tapadia on "First Check, with Venture Capitalist Tim McLoughlin" (2021): https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EeMxNF6RxJW7DZkhsdxrZ
• Podcast recommendation: Retirement With Purpose, hosted by Trevor Lawson — https://open.spotify.com/show/0B1jf0qJed23lUjRrlVRqU
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

The WakeMed-Atrium Health combination clears a major hurdle, an electric aircraft company is eyeing North Carolina for a new manufacturing facility, and we're running down this year's GrepBeat Startups to Watch honorees. Plus, the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• City of Raleigh Expo and Job Fair, October 21 — https://raleighnc.gov/careers-jobs-and-volunteering/events/city-raleigh-expo-and-job-fair
• Durham Career Fair, October 29 — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/durham-career-fair-tickets-1983736042905
• Raleigh Job Fair, November 12 — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-job-fair-november-12-2026-raleigh-career-fairs-tickets-1853503221029
• WakeMed-Atrium Health combination clears Wake County approval — https://www.wake.gov/news/wake-county-commission-approves-legal-documents-move-wakemedatrium-health-strategic-combination-forward
• Beta Technologies eyes NC for new manufacturing facility (Axios Raleigh) — https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/09/23/beta-technologies-considers-large-expansion-in-north-carolina
• Duke Health & UNC Health expansion approvals (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/09/21/duke-health-garner-emergency-department-ncdhhs.html#new_tab
• MaKyra Wilson's tuberculosis research (The Carolina Newspaper) — https://caro.news/raleigh-native-achieves-scientific-first-in-tuberculosis-research/
• Chatham Park's new golf community (The News & Observer) — [link]
• EDPNC is hiring: Digital Marketing Manager — [link]
• Front Porch Venture Partners' Southeast Startup Founder Pulse Survey — [link]
• Founder Shares Podcast (Hutchison Law Firm) — https://www.hutchlaw.com/podcast
• The Growth Project, Episode 400 (AMPLOS) — [link]
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

Visit Raleigh's longtime CEO announces retirement, RDU buys a new office building to keep up with its growing staff, and North Carolina cracks the top 10 in the nation for innovation. Plus, a few thoughts on starting a podcast, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Visit Raleigh CEO Dennis Edwards to retire (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/visit-raleigh-ceo-edwards-announces-retirement-plans/
• RDU buys new office building near the airport (The News & Observer) — https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article317183132.html#new_tab
• Downtown Raleigh Alliance's 2026 State of Downtown awards — https://downtownraleigh.org/post/imprint-awards-2026
• Durham & Raleigh lead the nation in multifamily permitting (CRE Daily) — https://www.credaily.com/briefs/us-multifamily-permitting-shifts-toward-smaller-metros/
• NC backs 46 small businesses with tech grants (North State Journal) — https://nsjonline.com/article/2026/09/nc-companies-receive-grants-totaling-2-4m/
• Raleigh Chamber's Emerging Leaders fall cohort — https://www.raleighchamber.org/emerging-leaders.html
• NC ranks #9 in the nation for innovation (The Carolina Journal) — https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-ranks-among-top-10-states-for-innovation/
• Read Jason's full podcasting interview — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/business/how-to-start-a-podcast-with-jason-gillikin
• Triangle Content Creators Meetup — https://www.meetup.com/raleigh-podcasting-meetup-group/
• Launchpad's fall incubator cohorts (Greenville, Columbia, virtual) — https://launchpadtv.com/locations/virtual-worldwide-cohort
• Podcast recommendation: How to Wake Up Your Business — https://open.spotify.com/show/7gb29vQ4hZbXrx2VquUtto
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

Raleigh's startup support scene gets a spotlight with six local resources for founders, a former Kane Realty executive launches an AI consulting firm, and Corgan makes its first North Carolina acquisition. Plus, the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• 6 local resources for Triangle founders (ESOs) — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/business/6-triangle-organizations-helping-entrepreneurs-grow
• NC IDEA's Ecosysteming podcast, hosted by Thom Ruhe — https://www.youtube.com/@ncidea8471
• Raleigh Founded's free coworking day, September 15 — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-community-coworking-day-tickets-1999101070115
• Siemens Healthineers' $7.8M Morrisville land purchase (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/09/09/siemens-healthineers-buys-land-rdu-morrisville.html
• Bonner Gaylord launches Grounded Intelligence (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/09/08/bonner-gaylord-david-shaner-ai-cre-raleigh.html
• Labcorp acquires MLM Medical Labs — https://www.labcorp.com/education-events/press-releases/labcorp-acquires-mlm-medical-labs-expanding-global-central
• Corgan acquires Duda|Paine Architects (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/corgan-acquires-durham-based-dudapaine-architects/
• SteelFab's $22M Fayetteville expansion (Greater Fayetteville Business Journal) — https://bizfayetteville.com/manufacturing/2026/9/9/existing-steel-fabrication-manufacturer-announces-expansion-in-fayetteville-and-cumberland-county/5857#new_tab
• Durham ranks in WalletHub's Hispanic entrepreneurship study — https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-cities-for-hispanic-entrepreneurs/6491
• NC State's $20M AI education grant (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/nc-state-gets-20-million-to-advance-ai-research-for-k-12-students/
• NC's latest job growth numbers (The Carolina Journal) — https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion/carolina-job-growth-beats-national-trend/
• NCMA relaunches Corporate Membership + is hiring — https://ncartmuseum.org/corporate-support/
• Walk West is hiring: Fractional Director, Paid Media — https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4465057738/
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.

Durham's M&F Bancorp is merging to become the largest Black-owned bank in the country, two WakeMed executives are heading for the exits, and we'll tell you where Raleigh-area companies rank among North Carolina's largest private businesses. Plus, you can see Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Tomlin give a keynote later this month, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• M&F Bancorp merges with Optus Financial to become the largest Black-owned bank in the US (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/nc-trend-mf-bancorp-merges-with-bigger-s-c-bank/
• Johnson Brothers Mutual Distributing buys its Garner headquarters (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/09/01/johnson-brothers-distributing-buys-new-garner-hq.html#new_tab
• Two executive departures at WakeMed (Business NC) — https://businessnc.com/two-top-wakemed-leaders-leave-amid-merger-talks/
• Take the BizBrief job search quiz — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• USPTO opens community engagement office at NC State (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/08/27/uspto-opens-community-engagement-offce-ncstate.html#new_tab
• Business North Carolina's 2026 Private 125 list — https://businessnc.com/bnc-125-top-private-companies-2026/
• New office leases at The Exchange Raleigh (Dewitt Carolinas) — https://theexchangeraleigh.com/leasing/
• Vote: Coolest Thing Made in NC — https://coolestthingmadeinnc.com/
• Vote: The Borrow Bar's Startup Showdown pitch — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2oMZbTOw8Q
• Full events calendar — https://6amcity.com/nc/raleigh/events#/
• Office space listings (lease/sale) — BizBriefRaleigh.com
• NC Central Men's Basketball Tip-Off with Mike Tomlin, September 30 — https://www.nccutipoff.com/
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongillikin/

The BizBrief Podcast is produced by Walk West. To grow your brand through content creation and AI enablement, contact us at https://www.walkwest.com/bizbrief.