WRAL TechWire keeps tabs on the latest and greatest meetups, summits and conferences, workshops and all things happening in the North Carolina startup world. This is the fifth of our new weekly roundup of noteworthy upcoming events to add to your agenda.
This digest will focus on must-attend events happening in the next month, including an economic development forum, a LinkedIn strategies workshop, a few holiday parties, and more.
A second post previews hot events in January and February.
Monthly meetups that occur on a regular basis are listed in this separate post.
An online interactive calendar will be part of WRAL TechWire’s new website, which is set to launch soon. At that time, the weekly wrap-up of headliners also will include live links.
If you’d like to suggest an event to be added to the weekly roundup, send me an email at shannoncuthrell@gmail.com.
Let’s start with the headliners:
November 28, 8:30-10 a.m. @The Frontier
The latest in RTP’s series of free community workshops focuses on the topic, “The Athlete Advantage: Transferable Skills for the Competitive Business World.” The course will guide participants through the top three athletic skills that could easily apply to mapping a successful business strategy. The workshop will by led by Meg Foley and Katharine Leslie, co-owners of the coaching and training provider OPTHRIVE.
November 29, 9-10 a.m. @The Frontier
The next 1 Million Cups event, put on by The Research Triangle Park in partnership with Kauffman Labs, will feature Raleigh startup VitalFlo, which is developing a medical device and health management app for asthma patients.
November 29, 5:30-7 p.m. @Advent Coworking
Those unacquainted with the Queen City startup scene are invited to attend a free orientation to the community presented by StartCharlotte. The event will offer attendees introductions and networking, along with connections to local resources, events, companies, programs, investors, and more. Food and drinks will be provided.
November 30, 8:15-11 a.m. @UNC Charlotte Center City
The CEO of Charlotte-headquartered NewDominion Bank has successfully revitalized the business after a period of post-recession lags. Now, NewDominion stands as the second largest bank in Charlotte. Hear from Blaine Jackson about his experience guiding the bank through a tough pivot in its journey. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Charlotte business leaders and stakeholders. Tickets are free for BIG members and University of North Carolina at Charlotte faculty and staff. Non-member tickets cost $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
November 30, 4:30-6:30 p.m. @UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Consumer product entrepreneurs in Wilmington are invited to join together with American Underground Chief Strategist Adam Klein for an evening to meet with one another and hear about AU’s Startup Stampede program. A presentation will highlight how entrepreneurs can get involved in the Startup Stampede consumer product incubator next year. The event will offer beer, wine and other beverages. It is free and open to the public.
November 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. @Advent Coworking in Charlotte
Tech Talent South and GEMZ Community Development Corporation are hosting a free community discussion event in which members of the Charlotte tech scene are invited to come together and discuss ways to further diversify the local innovation economy. The discussion will center around opening more access to tech jobs for minorities and women in tech, and how to provide more resources to underrepresented communities interested in learning technology skills and entering careers in the field.
December 4, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. @RTP Foundation
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is offering local innovators and entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet in person with SBIR/STTR federal agency representatives to learn about how project applications can be considered, what other funding opportunities they should look into, and the difference between grant and contract funding. Tickets are $85 per attendee.
December 5, 7:30-10:30 a.m. @Flywheel Coworking
Held the first Tuesday of every month, this breakfast meetup series will include live demos from tech entrepreneurs in the Triad area. The startup presentations are largely centered around hardware and software technology, infused with data-driven solutions. This is a free gathering for Winston-Salem and Triad innovators, designers and developers within the tech field.
December 5, 8:30-10 a.m. @The Frontier
Focused around the potential for email marketing to drive the “building blocks for success,” this iteration of Research Triangle Park’s community workshop series will guide attendees through the process of building successful email campaigns to build brand awareness and generate more revenue for their ventures. The free workshop will be led by iContact Manager of Strategic Services Hank Hoffmeier, who has over 18 years of experience in building successful sales and marketing strategies. Attendees will be provided with coffee and donuts.
December 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Raleigh Convention Center
Leadership Triangle is holding an upcoming one-day conference in line with its 25-year anniversary. The THRIVE Leadership Summit aims to offer new and helpful strategies and insights for local leaders, and will feature workshops and networking along with presentations from more than 30 speakers. Keynotes include successful business leaders such as Chris Weatherly of Capitol Broadcasting Company and Cynthia Marshall of Marshalling Resources, among others. An Awards Gala will be held after the summit to celebrate inspiring leaders in the Triangle.
December 5, 11:30 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. @Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel
Advancing innovation in education, talent recruitment, business, infrastructure and entrepreneurship will be the focus of this year’s “Future Of North Carolina” event held by the North Carolina Chamber. The forum will examine how innovative practices can answer some of the challenges and questions raised by major population expansions in North Carolina in the years to come.
December 6, 4-6 p.m. @Bond Brothers Beer Company in Cary
Local entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders in the cleantech industry are invited to a fun holiday networking event hosted by the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster. The event is being held to spotlight the successes of the cleantech sector this year while offering an opportunity for locals in the field to connect with one another over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The event is free for RTCC members and $20 for non-members.
December 9, 8-10 a.m. @Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh
The North Carolina Bar Association is hosting an upcoming holiday-themed 5k, donating all proceeds to the pro bono legal services provider, North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program, which serves low-wealth entrepreneurs in helping build their businesses. Organizers invite the local community to join the 5k in support of a larger mission to boost statewide economic and employment outcomes by helping break the poverty cycle for North Carolina citizens. After the race, there will be food trucks and entertainment, along with prizes for the ugliest sweater.
December 12, 8-9:30 a.m. @The Frontier
Learn the ins and outs of how to use LinkedIn to generate leads, reach more customers and find future employees at this community workshop hosted at The Frontier in RTP. The lesson will be led by Chuck Hester (https://www.chuckhester.com/), a marketing executive and expert on LinkedIn and its use in branding strategies. Tickets cost $100.
December 12, 12-1:15 p.m. @The Frontier
This month’s “Branding with Annie” workshop will guide entrepreneurs and small business owners through the process of creating a client-focused branding strategy that’s fitting for their operation. The host, Annie Franceschi of Greatest Story Creative, will share best practices on how to attract and retain clients using proven strategies. Tickets are free.
December 12, 6-9 p.m. @Archie Davis Conference Center
Expect networking, food, drinks, music, games, prizes and more at the upcoming annual Startup Grind Triangle end-of-the-year party. This year’s event is adding a new feature—Startup Grind will be presenting a special showcase to celebrate local startups and their success. Entrance to the party is free of charge.
December 13, 8-9:30 a.m. @The Garage at Packard Place
Four Queen City-based companies will headline December’s Charlotte PitchBreakfast, pitching their products and services for a total of five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of entrepreneurs and experts. The goal of PitchBreakfast is to give startups a comfortable environment to test out pitches they can later present to investors.
December 19, 6-8 p.m. @The Armory
Join American Underground members, elected officials and the local entrepreneurial community at-large for a fun end-of-the-year party to celebrate 2017’s greatest accomplishments. During this time, American Underground will also present the results of its latest Annual Report. The event will offer local food, drinks and music. Tickets are $10.
December 21, 8-10 a.m. @RTP Headquarters
This month’s TechBreakfast will feature Hologruf Co-Founder and CEO Ted Meng and Fluree Co- CEO and Co-Chairman Brian Platz. After some networking over food and coffee, these entrepreneurs will share some of their startup experiences with the audience.
