Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming events happening across North Carolina through the end of the year. Included are the latest meetups, conferences, workshops, application deadlines and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other parts of North Carolina.
This post is part of our weekly column of upcoming events, along with our comprehensive resource guide for startups in the Triangle.
To find out what’s happening this month in the Triangle specifically, check out part one of this week’s column. Another post previews events coming in January. Recurring monthly meetups in the Triangle are listed here.
These columns are an extension of our interactive calendar of tech and startup events. If you’d like to suggest an event to be added to the calendar, feel free to send me an email.
ACCESS Meetup: CPAs, Accountants & Bookkeepers
December 3, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ACCESS Center for Equity + Success
Winston-Salem’s ACCESS Center for Equity + Success is hosting a free meetup to convene CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers.
Winston Starts SPARK Series: Gloria Hairston
December 3, 12-1:30 p.m. @Winston Starts
This month’s Winston Starts Spark Speaker Series event features Gloria Hairston of Winston Salem’s Black Chamber of Commerce, who will share the story of her career path and some of the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way.
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Annual Meeting
December 3, 6-10 p.m. @Charlotte Convention Center
This evening program will be celebrating the first year as the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, spotlighting the successes from the organization’s 15 county footprint.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
December 4, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
Asheville Chamber Smart Series
December 4, 8-9 a.m. @Asheville Chamber
The Asheville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on employment policies, led by Jon Harbrough of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete.
1 Million Cups Charlotte
December 4, 8:30-10 a.m.
Held every month, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community. Free coffee is included.
1 Million Cups Asheville
December 4, 9-10 a.m.
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Triad Tech Talk Live: Cybersecurity Panel Discussion
December 4, 9-10:30 a.m. @Flywheel Coworking (W. Fifth St.)
Join NC TECH for a panel discussion on the importance of risk assessments as the foundation of any security strategy.
RAP Wilson Information Session (Wilmington)
December 4, 5-6 p.m. @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
RIoT is bringing its startup accelerator program to Wilson in Spring 2020. Join this info session to learn more about RAP Wilson and ask questions from the RIoT and Gig East teams. The deadline to apply to RAP Wilson is December 16.
Wilmington Tech-Con
December 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @tekMountain
Join Cape Fear Women in Tech for the first Wilmington Tech-Con, which will convene tech professionals and tech groups in the Wilmington area. Refreshments will be provided.
Talent Jam Charlotte
December 4, 6-9 p.m. @Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts
This event features dueling open-mic pitches where Charlotte-based jobseekers and companies looking for talent will deliver alternating 60-second pitches. Networking will follow.
How to WIN SBIR/STTR Grants (Wilmington Seminar)
December 5, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @MARBIO @ Crest Research Center, UNC-Wilmington
First Flight Venture Center’s FAST program features three education seminars in Asheville, Greensboro and Wilmington, covering all aspects of how to strategically approach obtaining funding from the SBIR/STTR program. Companies can apply to be a part of FFVC’s 2020 FAST cohort by January 15.
Charlotte Tech Talk Live: How Do You Know If You’ve Been ‘Digitally Transformed’?
December 5, 9-10:30 a.m. @We Work (S. Tryon)
Join NC TECH for a conversation about the process of digital transformation and its successes and challenges.
Skookum Volcano Tour
December 5, 12-1 p.m. @Skookum Charlotte
Join an open tour of the Skookum office to get an introduction to the tech and ideas powering the community. The Skookum team will be available for any questions or comments participants may have. Lunch will be provided.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
December 5, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Asheville Chamber Business After Hours
December 5, 5:30-7 p.m. @Hawthorne Apartments
This month, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours networking event will be hosted by Hawthorne at Haywood, a new apartment community now leasing for December 2019. Join for an evening of drinks, hors d’oeuvres and community.
Crypto Current Webinar
December 5, 7-8:30 p.m.
Join Tech Talent South Charlotte for a free webinar on cryptocurrency terms and trends. The session will be led by Richard Carthon, founder of Carthon Enterprises and Crypto Current.
Application Deadline: CED Venture Connect 2020
December 5
The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) is welcoming companies to apply for the Venture Connect 2020 Summit to gain premium exposure to thought leaders, industry visionaries and investors on March 17-19.
WNC Economic Bruncheon
December 6, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. @Asheville Masonic Temple
Breedlove & Company is hosting an event featuring TED talk-style keynotes, panel discussions and plenty of networking with the top leaders and innovators in Western North Carolina.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
December 6, 9-9:30 a.m.
This free monthly interactive webinar provides participants with an overview of NC TECH’s activities, resources and member offerings.
BABC Charlotte Holiday & Good Cheer Luncheon
December 6, 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @Quail Hollow Club
The British American Business Council Charlotte invites the community to join for a holiday party to wrap up the year.
Charlotte Economic Outlook Conference
December 9, 12:30-2 p.m. @Westin Charlotte
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Economic Outlook Conference features talks and fireside chats with Charlotte’s top thought leaders as they discuss economic growth opportunities for the region.
NC IDEA Ice House Facilitator Training (4th Cohort)
December 10-12 @Catawba Valley Community College
NC IDEA’s three-day Ice House Facilitator Training provides education and insight on the “entrepreneurial mindset” to innovators who want to solve social, political and economic problems.
Lunch & Learn: The Core IoT Network
December 10, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Factory
Join Charlotte IoT and Steven Payne, senior director of IoT sales at Sprint, as he covers how millions of devices connecting to the network are different than smartphones and security across that network.
Cybersecurity 101
December 10, 6-8 p.m.
Join Tech Talent South Charlotte to learn the terms and tools you need to protect your business.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
December 11, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
Charlotte PitchBreakfast
December 11, 8-10 a.m. @The Garage at Packard Place
Every month, a handful of Queen City-based companies headline 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.
1 Million Cups Asheville
December 11, 9-10 a.m. @East Fork
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Speed Networking at the Speedway
December 11, 3:30-6:30 p.m. @Charlotte Motor Speedway Paddock Club
Come network with the business community while getting a sneak peek at the Speedway’s Christmas light decorations at the next “Speed Networking at the Speedway” event, held by the north chapter of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
NC Food Innovation Lab & Advance Technology Tour
December 11, 4-6:30 p.m. @North Carolina Research Campus
Cabarrus Economic Development, in partnership with LaunchLKN and Bunker Labs Charlotte, is hosting a tour of the new Food Innovation Lab and Advanced Technology Center at Rowan Cabarrus Community College at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. A happy hour will follow the tour.
synerG Young Professionals December On Tap
December 11, 5:30-8 p.m. @Gate City Growlers
Join synerG and Greensboro Jaycees for an evening of networking after work.
Application Deadline: NCBiotech Flash Grant Cycle 2
December 11
For its Flash Grant program, the North Carolina Biotech Center is on the lookout for innovative life science technology ideas with commercial potential. Applications for the latest cycle in the program are due at noon.
NC TECH Annual CIO/CISO Online Auction
December 11-13
The winning bidder of this online fundraiser gets the opportunity to facilitate a one-on-one lunch meeting with a CIO or CISO at a North Carolina tech company. The auction supports NC TECH’s statewide initiatives, including its Founder’s Scholarship.
NCGrowth Fall 2019 Showcase
December 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. @NC Zoo
This event brings together partners, funders and friends of UNC’s Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise to showcase the center’s current projects.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
December 12, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
UNCW AI Meetup
December 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Every month this meetup group joins to discuss a hot topic in the artificial intelligence space. Join to hear insights and meet others in the Wilmington AI community.
BLKTECHCLT & Flatiron School Coding Info Session
December 12, 6-8 p.m. @James M Duke Memorial Library
Join BLKTECHCLT for an info session to learn all about Flatiron School’s online engineering, data science and UX/UI design programs.
Venture 15 Awards & Venture Asheville Honors
December 12, 7-10 p.m. @The Orange Peel
The Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors Awards are presented in celebration of the fastest-growing startups in the city, along with the individuals who are leading the growth of the local entrepreneurial community.
Leveraging Consumer Insights to Drive Business Value
December 13, 12-1 p.m. @Skookum
In this workshop, Brett Townsend, head of North America Insights at Electrolux, will share the foundational concepts necessary to capitalize on the strategic possibilities and vision that consumer insights can provide.
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Power of Women Luncheon
December 16, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park
Join the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s last Power of Women luncheon of the year, featuring networking, a panel discussion and demonstrations from partnering professional women’s business organizations in the region.
Application Deadline: RAP Wilson Cohort (Spring 2020)
December 16
RIoT is bringing its 12-week RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) to Wilson starting in February 2020. Applications for the first RAP Wilson cohort will close on December 16 at 5 p.m. EST.
synerG Lunch & Learn: Multigenerational Workforce
December 17, 12-1 p.m. @Action Greensboro
Join Campus Greensboro Director Lizzy Tahsuda for a lunch and learn on the experiences that shape each generation, how to mitigate stereotypes and how to work together to see the value of generational diversity on teams.
Launch Challenge Showcase
December 17, 2-4 p.m. @Wake Downtown
Join the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center for a showcase with businesses in the Fall 2019 Launch Challenge program. (If you’re interested in participating in the next session of the Launch Challenge, you can apply by December 31.)
Startup Grind Davidson: End of Year Holiday Party
December 17, 5-7 p.m. @Hurt Hub@Davidson
Startup Grind Davidson invites the community to join to celebrate a successful year with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a White Elephant Gift Exchange, and ping pong, jenga, karaoke and Uno.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
December 18, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
1 Million Cups Asheville
December 18, 9-10 a.m.
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Launch Challenge Information Session
December 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. @Forsyth Tech Small Business Center
Join the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center to learn about the Launch Challenge program, in which 10-20 prospective business owners will learn how to successfully launch and grow a startup. Graduates of the program may receive a financial award to support their business launch. Applications for the next session are due December 31.
Packard Place Public House
December 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Packard Place
On the third Wednesday of every month, the Queen City’s entrepreneurial community joins together for an evening of networking and connections over drinks.
Small Business Success Celebration with Mountain BizWorks
December 18, 6-9 p.m. @Center for the Craft
Mountain BizWorks is hosting its annual year-end event celebrating its years of success and looking forward to 2020. Light refreshments, desserts and drinks will be served.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
December 19, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Startup Grind Winston-Salem: End of Year Party & Chili Cookoff
December 19, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking (W. Fifth St.)
Join Startup Grind Winston-Salem for its annual chili cookoff to celebrate the end of the year.
HQ Greensboro + The Forge Holiday Party
December 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @HQ Greensboro
The Forge and HQ Greensboro are hosting a holiday event featuring a mobile laser demonstration, crafting, light fare and beverages.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
December 26, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Application Deadline: Launch Challenge
December 31
Triad entrepreneurs and innovators can apply to be one of the 10-20 prospective business owners who will participate in this session of the Launch Challenge program. Graduates of the program may receive a financial award to support their business launch.
