Local Tech Wire 

N.C. fund is good news for state's tech entrepreneurs

New fund is being established for investment in North Carolina startup ventures. The money will be drawn from the state’s retirement fund.

Another 202 layoffs at IBM push latest count above 2,900

The job death count from Big Blue’s latest “resource action” continues to climb. Meanwhile, IBM also stops reporting its headcount for U.S. workers.

‘Social media is a beast’ – So how can your business tame it?

‘Old folks can do it too,’ says one attendee about Twitter, Facebook and other tools after Social Media and Your Business event. Key takeaways: Social media is both an opportunity and a risk; don’t be afraid, and be authentic.

Three Ships Media graphic on marketing integration

In tough climate, GSK dedicates plant to fight elephantiasis

Drug giant invests $300,000 in facility that will make the product worth $13.5 million that it donates to treat Lymphatic Filariasis. GSK says the plant represents “a significant scale up” of manufacturing geared to program.

GSK expands LF commitment

‘Who’s Cisco?’ New RTP site exec recalls a humble birth

As Cisco celebrates the 15th anniversary of its campus opening in the Triangle, new Ste Executive Joe Novak remembers when no one knew who Cisco was or what it did. Novak, one of Cisco’s first four employees in Raleigh, now oversees a 4,300 worker operation.

Joe Novak

Google, N.C.? UNC-CH, Carrboro, Chapel Hill want Google Net

Unlike in Topeka, however, town and university leaders haven’t renamed their communities after the search engine giant in preparing a bid for broadband test bed.

Google, N.C.?

Tweet this from Epic: Three more hints about Gears 3

Unreal Tournament 3, Unreal engine 3, and now triple tweets possibly about Gears 3 from Epic’s Cliffy B. The saga continues, but for how much longer?

Cliffy B tweets more hints about next Gears

‘The Daily Me’: You want your news mobile, instantly from several sources

New survey from Pew Research Center finds that more Americans (especially under age 50) want news catered to their interest on mobile devices. Plus, many of you want to participate through social media. However, the Net can be “overwhelming.”

Pew Survey Results

‘Gears 3’ rumors grow louder – Epic president dropping hints

“We might have a new one coming out,” Mike Capps says in interview with VentureBeat. Epic is focused on Gears empire, he adds. “E3 will be very exciting for fans of Epic.”

Intel-ligent boost for tech – Intel, VCs launch investment alliance

‘Invest in America’ effort also includes pledges from several high-tech firms to hire more college graduates. Intel CEO calls for a “clear, consistent strategy to promote innovation, investment and start-up companies. There are things business can do, and ought to do, independent of what government achieves.”

Intel CEO Paul Otellini

More Nortel bad news: British pension regulator files $3B claim

Telecommunications company is scheduled to auction off its VoIP unit this week as liquidation continues.

3D is a ‘game changer’ – What can it do for your business, your dreams?

The immersive worlds of education, entertainment, engineering and virtual reality are on the agenda at Local Tech Wire’s next event. Will you be there?

James Cameron's Avatar is a "game changer"

Secrets to Tekelec's success? The 'Patent Wall'

CEO Frank Plastina touts the company’s technical prowess and commitment to R&D while talking about Tekelec’s record year for profits. A focus on the “mobile IP core” for applications and services leads to sales and success in a world driven increasingly by mobile communications.

Tekelec's massive, growing "Patent Wall"

Secret is out – Japan’s Nagoya University wants business in RTP

At a day-long conference, representatives of the university and Japan-based businesses reach out for potential commercialization partners. “Something like this – making a splash – is the right thing to do,” says RTP tech transfer guru Karen LeVert.

EVE on display at Nu Tech event in RTP.

Gears of War 3 coming? EA discloses Epic game for 2011

Epic’s creative spirit “Cliffy B” Bleszinki has been promising “megaton face melting news.” Entertainment Arts says it will publish a “shooter” title by Epic, but the game’s title isn’t disclosed.

A new "Gears" shoot-em-up on the way?