NC Tech Innovation Index Reveals Wilmington’s Tech Chops

Wilmington is rapidly gaining prominence in the tech industry, and it’s an exciting up-and-coming player, even while being overshadowed by North Carolina’s larger cities. The recent annual Tech Innovation Index released by NC Tech showcases Wilmington’s impressive progress. It has climbed three places to the 51st spot in the national tech city rankings, a remarkable feat for a city with a relatively smaller population, ranking around 200th in size.

In state rankings, Wilmington consistently stands out in the top five, demonstrating its excellence in key metrics such as median tech job postings and business-funded research and development as a percentage of GDP. The Tech Innovation Index considers various factors, including the supply, demand, and innovation capacity of the tech ecosystem.

According to Ted Abernathy, an economic development consultant, Wilmington is indeed a rising star compared to its more extensive tech counterparts, such as the Research Triangle and Charlotte. Wilmington’s competitive edge lies in its strong supply of tech talent, making it a promising destination for tech businesses.

Wilmington also secures the fifth spot in the state on the tech innovation index, underscoring its thriving tech sector. This achievement places Wilmington’s tech economy ahead of cities with much larger populations, like Tucson, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida. While these accomplishments are impressive, the index also highlights the need for additional venture capital support to help local startups grow.

NC Tech CEO Brooks Raiford underscores that North Carolina, including Wilmington, is a tech hub in the making. It ranks ninth in the country for tech growth, and there’s enormous potential for Wilmington to shine on a national scale.

Read the original article on the Greater Wilmington Business Journal website.