Press

Press room

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 virtual-currency side bets 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

Stat tracking, and what's next

The aim is ESPN for the commoner. Not a network. An intramural team, a Tuesday bowling league, or a Saturday foursome gets a card, a line, and a table that does not reset when the group chat does.

Walk into a golf clubhouse and know you are in the top 20 this season. Bowl your best night and have it remembered: high game, series, the week it happened. Bet on yourself. The stake is pride, rank, and net among people who already play together.

One score updates the open line, the season standings, and the lifetime log. Next is the crew still living in a spreadsheet, and the course or alley that already runs the night, with a record people can walk in and read.

Coverage

Boilerplate

Build-A-Bookie keeps a season record and virtual-currency side bets for friend leagues, intramural nights, and member golf and bowling. Operators run the season on the website. Players enter scores in the app. No real-money 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

Product: Build-A-Bookie
Founder: Vincent Durham
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Category: Lifetime stats and friend-league books (virtual currency)
Aim: ESPN for the commoner
Surfaces: Website desk + public site · iOS / Android app · same data
Sports: Golf, bowling, team sports, custom weekends
Currency: Virtual balances only. Pride, rank, net.
Award: 2026 NC TECH Top Tech Startups to Watch, one of ten winners
Site: build-a-bookie.com

Brand assets

Prefer the full name "Build-A-Bookie" on first mention; "BAB" only after. Turf green and chalk cream, not neon casino.

Logo PNG

App icon PNG

NC TECH badge

Media FAQ

Is this gambling?
No. There is no deposit, no withdrawal, and no cash prize. Balances are in-product only. 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 friend books with virtual stakes and settlement tied to games the group actually plays.
Who creates the books?
Friends and league operators. The website desk is built for big rosters and seasons; the app is built for placing picks and entering scores.
What should a story lead with?
The record section above, not a casino comparison.

Also see

Need more?

Send your outlet, deadline, and angle. We answer press questions promptly.

Email press General contact