Who decides what opens downtown Raleigh, Duke's investment arm buys a Durham office building for nearly half what it sold for in 2015, and Wake County voters approve $149 million for Wake Tech. Plus, a free AI growth briefing for private equity-backed CEOs, and the events you need on your calendar this week.

Links

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Downtown Forward, Nov. 12 at the Transfer Co. ballroom (tickets) — https://www.ticketor.com/dra/findticket?EventId=370498
• DUMAC buys Erwin Square Plaza in Durham (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/11/02/erwin-square-office-sold-dumac-duke-university.html
• Wake County voters approve $149M in bonds for Wake Tech (The News & Observer) — https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article317834351.html
• Atlantic Union Bank's new Raleigh branches — https://www.atlanticunionbank.com/
• Beacon Pointe Advisors acquires ACT Wealth Management (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/11/04/beacon-pointe-acquires-act-wealth-management.html
• Constructing the Carolinas, with Turnbridge Equities' Jason Davis, hosted by Jed Byrne (produced by Walk West) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmd85irZDk
• Six Triangle climate startups at Raleigh-Durham Climate Week's Founder Skills social (GrepBeat) — https://grepbeat.com/2026/11/05/meet-the-six-startups-from-rdcws-climate-tech-showcase-social/
• Raleigh-Durham Climate Week: https://raleigh-durham.climate-week.org/
• North Carolina's projected nursing shortage (ABC11) — https://abc11.com/post/nursing-shortage-strains-north-carolina-workforce/19992292/
• Free briefing, Nov. 12: "Trust, Story, Revenue: The AI Growth Plan PE-Backed CEOs Are Missing" (register) — https://execbrandauthority.com/trust-story-revenue-ai-growth-plan/
• Pitch Please 2026 at Raleigh Founded, Nov. 12 — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pitch-please-2026-tickets-2003216782321
• 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.

A new biotech incubator at Parexel's Raleigh headquarters, strong quarterly earnings from three of North Carolina's biggest companies, and a $230 million manufacturing plant headed to Sanford. Plus, the events you need on your calendar this week, including Raleigh-Durham Climate Week.

Links & more

• Subscribe to BizBrief: https://6am.city/ralbizbrief
• Parexel launches the Parexel Biotech Incubator, with Cape Fear BioCapital (Parexel announcement): https://newsroom.parexel.com/news-releases/news-release-details/parexel-launches-parexel-biotech-incubator-connect-early-stage
• About the Parexel Biotech Incubator: https://www.parexel.com/about-us/parexel-biotech-incubator
• First Citizens BancShares third-quarter 2026 earnings: https://www.earningswhispers.com/epsdetails/FCNCA/202609
• IQVIA third-quarter 2026 results: https://www.iqvia.com/newsroom/2026/10/iqvia-reports-third-quarter-2026-results
• Labcorp third-quarter 2026 results: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/labcorp-reports-strong-2026-third-quarter-results-raises-full-year-2026-guidance-302921355.html
• DG Matrix expands at Morrisville's Southport Innovation Center (Triangle Business Journal) — [link]
• Bracco Imaging's $230M Sanford plant (Radiology Business): https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/medical-imaging/imaging-contrast/bracco-invest-230m-first-us-contrast-media-manufacturing-facility
• BuildOps lays off 11 in Raleigh (Triangle Business Journal) — https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/10/27/buildops-layoffs-raleigh-hub-construction-slowdown.html
• Downtown Raleigh Alliance's Q3 2026 market report — https://issuu.com/downtownraleighalliance/docs/state_of_downtown_raleigh_2026
• Pellucid Network (NC TECH member directory): https://ourmembers.nctech.org/directory/Details/pellucid-network-inc-4797948
• EDPNC is hiring a business development professional — https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/business-development-manager-at-economic-development-partnership-of-north-carolina-edpnc-4478736688/
• Big Spoon Roasters' Pistachio Crunch Almond Butter, sofi Gold Award finalist — https://www.specialtyfood.com/news-media/news-features/association-press-releases/2027-sofi-awards-finalists/
• Futuropolis robotics exhibit at Marbles Kids Museum — https://new.abb.com/news/detail/139890/marbles-kids-museum-and-abb-unveil-name-of-new-futuropolis-exhibit-robot-abby-designed-to-provide-hands-on-learning-and-career-exploration
• 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.

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.