The gBETA Charlotte Health Showcase: Why We're Joining Connect Labs
The founders are impressive. The mentors are generous. The ecosystem is growing. Something special is happening at The Pearl and Connect Labs by Wexford.
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of attending the gBETA Charlotte Health Spring 2026 Showcase. A few weeks earlier, I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor to several founders in the cohort. Thursday night's event was the culmination of their work with a chance to showcase their companies, share their vision, and present their progress to the Charlotte innovation community.
As someone who spends much of my time working with founders and growth-stage healthcare companies, evenings like this are incredibly energizing. The Spring 2026 cohort included entrepreneurs tackling some of healthcare's toughest challenges from AI-powered heart failure screening and specialty diagnostics to chronic wound care innovation and solutions designed to support working mothers.
I especially enjoyed reconnecting with Gregory Roberts of SKG Lifesciences and Erin Devine Martin of Pump For Joy. Two founders addressing very different healthcare problems, yet both demonstrating the perseverance, creativity, and commitment required to build something meaningful. What became clear throughout the program and again Thursday night, is that something special is happening at The Pearl and Connect Labs by Wexford.
The founders are impressive.
The mentors are generous.
The ecosystem is growing.
And the collaboration between entrepreneurs, healthcare leaders, researchers, investors, and operators is creating momentum that benefits everyone involved.
That realization has had a compounding effect on me personally.
Why We're Joining This Community
The more time I spend at The Pearl, the more convinced I become that this is a community 5 Stones Growth Systems wants to be deeply involved in. That's why I'm excited to share that we'll be joining the Connect Labs by Wexford community this July.
Not simply because it's a great workspace, but because it's becoming one of the most important gathering places for healthcare innovation in Charlotte.
Congratulations to the entire Spring 2026 gBETA Charlotte Health cohort. Thank you for allowing me to play a small role in your journey. I can't wait to see what comes next.