For the last seven years, Wilmington has seen considerable growth in the industry thanks in no small part to startups finding success. While the Raleigh research triangle dominates a lot of North Carolina’s tech talk, Wilmington has a startup scene with its own merit. Wilmington has also consistently ranked among North Carolina cities in INC.’s fastest-growing companies list. Here are 7 businesses expanding beyond Wilmington, helping to put our port city on the map:

nCino

nCino isn’t the world’s first cloud banking software system, but it is becoming one of the most well-known. Founded and headquartered in Wilmington in 2011, its customers include TD Bank, Truist Bank and Santander Bank and strategic partners such as Deloitte Digital. In 2017, nCino opened its first international office in London with offices to follow in Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and more. 

Half United

Carmin Black wants to end world hunger with her one-for-one business model. With a background in fashion, she designed a line of jewelry, clothing and other accessories made by artisans in developing communities and sold in the states. The profits pay the artisans and also fund school meal programs to feed undernourished children. Half United can be found online and through national retailers like Nordstrom. 

Live Oak Bank

When Live Oak Bank launched the company initially aimed to provide loans for niche industries like dentists and veterinarians. As the company grew, its small business loan reach grew too. By 2020, Live Oak Bank was named the top SBA and USDA lender by dollar volume. Live Oak banks with businesses across all 50 states.

MyEmployees

This company out of Castle Hayne has seen considerable growth for years now. Companies love their all-in-one employee rewards program that offers up trophies and display awards all easily found on an app. MyEmployees has served more than 80,000 companies across the country. 

Topsail Steamer

With buckets of seafood, corn, sausage, and potatoes, Topsail Steamer has brought the seafood boil to homes all along the coast. What started in 2017 on Topsail Island expanded quickly to nearby Wrightsville Beach and then to six locations total in North Carolina. From there, Topsail Steamer added locations in New Jersey and Delaware. 

N. Sea Oyster Co.

Someone in California right now is likely biting into a Topsail oyster, all thanks to N. Sea Oyster Co. Founded in 2018, N. Sea Oyster Co. has an oyster farming operation in the Intracoastal Waterway that has expanded in size each year. More importantly, this company has expanded in reputation — other regions of the U.S. are eager to get their hands on these special Topsail oysters with their unique salinity levels and flavor profile. 

Tama Tea

UNCW grads Rocco Quaranto and Kelly and Wells Struble came together to start a tea and coffee shop that quickly outgrew its space. Eventually, Tama Tea would add locations in North Carolina before closing to focus on a line of canned green teas. The canned specialty teas are sold across parts of the U.S. and in major retailers like CVS and Whole Foods. 

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