September 2025

21 Charlotte’s entrepreneurial eco- system is buzzing with inge- nuity—from fintech pioneers redefining global banking to homegrown services reshap- ing neighborhood life. Here’s a look at local startups driving real-world impact and how you can connect with their journeys. Fastbreak.ai: Smart Schedules for Sports Leagues Imagine a sports league auto- generated to optimize fairness, viewership, and travel. That’s Fastbreak.ai, a Charlotte-based startup harnessing artificial intel - ligence to schedule matchups for teams while balancing logistics and exposure. With $5.2 million in funding—including backing from NBA Equity—the company has already earned a place in pro and college league operations. This tool doesn’t just simplify scheduling; it elevates competi- tion quality and helps keep play- ers healthy. Charlotte’s leap into sports tech is led by companies like Fastbreak.ai. Fintech Titans: AvidXchange, Oyster & Tresata Charlotte has long been known as a financial hub—but now it’s also a fin - tech powerhouse: Av i d X c h a n g e streamlines in- voice and payment processes for mid- sized enterprises. Oyster enables seamless glob- al hiring and compliant payroll for remote teams. Tresata, the city’s only fintech “unicorn,” lever - ages enterprise-level AI analytics with a valua- tion exceeding $1 billion. These companies aren’t just changing Charlotte’s iden- tity—they’re global innova- tors from right here at home. Craftwork: Painting a Modern, Locally Rooted Business Crafting color and code, Craftwork offers homeown - ers instant online paint- ing quotes and streamlined scheduling. Founded in 2023, this digital-first paint - ing service secured $7 million in SeriesAfunding and remains firm - ly Charlotte-based, eyeing growth through local hiring and expansion. This blend of tech and trades shows that high-tech startups aren’t the only path to innovation. JUMP Transit: Sustainable Mi- cro-Mobility Making Charlotte more connected (and greener), JUMP Transit of - fers flat-rate, all-electric rides be - tween neighborhoods like Plaza Midwood and NoDa—just $3 per trip or $7 per day. The startup has seen explosive growth over 50% between April and May, rewriting urban transit while helping reduce carbon emissions. Epic Padel: Bringing a New Sport to Town A platform is forming—not for startups, but new court sports. Epic Padel will open its first Char - lotte location with five outdoor padel courts, next-door pickle- ball, gym services, and commu- nity integration. Scheduled to launch this September, it’s a fresh way to stay active and socialize. Charlotte’s startup story is being written now—but it’s not a solo act. By using these services, sup- porting founders, and spreading the word, we all help shape a city where creativity meets opportu- nity. Do You Know Any Entreprenuers You Would Like To Shout Out?