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The North Carolina startup economy has fared better than many people expected during the COVID-19 crisis, WRAL reported, citing interviews with leaders and investors in the area’s “entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Jason Widen, founding partner at HQ Raleigh, told WRAL for its May 18 report that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the state of startups.
Among HQ Raleigh’s 400 member companies, only a couple are in “dire” straits and a few have filed for rent deferments, Widen told WRAL.
“[I haven’t heard] of companies closing down, right and left,” he told the online outlet. “That hasn’t been the case. Obviously, some employees have been furloughed, and I’ve heard of people instituting cost-saving measures to be safe. Now, if you call me a month from now, that might change, maybe. But I’m cautiously optimistic.”
The station has launched a four-part series on startups and the signs are positive.
“Data shows that through every economic downturn, entrepreneurs are what bring us out,” Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA told WRAL.
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