Introducing Triangle Tweener Community Hub, Two New Tweener Team Members and Tweener Talks: Robbie Allen
A new pod, launching our community hub and two new team members!
We’ve been working hard here in Tweener land and today we have a lot of great news to fill you in on. But first….
The Tweener Times is sponsored by:
EisnerAmper (formerly HPG) - One of the world’s largest business consulting firms, with a dedicated technology practice offering outsourcing, accounting, tax, and advisory services. Our experienced professionals serve more than 2,000 technology companies, from early-stage startups to public enterprises. Discover how EisnerAmper’s stage-specific solutions and industry expertise can help you achieve your milestones whether startup, international expansion, M&A, or IPO: eisneramper.com/tech.
Robinson Bradshaw - A full-service business law firm with a passion for supporting the Triangle entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn more about Robinson Bradshaw’s startups and venture capital practice here.
Smashing Boxes - A Durham based lean design-centric digital transformation company.
Bank of America – BofA’s Transformative Technology Group helps game-changing tech businesses and founders realize their boldest ambitions across a wide range of technology sectors. With hands-on support, world-class resources, and an extensive network – BofA provides the stability and scalability that tech companies need to rapidly grow today and into the future.
Robbie Allen on the Triangle Tweener Talks Pod
One of the most interesting and successful entrepreneurs in the Triangle is Robbie Allen. I first met him when he was trapped in Cisco (😀) as a distinguished engineer. He broke free of those corporate chains, started his first business, did the first GenAI startup in the Triangle (maybe the world?) in like 2012 and has been off to the races since then.
When I was contemplating launching the Tweener Fund, he was the first call to invest and joined shortly after launch. Then when I realized I had a bit of a tiger by the tail and was in way over my head, he immediately said ‘I’m in’ and has been a huge driver in getting us to where we are as co-GP.
The other thing I love about Robbie is he comes from a humble start -he’s from Greensboro. But, even with all his success he hasn’t changed a bit.
Listen to the Robbie Pod
The Pod is avaialble on all your favorite podcast app here. (subs and reviews always appreciated)
Listen directly from this post/email here:
Or you can watch the video here: (be sure to subscribe)
Announcing the Triangle Tweener Community Hub
Today we are releasing the Tweener Community Hub. Robbie and I meet with hundreds of people a year that are excited and activated by the Triangle’s startup scene. Some have moved here, some are from here looking for new jobs, some are escaping corporate America, some are recent grads or out of academia.
Regardless of origin, they all share one thing in common - they are looking for ways to get integrated and connected. They want to know about all the startups, the founders, the mentors, the angel investors, the lawyers, accountants, recruiters and so on.
The need was obvious - someone should put all of this together in an ‘always on’, current, maintained and easy to understand and navigate resource.
BOOM! The Tweener Hub was born. You can always access the hub at the top of the Tweener Times, but also we have a handy shortcut at: https://www.tweenerhub.com
Also, the Calendar that we started in these posts, has moved there and is much much better cooler and awesome-er!
Tweener Community Hub Features
The Tweener Community Hub features include:
Calendar - A platform featuring up-to-date startup and tech events throughout the Triangle, with a subscription option.
Co-Working - A guide to local startup-friendly co-working facilities.
Job Board - A dynamic Triangle startup Job Board featuring startup job openings to connect job seekers with emerging companies.
Startup Services - An expansive collection of service providers supporting
startups, ranging from accounting and banking to coaching and everything in
between.
Funding Options – Detailed insights into diverse funding options, including equity
investments, debt financing, grants, and other funding sources.
Universities – In-depth profiles of local universities, highlighting their startup and
entrepreneurship resources, programs, and support for students, alumni, and
regional entrepreneurs.
Those are the highlights, there’s much much more…
Do you have feedback, did we miss something? Contact@tweenerfund.com
Welcome: Nikita Ramaswamy: Partner!
We’re also excited to welcome Nikita Ramaswamy as a Partner. Nikita was previously an attorney at Cooley LLP where she advised high-growth emerging companies and venture capital funds. Her work focused on guiding companies and investors through financing transactions and other strategic matters. Nikita's career spans multiple jurisdictions, including India, New York, and Silicon Valley. She received her Master of Law degree from Columbia University, her Masters in Corporate Law from the University of Cambridge, and her law degree from Gujarat National Law University.
Nikita will focus on core strategic initiatives for the Tweener Fund, including deal sourcing, portfolio support and fundraising as well as managing Tweener Funds’ relationships with strategic partners across the country. Her role will be critical to accelerate the fund's mission of establishing the Triangle as one of the leading technology hubs in the country.
“I am excited to join the Tweener Fund during such a transformative time for the Triangle's entrepreneurial ecosystem. I look forward to collaborating with our portfolio companies and leveraging my experience to expand our collective impact in the Triangle region and beyond. We are committed to building a dynamic, forward-thinking investment platform that empowers entrepreneurs and drives innovation in the Triangle.”
Welcome: Rebecca Ross: Startup Ecosystem Manager!
Rebecca Ross has joined the Tweener Fund as Startup Ecosystem Manager. She holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from NC State University, specializing in Graphic Communications and Industrial Design, respectively. Rebecca’s professional experience includes serving as a Creative Services Specialist for NC State’s College of Engineering, a Production and Design Manager at Clean E (focused on EV chargers), and co-owning her design company, Envzn. In addition, she has played a pivotal role in coordinating the Triangle’s response to Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina. She supports recovery efforts through the Western Carolina Emergency Network (WCEN).
In her new role, Rebecca will focus on expanding the Tweener Fund’s content initiatives, including the Tweener Times newsletter, the Tweener Talks podcast, and the newly launched Tweener Community Hub. She will also actively manage social media and shape the Tweener Fund’s new 2025 event offerings.
“Joining the Tweener Fund feels like stepping into the heart of the Triangle’s startup community, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Rebecca expressed. “This role lets me use my creativity to support amazing work across the region while continuing to learn from such a dynamic group of entrepreneurs and innovators. I’m eager to help grow the Fund’s impact and be part of shaping the future of our ecosystem.”
Thank YOU 🫵 !
These new resources are all thanks to you our Tweener Times subscribers and Tweener Fund investors (LPs). The whole idea of ‘for the community by the community’ means we take all of the $ from sponsorships and paid subscribers and are putting it 100% back into supporting this economy. We hope you enjoy the Tweener Community Hub, the Robbie pod and that you’re able to meet Nikita and Rebecca at our upcoming events.
If you like what you’re doing, here’s a gentle reminder to: