From Tech Layoffs to Charlotte Startups: Why Now Is the Time for Bold Business Moves

Charlotte’s Uptown skyline at sunrise — a city where innovation, finance, and opportunity converge. Image Credit: Andres Niño via Pexels

By Mitchell Coles | Strategic Real Estate & Business Leader | Community Builder | Advocate for Innovation

📅 June 6, 2025

Layoffs are shaking the tech world — but in Charlotte, we're watching a different kind of shake-up: innovation.

In 2024, more than 150,000 tech professionals lost their jobs, according to Layoffs.fyi. Major players like Microsoft, Nike, and Wayfair slashed entire tech divisions, shifting resources toward AI and automation. In just the first few months of 2025, over 22,000 more tech workers have joined the ranks of the unemployed.

While headlines may focus on the job losses, here's what deserves even more attention: a wave of highly skilled professionals launching startups, side hustles, and next-gen ventures — not out of luxury, but necessity.

💡 Welcome to the era of the "necessity entrepreneur."

Peter Rowan, executive director of Seattle University's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, says, “There’s a very large population of necessity entrepreneurs with strong skills, trained by the best tech companies in town. And they go off and start something.”

That sentiment isn't limited to the West Coast. Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, we’re seeing our own entrepreneurial boom. And it’s not just about survival — it’s about reinvention.

Charlotte’s Business Scene Is Buzzing

Ally Financials' headquarters in Uptown Charlotte, where interest in tech roles has surged fivefold amid national layoffs.

Charlotte’s strong financial, tech, and real estate sectors — along with a lower cost of living compared to cities like Seattle or San Francisco — make it a prime landing zone for displaced tech talent and aspiring founders. We’re seeing:

✅ Surging startup activity across fintech, real estate tech, digital marketing, and cloud solutions

✅ Increased demand for co-working spaces, accelerators, and mentorship programs

✅ Cross-sector collaborations between finance, tech, and real estate

✅ A growing number of freelancers and consultants offering niche expertise in cybersecurity, AI integration, and cloud computing

Just look at Ally Financial Group — headquartered in Charlotte — which reports receiving 5x more applications per tech opening than in past years. Their focus on roles in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud positions Charlotte as a hub for digital transformation.

Laid-off workers are building again — this time on their own terms.

Why This Matters to Entrepreneurs & Investors

For business leaders, this is the moment to:

Invest in people: Talented individuals are looking to plug into ventures where they can apply their expertise.

Scale wisely: Real estate investors, tech founders, and restaurateurs (like myself) are pivoting to meet new demand — whether that’s through smart property acquisitions, new service offerings, or strategic hiring.

Build community: Entrepreneurs thrive in ecosystems that offer support, access to funding, and honest collaboration. The City of Charlotte is becoming that ecosystem — but only if we keep feeding it.

Sharing insights on real estate, entrepreneurship, and building meaningful connections at an Arbol Eatery community event in Uptown Charlotte. Photo by Eureka Studio Charlotte

My Challenge to You

If you’re a corporate leader, open your door to a laid-off software engineer looking to consult. If you’re an investor, look beyond the pitch deck to the person. And if you’re sitting on a business idea, now is your time to act.

Charlotte doesn’t just need more companies.

Charlotte needs more visionaries, builders, and brave minds willing to turn a career disruption into a legacy.

Charlotte needs visionaries. Let’s build together. Photo created by Mitchell Coles using AI via Freepik (Commercial Use - Paid License)

Let’s Build Together

As someone who has launched businesses in both hospitality and real estate, I’ve seen firsthand how adversity can give rise to innovation. Whether it’s supporting local entrepreneurs, mentoring returning citizens through reintegration programs, or investing in promising real estate deals, I believe in building futures that weren’t supposed to happen.

If you’re pivoting, starting over, or trying to scale — I want to connect. Let’s grow together. Let’s build Charlotte stronger.

📩 DM me or comment below to share your story, get resources, or explore collaboration opportunities.

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