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NC TECH Awards

Charlotte, N.C.September 16, 2026Press release

Build-A-Bookie named a 2026 Top Tech Startups to Watch winner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 16, 2026). Build-A-Bookie has been named a winner of the 2026 NC TECH Awards in Top Tech Startups to Watch. The category names ten North Carolina startups. The NC TECH Awards is North Carolina's only statewide technology awards program. It recognizes innovation, growth, and leadership in the tech sector and is presented by NC TECH, the North Carolina Technology Association.

Build-A-Bookie, based in Charlotte, is a book for whatever a crew already plays: golf, bowling, intramurals, or a custom book about anything. Operators build it on the website desk. Players bet on themselves and enter the score in the iOS and Android app, on the same account. That one score settles the line, moves the season rank, and writes the career best. It is for people who want to bet on the fun things and not lose their money. All the glory. None of the money.

“For over 20 years, NC TECH has celebrated companies, organizations and individuals for outstanding achievement at the NC TECH Awards. As a 2026 Top Tech Startups to Watch winner, Build-A-Bookie has distinguished itself as one of the state's innovative and emergent leaders,” said Michelle Calton, NC TECH's Interim CEO.

“It's exciting to see so much hard work be rewarded but it is one small step in a long journey ahead. Thank you to NC Tech for recognizing Build-A-Bookie and helping us grow in the NC community!” said Vincent Durham, founder.

About NC TECH

NC TECH is a not-for-profit, membership-driven trade association and the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina. Its mission is to foster growth and champion innovation in North Carolina's tech sector, while providing a voice for the tech community. Membership includes more than 700 companies, organizations, and institutions employing more than 250,000 workers in North Carolina.

About Build-A-Bookie

Build-A-Bookie keeps a season record and fake-money picks for friend leagues. Operators run the season on the website. Players enter scores in the app. Founded by Vincent Durham in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Media contacts

NC TECH: Alex Taylor, alex@nctech.org, 919.856.0393

Build-A-Bookie: Vincent Durham, vdurham@durhamappdesigns.com

The story

The aim is ESPN for the rest of us. A Saturday foursome, a Tuesday bowling league or a YMCA hoops team gets props, standings and a record that doesn't reset when the group chat does.

Build-A-Bookie is where the crew plays: everyone starts with a fake $1,000, picks props set from real stats, and one score settles the picks and moves the standings. Stats Quo is where it's proven: lifetime stats for amateur athletes, and a venue plan that puts that record on the wall at golf courses and bowling alleys.

Coverage

Boilerplate

Build-A-Bookie is a free website and app for picks, scores and standings for golf, bowling, team sports and game night. Every player starts each book with a fake $1,000. Its companion product, Stats Quo, keeps lifetime stats for amateur athletes and gives golf courses and bowling alleys the tools to run league night. Players never pay. No real money and no wagering.

Founded by Vincent Durham in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2026, NC TECH named Build-A-Bookie one of ten Top Tech Startups to Watch. Covered by GrepBeat.

Fact sheet

Products: Build-A-Bookie (free for players) · Stats Quo (lifetime stats, free for players; league tools for golf courses and bowling alleys)
Founder: Vincent Durham
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Category: Lifetime stats and picks between friends (no real money)
Aim: ESPN for the rest of us
Surfaces: Website · iOS and Android app · one account
Sports: Golf, bowling, team sports, game night
Currency: Fake dollars only. Every player starts each book with $1,000. No deposits, no payouts.
Award: 2026 NC TECH Top Tech Startups to Watch, one of ten winners
Site: build-a-bookie.com

Media FAQ

Is this gambling?
No. Everyone plays with a fake $1,000. There are no deposits, no withdrawals and no cash prizes. See Why there's no real money.
How is this different from DFS or sportsbooks?
Those products move real money against the house or a prize pool. We run private books for friends and leagues with fake dollars, settled by games the group actually plays.
Who creates the books?
Friends, league organizers, rec centers and venues. The website is built for big rosters and full seasons; the app is built for making picks and entering scores. Both share one account.
What should a story lead with?
The record: lifetime stats for amateur athletes through Stats Quo. Not a casino comparison.

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