Truist

Apiture, Inc. is a financial technology company that specializes in developing digital banking solutions for banks and credit unions across the United States. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, with an additional office in Austin, Texas, Apiture offers products such as Apiture Open, which facilitates account openings for checking, savings, CDs, and loans, and Apiture Xpress, an integrated digital banking solution for both consumer and business account holders. The company focuses on empowering financial institutions by providing a flexible platform that combines consumer and business banking, account opening, and data intelligence. Through its innovative approach, Apiture aims to enhance the capabilities of its clients, enabling them to serve their customers effectively while maintaining the personalized touch of community banks at a larger scale. Apiture operates as a subsidiary of First Data Corporation and has formed a strategic alliance with DefenseStorm, Inc.

The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, has been a vital resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners since its establishment in 1987. As the largest small-business incubator in the state, it offers a range of services including affordable office space, strategic planning, marketing strategy, goal setting, and financial modeling. The center focuses on helping entrepreneurs transform their business concepts into sustainable companies, with a notable emphasis on supporting minority and women-led business enterprises. Approximately 78% of the businesses that have participated in the center's programs remain operational after five years, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing small business failures and fostering long-term success.