Empowering Entrepreneurs with Partnership Driven Innovation

RIoT Labs launched in 2017 to provide unique resources to the startup community that are not available in typical coworking and startup incubator spaces across the US.

WRC is a nonprofit research organization with a focus on wireless technology. Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, WRC collaborates with clients globally to advance the development of innovative wireless solutions through its state-of-the-art testing, engineering, and product development services.

By utilizing WRC’s testing facilities and expertise, RIoT supports startups and companies to bring next-gen wireless technologies to market. Together, RIoT and WRC have created a strong ecosystem that nurtures emerging technologies and fosters growth and collaboration within the tech community.

Equipped with a skilled team, cutting-edge tools, and comprehensive facilities, WRC offers a wide range of research, development, engineering, and testing services specializing in antennas, RF technologies, and wireless systems to meet diverse client needs.

Working with WRC, you’ll gain access to:

• State-of-the-art anechoic chambers for precise RF testing
• Wireless and IoT device certification support
• Expert consultation from leading RF engineers

Whether you’re building connected devices, 5G innovations, or improving wireless performance, WRC empowers you to test, validate, and optimize your technology with confidence.

In February 2024, the City of Wilson, NC received grant funding to construct a high-tech agricultural laboratory facility. “The Source” is designed to help small and medium-sized growers, as well as entrepreneurs, enhance their operations by improving efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making. The new greenhouse facilities offer a dynamic, real-world environment where startups and innovators can explore and refine IoT, AI, and data analytics solutions for agriculture, accelerating innovation while minimizing risks.

Committed to fostering entrepreneurship, the Source serves as a hub for startups, corporations, researchers, and government organizations to collaborate, network, and form new partnerships, driving the growth of the agtech ecosystem.

At the Source, entrepreneurs can:

• Collect and analyze real-world data from advanced sensors in live agricultural settings
• Optimize resource use, such as water and energy, using AI-driven technology
• Experiment with autonomous farming equipment and connected devices to enhance productivity

With RIoT’s support, entrepreneurs can push the boundaries of precision agriculture, integrating smart farming techniques that make agriculture more sustainable and profitable. The Source provides a controlled environment for companies to safely develop, test, and scale their innovations, ensuring that their AgTech solutions are ready for market.

The Feasibility of Leveraging Specialty Crops and Agricultural Technology for the Small and Midsize Farmer in Eastern North Carolina

From January through December 2025, RIoT conducted a USDA-supported feasibility study to evaluate whether specialty crop production using smart agricultural technologies can be a viable opportunity for small and midsize farms in eastern North Carolina.

Drawing on market analysis, economic modeling, and direct input from growers, buyers, and supply-chain partners, the study addresses a critical question:

Can small and midsize farms leverage smart agriculture technologies to successfully expand into specialty crop markets?

The research focuses on a seven-county region—Edgecombe, Greene, Johnston, Nash, Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson counties—and provides practical, data-driven insights to support informed decisions about diversification, investment, and rural economic development.

Key Insights

The study finds strong market demand for locally grown specialty crops and identifies viable production pathways—from high tunnels to controlled environment agriculture—when aligned with the right crops, scale, and markets. It also highlights real challenges, including upfront capital costs, labor and management demands, food safety requirements, and infrastructure gaps, along with strategies to address them.

The full report provides a clear action framework for growers considering diversification, economic development organizations supporting rural innovation, and public-sector and philanthropic partners investing in resilient food systems.

RIoT is making this report publicly available to ensure farmers and regional partners can easily access the findings, learn from peer experiences across the region, and use the insights to inform decisions around diversification, investment, and next steps for their operations.