WRAL TechWire keeps tabs on the latest and greatest meetups, summits and conferences, workshops and all things happening in the North Carolina startup world.

“The Headliners” is a two-part weekly roundup of noteworthy upcoming events to add to your calendar.

This digest specifically focuses on events happening in the Triangle this month, including a Google I/O 2018 viewing party in Durham, a RTP180 focused on locally-produced research, a showcase of early-stage cleantech startups, a handful of lunch and learn’s, some educational workshops and plenty of networking. The roundup also features a few application deadlines for competitions, grants and accelerators.

To find out what’s happening in cities outside of the Triangle, check out part two of this week’s “Headliners” column.

A third post previews hot events in June. Monthly meetups that occur on a regular basis are also listed in a separate post.

Check out a full range of events on TechWire’s interactive calendar for more. If you would like an event to be added to the calendar and weekly roundup, feel free to send me an email.

Triangle Small Business Week
April 29 – May 5

The Triangle is celebrating Small Business Week with a series of events to showcase the companies and organizations that are influencing the region’s economy. Click here for the full lineup of daily events held around the Triangle.

Life Science Economic Development Summit
April 30, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. @Raleigh Marriott City Center

Join the North Carolina Biotechnology Center for a full-day gathering of life science professionals and community leaders. The event will feature a series of informative panel discussions and speeches. Tickets cost $100 for NCEDA members; $125 for others.

Startup Stampede Pitch Night + Pop-up Shops
April 30, 4:30-7:30 p.m. @Full Frame Theater

At this event, the nine participating teams in the current Startup Stampede incubator will be showcasing their products and competing for a $100,000 prize and marketing support from McKinney, American Underground’s program partner. Following the pitch contest, a series of pop-up shops will be open to the public in the Full Frame Boiler Room.

Small Business Week Kick-Off: Former Lead Jordan Sneaker Designer Shares Vision of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
April 30, 5-6:30 p.m. @Raleigh Convention Center

The City of Raleigh and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting an official kickoff to Small Business Week, featuring a talk from Jason Mayden, CEO and co-founder of Super Heroic and former design executive for Nike. Following the lecture will be a panel with The File Depot President Carrie Peele, Night Kitchen Owner Helen Pfann, Indigo Dynamic Networks Owner Edward Danyo and Acropolis Controls Principal Engineer Terence Morrison.

TOP TEN Microsoft Hands-On Sessions: PowerPoint
April 30, 6-8 p.m. @Wake Tech Northern Wake Campus

The Wake Tech Center for Entrepreneurship is launching a series of workshops to teach local business owners how to master essential tech tools. This track focuses on Microsoft’s app suite, with monthly workshops detailing Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype and OneNote. April’s workshop continues the series with a lesson covering Microsoft PowerPoint.

Innovative Fundraising for Social Entrepreneurs: Fundraising Strategies for Today’s Nonprofits
April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. @Durham Tech’s Small Business Center

In this workshop, Right Touch Consulting President and CEO Risha Bailey will show social entrepreneurs and nonprofits how to harness new fundraising techniques to expand their revenue streams. This event is free.

#thebigidea project Lunch and Learn
May 1, 12-1 p.m. @HQ Raleigh

#thebigidea project is an opportunity for Triangle startups to win development and consulting services from Big Pixel. Learn more about the program at this free lunch and learn at HQ Raleigh. Pizza will be provided.

1 Million Cups RTP
May 2, 9-10 a.m. @The Frontier

Research Triangle Park, in partnership with Kauffman Labs, hosts regular informal pitch events for the entrepreneurial community at The Frontier. Join for free coffee and entrepreneurial community support as CrowdfundNC.com and StartupMasters.tv deliver their presentations.

#thebigidea project Lunch and Learn
May 2, 12-1 p.m. @American Underground

#thebigidea project is an opportunity for Triangle startups to win development and consulting services from Big Pixel. Learn more about the program at this free lunch and learn at American Underground. Pizza will be provided.

Small Business Ownership Exploration w/ Nathan Simms
May 1, 6:30-8 p.m. @The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center

At this event, Nathan Simms of FranNet will deliver a presentation covering the topics to consider when starting a business, including the paths toward business ownership, the economic climate, choosing the right business and an intro to the franchise industry.

Women’s Leadership Conference 2018
May 3, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @Raleigh Convention Center

This year’s Women’s Leadership Conference features keynote speaker Carey Lohrenz, a former United States Navy lieutenant who was the first fully qualified female naval aviator to fly the F-14 Tomcat. The conference also features a panel discussion with The Institute President and CEO Farad Ali, A10 Solutions President and CEO Leah Brown and UNC System President Margaret Spellings. Tickets cost $90 for Raleigh Chamber members and $120 for non-members.

6th Annual Small Business Week Awards Luncheon
May 3, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown

The Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the Small Business Administration’s NC District Office are hosting an awards luncheon to honor local small businesses. The event will also include a series of morning workshops, plus a keynote from SBA Administrator Linda McMahon.

LaunchBio Larger Than Life Science: Best Kept Secrets
May 3, 4-7 p.m. @The Chesterfield

Meet local VCs, get tips on growing your company and network with fellow members of the life science community at the Larger Than Life Science events series, presented by LaunchBio. The monthly series features a selection of workshops, speaking sessions, meetings with investors, panel talks, office hours and group activities. At May’s event, attendees can learn the story behind Element Genomics’ recent exit, get an inside scoop on clinical trials and discover resources they never knew existed. Entrance is free-of-charge.

Carolina Innovations Seminar: 2018 Celebration of Inventorship
May 3, 5:30-6:30 @Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

UNC’s Office of Commercialization and Economic Development is honoring university inventors and their accomplishments with a special seminar. The speaker, Dr. Mark Schoenfisch of the UNC Department of Chemistry, will share details about his research and his experiences with startups.

Triangle Tech Net
May 4, 7:30-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions in Cary

This free bimonthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.

2018 State of Technology
May 4, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. @Durham Convention Center

This year’s State of Technology conference centers around the theme of artificial intelligence and is packed with engaging keynotes and panel discussions, plus an exhibit showcase and a pitch competition for tech startups.

Economic Development Forum 2018
May 8, 8-10 a.m. @Raleigh Marriott City Center

This year’s Economic Development Forum centers around the theme “A Tale of Three Cities: The Evolutions of Economic Development.” The event will feature talks from Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Huber, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Economic Development Officer Courtney Ross and Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Adrienne Cole.

Google I/O Extended Day Session – Durham
May 8, 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. @American Tobacco Campus

Co-hosted by Google and Momentum Learning, this event will bring together the local dev community for a special viewing party of Google I/O 2018, which is being held in Mountain View, California on May 8-10.

Business Cards Workshop: Branding with Annie
May 8, 12-1:30 p.m. @The Frontier

The next “Branding with Annie” workshop will guide entrepreneurs and small business owners through the process of creating the right business card for their brand. The host, Annie Franceschi of Greatest Story Creative, will share several proven best practices on the subject. Tickets are free.

Info Session: Launch Chapel Hill, Cohort 10
May 8, 1 p.m. @Launch Chapel Hill

Launch Chapel Hill’s 22-week business development program offers Triangle entrepreneurs one-on-one mentorship, resources and business services, pitch workshops, office space and more. Join this info session to learn more about the program and how to apply. May 20 is the application deadline.

Social Media Skills for Small Business Owners
May 8, 6:30-8 p.m. @The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (Raleigh)

At this Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center-hosted workshop, attendees will learn the proven social media strategies for boosting their brand. Topics to be covered include Facebook marketing, hashtag research, audience-building, and more.

IndustryWeek Manufacturing & Technology Conference and Expo
May 8-10 @Raleigh Convention Center

This event gathers manufacturing industry leaders for a three-day dive into topics exploring the elements of advanced manufacturing—lean and continuous improvement, talent management, technology integration, and more. At the expo, attendees can check out the latest products/solutions disrupting the industry today.

Red Hat Summit 2018
May 8-10 @Moscone Center in San Francisco

Join the 14th annual Red Hat Summit for two days of exploring topics surrounding cloud computing, platform, virtualization, middleware, storage and systems management technologies.

Monthly COINversation
May 9, 7:30-9:30 a.m. @Cafe Carolina & Bakery in Cary

In this monthly networking event, participants can meet and connect with other entrepreneurs and companies in the science and technology space.

Application Deadline: NC IDEA SEED Micro-Grant Pilot Program
May 14, 5 p.m.

Applications are officially open for NC IDEA’s Micro-Grants Pilot Program. Grants—$1,000 to $10,000—will be awarded to early-stage companies seeking to validate and advance their ideas. Recipients will receive mentorship and assistance from NC IDEA and access to its network.

CED Member Meetup
May 15, 5:30-7:30 @The Frontier

Council for Entrepreneurial Development members are invited to an evening of networking. Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

Triangle TechBreakfast
May 17, 8-10 a.m. @RTP Headquarters

Developers, designers, startups and tech enthusiasts are invited to join this monthly meetup for free networking over breakfast, plus a series of showcase presentations.

Info Session: Launch Chapel Hill, Cohort 10
May 17, 1 p.m. @Launch Chapel Hill

Launch Chapel Hill’s 22-week business development program offers Triangle entrepreneurs one-on-one mentorship, resources and business services, pitch workshops, office space and more. Join this info session to learn more about the program and how to apply. May 20 is the application deadline.

RTP CFO Forum
May 17, 4-6 p.m. @Regions Bank in Raleigh

CFOs and other senior-level financial executives in the Triangle are invited to join this event to network with peers and participate in a discussion on predictive analytics in drone technology, featuring PrecisionHawk.

RTP180: Startup Research
May 17 5-7:30 p.m. @The Frontier

May’s RTP180 event is a nod to the local companies producing cutting-edge, bootstrapped research.

RTCC Best in Class: Showcasing Cleantech Entrepreneurs – Joules Accelerator
May 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @NCSU’s PowerAmerica Institute

This Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster-hosted event will reveal the latest Joules Accelerator cohort, which includes six early-stage companies with technology for indoor agriculture, EV infrastructure and artificial intelligence. This event is free for RTCC members and PowerAmerica Institute faculty, staff and students. Tickets are $20 for non-members.

Moogfest 2018
May 17-20 @Downtown Durham

Moogfest captures the synthesis of music, art and technology. See the lineup here.

Triangle Tech Net
May 18, 7:30-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions in Cary

This free bimonthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.

Application Deadline: Launch Chapel Hill, Cohort 10
May 20

Launch Chapel Hill’s 22-week business development program offers Triangle entrepreneurs one-on-one mentorship, resources and business services, pitch workshops, office space and more.

#thebigidea project Lunch and Learn
May 21, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. @The Frontier

#thebigidea project is an opportunity for Triangle startups to win development and consulting services from Big Pixel. Learn more about the program at this free lunch and learn at The Frontier. Pizza will be provided.

TOP TEN Google Tools Hands-On Sessions: YouTube
May 21, 6-8 p.m. @Google Fiber in Raleigh

Wake Tech’s Center for Entrepreneurship is holding a series of workshops to teach local business owners how to master essential tech tools. This track focuses on the Google Suite, with monthly sessions detailing Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, GoogleVoice and YouTube. May’s workshop continues with a lesson covering YouTube.

ReCity Roundtable
May 22, 12-1 p.m. @ReCity in Durham

ReCity Roundtable is a monthly speaker series spotlighting community leaders who are tackling complex social issues through innovation and collaboration.

Fund Your Startup or Existing Business Using Investment Crowdfunding
May 22, 12-1:30 p.m. @Wilson Chamber of Commerce

Triangle entrepreneurs are invited to attend a seminar detailing how to use the Localstake NC crowdfunding platform as a funding source for their businesses. The event, held at the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, will be led by Mark Easley of CrowdfundNC.com. Tickets are free.

PAYMENTSfn
May 23-24 @Carolina Theatre

Spreedly is hosting a two-day conference featuring a series of keynotes and talks for payments professionals. The programming consists of an optional half-day session with Spreedly engineers and customers, then a full-day event offering technical and practical insights from industry experts.

Research Triangle Regional Partnership’s State of the Region
May 30, 3-7 p.m. @Meymandi Hall in Raleigh

The 2018 State of the Region conference will tackle the challenges Triangle stakeholders need to address in order to make the region more competitive. It will also take a look at the Triangle’s strengths to determine what needs to be done to ensure even more economic growth in the future. Keynote speakers include The Pink Ceiling CEO and Founder Cindy Whitehead and Alexandria Real Estate Equities CEO Joel Marcus.