Editor’s note: Thom Ruhe is CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation.TechWire features Thom and NC IDEA as this week’s Startup Spotlight 

Startup Spotlight is a regular part of WRAL TechWire’s Startup Monday report featuring our Startup Guide, calendars of events, a guide to Triangle meetups and a recap of recent startup/entrepreneurial news. 

DURHAM – In 1967, a certain band from Liverpool England released an album titled, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album received great critical acclaim and was decreed by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best album of all time. Being only one year old when the album dropped, it would be several more years before I would affirm the musical talents of these shaggy ragamuffins from across the pond.

The album is a source of legends and lore but the story I particularly appreciate is the gesture of comradery amongst the bandmates to write With a Little Help From My Friends; providing Ringo Starr with his only lead vocals on the seminal album. Those of you familiar with The Beatles would understand why Ringo was relegated to the drums instead of a microphone. But the Fab Three (of Four) wanted to make a public gesture of support for their friend, so they set to the task of writing a song that would work for Ringo’s unique key. Of the many great songs on the album, I will confess to this one as being my favorite; not for artistry but for the intent and gesture of support that inspired it.

Why am I writing about a 50+ year old album you may ask? For one thing, my brain works in mysterious ways but that notwithstanding, recently we were Ringo Starr and our friends at the Research Triangle Foundation said, let’s do something great together.

To that end, they made a significant financial commitment in our work to promote equitable economic development and opportunity for underserved groups across the state. With this community investment, they demonstrated that increasing economic opportunity beyond the renowned Research Triangle Park is in everyone’s best interest. They also made a bold public statement that diversity and equity are values of their organization. And with that shared value, we look forward to making much beautiful music together for years to come.

Stretching this metaphor ever more, let me conclude by saying a band of two is a duo. Before we can legitimately call ourselves a band, we need to recruit a few more musicians. The good news is that the audition process is painless, fun and incredibly rewarding. Please let me know if you would like to join the band. And just maybe, if the organizations with the capacity and values are inspired to join this effort, we can jump over the moniker of band and aspire to become an orchestra.

By the way, Joe Cocker, IMHO, did a noteworthy interpretation of the song as well.

(C) NC IDEA