The Startup Factory

SnapYeti Inc. is a North Carolina-based company that provides a platform for users to share photos while competing for prizes and promoting meaningful causes. Launched in 2013 and headquartered in Raleigh, SnapYeti allows individuals to engage with the platform for free, rewarding them for sharing their snaps. For businesses, SnapYeti offers a unique opportunity to incentivize customers to promote their brands through personal photo sharing, leveraging the power of word-of-mouth recommendations among friends and family. This approach capitalizes on the fact that a significant majority of consumers trust brand endorsements from their social circles over traditional marketing methods. Through initiatives like Snapfest, businesses can encourage their customers to showcase their affinity for products or services, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.

Bring Me That is a technology platform that facilitates online food ordering from a wide range of delivery restaurants throughout the United States, including those without their own online ordering systems. This innovative service addresses a significant gap in the market, as over 100,000 delivery restaurants do not offer online ordering. Currently, Bring Me That enables customers to order from more than 40,000 restaurants across all 50 states, with plans to expand access to nearly 100,000 restaurants. The platform allows users to select from local dining options and provides a seamless delivery experience, complete with secure payment methods, thereby enhancing convenience and efficiency in food ordering.

PopUp, Inc. is a North Carolina-based company founded in 2012 that has developed a location-based social communication application for iPhone. The PopUp app allows users to leave messages, such as jokes, tips, reviews, and updates, tied to specific physical locations. As users move through their day, they receive relevant information from friends and trusted brands directly on their phones, rather than through a traditional timeline. Additionally, users can create their own popups to share insights with their followers, enhancing the discovery of local information. The platform empowers individuals, brands, and content publishers to connect with their audiences by delivering context-rich content at designated locations, making it easier to engage with the environment around them.

Bring Me That is a technology platform that facilitates online food ordering from a wide range of delivery restaurants throughout the United States, including those without their own online ordering systems. This innovative service addresses a significant gap in the market, as over 100,000 delivery restaurants do not offer online ordering. Currently, Bring Me That enables customers to order from more than 40,000 restaurants across all 50 states, with plans to expand access to nearly 100,000 restaurants. The platform allows users to select from local dining options and provides a seamless delivery experience, complete with secure payment methods, thereby enhancing convenience and efficiency in food ordering.

TabSprint Inc., based in Durham, North Carolina, develops a mobile application aimed at enhancing the payment process in bars, clubs, and restaurants. The app allows users to order drinks and pay swiftly using their mobile wallets, eliminating the need for traditional tab management at point-of-sale devices. This results in faster service and reduced transaction overhead. Additionally, TabSprint provides information on local drink specials, full bar menus, and prices. The application is currently available in select venues within the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area.

Taggs, Inc. is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based company that operates a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform focused on visual content marketing analytics. The platform provides clients with tools for data collection, cross-platform comparisons, and industry benchmarking, which help brands and agencies enhance their social media engagement. By utilizing advanced analytics and machine learning, Taggs enables businesses to analyze their visual content in real time, ensuring that their advertising strategies remain aligned with current trends and achieve maximum engagement. Notable clients include ALDO, Tommy Hilfiger, Lancome, and Avon.

TabSprint Inc., based in Durham, North Carolina, develops a mobile application aimed at enhancing the payment process in bars, clubs, and restaurants. The app allows users to order drinks and pay swiftly using their mobile wallets, eliminating the need for traditional tab management at point-of-sale devices. This results in faster service and reduced transaction overhead. Additionally, TabSprint provides information on local drink specials, full bar menus, and prices. The application is currently available in select venues within the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area.

Alekto Corporation, founded in 2012 and based in Durham, North Carolina, specializes in managing consumer transactions and credit scores through its innovative transaction management system. The company addresses the prevalent issue of erroneous credit reporting, which can lead to significant financial losses for consumers. By offering a patent-pending service that ensures accurate credit report updates, Alekto helps individuals avoid the complications and costs associated with correcting credit errors after they occur. The company’s focus on preventing credit reporting mistakes empowers consumers to achieve better loan rates and access essential services like credit, housing, and employment, thereby enhancing their financial well-being.

Founded in 2012, Able Device specializes in reducing complexity and costs for developers of embedded wireless applications. Its patented SIMbae technology enables purpose-built machines like utility meters and security systems to embed and execute remote monitoring apps on mobile operators' SIM cards instead of external CPUs.

Offline is an urban lifestyle platform that curates daily events and experiences in cities worldwide. It helps users discover and engage with their city's offerings, fostering a deeper connection to local culture and community.

Ruzuku, Inc. is an online software company based in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 2012. It offers a platform designed for authors, coaches, speakers, and consultants to create, host, and sell online courses and coaching programs. The platform enables users to develop engaging learning experiences and fosters the creation of activity-based learning communities. Ruzuku focuses on providing easy-to-use technology that facilitates the sharing of knowledge and enhances learning efficiency for everyday users. By allowing individuals to engage with invited participants, Ruzuku helps clients expand their businesses and improve their educational outreach.

Entasso, Inc. is a talent market platform based in Durham, North Carolina, established in 2011. The company specializes in job search services, aiming to connect recent college graduates with entry-level positions. Through various interactive tools such as games and quizzes, Entasso allows users to showcase their skills, interests, personality, and preferences. This innovative approach helps employers articulate their hiring needs, including cultural fit and specific skills, while matching them with candidates who demonstrate the desired qualities. By facilitating ongoing relationships between employers and well-suited candidates, Entasso streamlines the hiring process, reducing the challenges associated with traditional job boards and applicant tracking systems.