WRAL TechWire keeps tabs on the latest and greatest meetups, panels, workshops, conferences, application deadlines and all things happening in the North Carolina startup/tech world. “The Headliners” is a multi-part weekly roundup of upcoming events to add to your calendar.
Following is a list of February events in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle area. To find out what’s happening this month in cities outside of the Triangle, check out part two of the “Headliners” column. Another post highlights events coming up in March. Meetups that occur regularly are listed here.
If you’d like your event to be included, feel free to send me an email.
Also, check out a full range of events on TechWire’s interactive calendar, along with our comprehensive resource guide for startups in the Triangle.
Note: The following list is our lineup of Triangle events through the end of February—most have been switched to a virtual format due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
NC State eGames Competition Student Info Session
February 8, 3-4 p.m. (online)
Join this info session to learn more about NC State Entrepreneurship’s upcoming 2021 eGames startup competition. Applications are due on Feb. 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Raleigh Chamber Business After Hours
February 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (online)
At Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s next Business After Hours, members will be divided randomly into virtual breakout rooms to network and share ideas. (This is a members-only event.)
Cary Chamber Update On PPP Webinar
February 9, 8 a.m. (online)
This webinar will cover everything businesses need to know about the second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding, including eligibility requirements, flexibility, how PPP interacts with other loans and grants, and more.
Hangar6 Talking Shop #3 with Marshall Brain
February 9, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)
The third installment of Hangar6’s Talking Shop series will feature Marshall Brain, author, speaker, professor, NC State Engineering Entrepreneurs program director and founder of HowStuffWorks.com.
High School Counselor Virtual Happy Hour
February 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (online)
William Peace University is hosting a virtual event with breakout rooms covering important topics for counselors. The event will also include a trivia contest and giveaways/prizes.
Raleigh Chamber Young Professionals Network Social
February 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber Young Professionals Network members are invited to a virtual after-work networking event.
Triangle Biotech Tuesday
February 9, 6-7:30 p.m.
Triangle Biotech Tuesday is a monthly meetup that connects scientific professionals across the RTP/greater Triangle area. Join for food, drinks and networking with professionals from different industries. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 9, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
SBIR/STTR Grant Education Seminar
February 10, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)
First Flight Venture Center and scientific consultants from Eva Garland Consulting are hosting an educational seminar on how to submit a successful SBIR/STTR grant application.
1 Million Cups RTP
February 10, 9-10 a.m. (online)
1 Million Cups, presented by Kauffman, is a weekly informal pitch event for the startup community. Join for free coffee and entrepreneurial support as local startups deliver their presentations.
Building Better Entrepreneurs with Mental Health Science
February 10, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)
This workshop, led by Aaron Houghton of Founders First, will cover stress management and mental health for startup founders.
Fireside Chat with Adwerx & we are: How to Create an Inclusive Culture
February 10, 12-1 p.m. (online)
Launch Chapel Hill and UNC’s Entrepreneurship Center are hosting a fireside chat on diversity, equity and inclusion, with Adwerx VP of People Operations Leo D’Agostino and we are CEO and Co-Founder Ronda Bullock.
Virtual L&L: Interconnects for IoT
February 10, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn will cover how interconnects power and empower Internet of Things technologies.
USDA’s SECURE Rule: Paving the Way for Agriculture Innovation
February 10, 3-4 p.m. (online)
NCBiotech is hosting a webinar covering the US Department of Agriculture’s new Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule. The session will be led by Dr. Subray Hegde, the director of biotechnology risk analysis programs and biotechnology regulatory services at APHIS.
First Gen Webinar: Blazing Your Own Trail
February 10, 5-6 p.m. (online)
William Peace University’s Office of Admissions is hosting a virtual event to discuss the process of choosing a school as a first generation student.
WIB-RTP: Managing Your Career Through Uncertainty & Change
February 10, 6-7:30 p.m. (online)
WIB-RTP’s next meetup will cover key strategies for proactively managing your career during difficult times. The session will be led by Heidi Scott Giusto of Career Path Writing Solutions.
Application Deadline: NCBiotech Translational Research Grant (2021 Cycle 2)
February 10
The NC Biotech Center’s Translational Research Grant program provides funding for projects exploring/developing commercial applications for university-held life science inventions. Applications are open for the next cycle of funding.
Virtual Caregiver Conference
February 10-11 (online)
This two-day virtual conference will focus on solutions for overcoming behavioral challenges in dementia care.
Duke I&E Academy Research Translation & Commercialization Series
February 11, 12 p.m. (online)
Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s multi-part Research Translation & Commercialization Workshop Series will cover strategy and business plan development, venture deals, managing a team and launching a venture.
2021 Durham Chamber Annual Meeting
February 11, 4-5 p.m. (online)
Durham Chamber’s 2021 annual meeting will bring together hundreds of business owners, stakeholders, and community and civic leaders to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments.
DevOps: Why Many Try & Few Succeed
February 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (online)
AITP-RTP’s next meetup will cover the reasons why Agile and DevOps adoptions often fail, and how you can keep your organization from becoming the next cautionary tale.
Info Session: How To Career Change With Momentum’s New Part-Time Course
February 11, 6-7 p.m. (online)
This virtual information session will cover Momentum’s newly launched software engineering part-time course. Join to learn more about the course, curriculum, and how to apply.
NC State Entrepreneurship Mentorship Meetup
February 11, 6-7 p.m. (online)
At NC State Entrepreneurship’s first Mentorship Meetup for the spring 2021 semester, mentees will rotate between two rounds of topics covering all aspects of professional development.
Raleigh Chamber C-Suite Perspectives
February 12, 9-10:30 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber’s next C-Suite Perspectives webinar will feature Pendo Co-Founder and CEO Todd Olson, who will share lessons that participants can apply to their own businesses/organizations.
Triangle Tech Net
February 12, 11:30 a.m. (online)
This free bi-monthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
Application Deadline: NC State eGames 2021
February 12
NC State Entrepreneurship’s annual eGames startup competition is back this year, offering student teams the opportunity to win cash prizes for their business ideas. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 12.
HackEd 2021
February 13-14 (online)
Audacity Labs and Rev are hosting a no-code, ideation hackathon for high school students in the North Carolina area. Students will generate an innovative idea, learn from industry experts and develop a pitch for their solution. The winning team will split a scholarship prize.
Application Deadline: 2021 First Flight FAST Cohort
February 15
In First Flight Venture Center’s FAST program, 35 life science companies will be chosen to participate in a grant readiness evaluation boot camp in April and receive coaching from Eva Garland Consulting as they develop a competitive SBIR/STTR Phase 1 application.
Application Deadline: Innovate Durham 2021
February 15
Innovate Durham, a startup program run by the City and County of Durham, allows entrepreneurs to use local government resources to test their products and ideas. Applications for the fourth cohort of the program (running virtually) are open now.
ReCONNECT for the Future: Virtual Emerging Issues Forum
February 15-18 (online)
The Institute for Emerging Issues’ next virtual ReCONNECT NC forum will cover ways to activate change on a local level in communities across North Carolina this year. More TechWire coverage here.
NCBiotech Life Sciences Marketing Group: Agile Marketing
February 16, 12-1 p.m. (online)
NCBiotech’s next Life Sciences Marketing Group event will cover how marketers are adopting agile strategies to boost their productivity in producing valuable marketing deliverables.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
February 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (online)
Code for Durham brings together technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and activists to collaborate on civic technology projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays.
Ellevate Webinar: How To Be an Antiracist Ally w/ Raven Solomon
February 16, 6-7 p.m. (online)
The Triangle chapter of Ellevate is hosting a webinar on how to activate antiracist allyship in everyday professional and personal life.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 16, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
Black Dollar NC Fireside Chat & Brand Building
February 16, 6:30-8 p.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber is hosting a panel of branding experts to discuss the foundations of effective branding and how it impacts small businesses. Speakers include: Creative Allies CEO Amie Thompson, Image Consulting & Personal Branding Company CEO Mia LaMotte, and Black Dollar CEO Johnny Hackett.
Application Deadline: LaunchDURHAM
February 16
Helius is seeking applicants for its next cohort of LaunchDURHAM, a 10-week training program in which participants will learn how to refine their product, find and reach core customers, use financial tools, and navigate the fundraising process.
NC TECH CIO + IT Executive Roundtable
February 17, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)
In this virtual session, CISOs, VPs and director-level tech leaders at NC TECH member companies will discuss relevant topics and best practices in their field.
NC TECH CISO + IT Security Roundtable
February 17, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)
This online meeting convenes CISOs, VPs and director-level security leaders from NC TECH member companies. A roundtable discussion will focus on topics relevant to the field.
1 Million Cups RTP
February 17, 9-10 a.m. (online)
1 Million Cups, presented by Kauffman, is a weekly informal pitch event for the startup community. Join for free coffee and entrepreneurial support as local startups deliver their presentations.
NC4ME Virtual Hiring Event
February 17, 9:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. (online)
NC4ME is hosting a virtual hiring event to convene recruiters and hiring managers with veterans, transitioning service members, guard/reserves and military spouses.
How To Revive a Dead Slide
February 17, 12-12:30 p.m. (online)
American Underground is hosting a virtual interactive workshop on how to make your presentation slides more engaging and memorable.
Making Sensor Data Accessible to Drive Actionable Insights
February 17, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn will cover how Bayer Digital Pest Management went to market with a platform to support digital remote monitoring.
National AgTech Forum
February 17, 4-5:30 p.m. (online)
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center, together with AgLaunch and AgStart, is hosting a series of monthly events with experts sharing their perspectives on key agtech industry topics. This month’s event will feature a discussion on the diversity of gene editing applications currently being used in agriculture and what role they will play in the future.
Raleigh Chamber Community Success Forum
February 18, 9-11 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber is hosting a free webinar covering the opportunities and challenges related to the sustainability of the local community. The forum will share how the business community can create a more prosperous community for all.
Town of Cary Innovation: During the Pandemic & Beyond
February 18, 12-1 p.m. (online)
Cary Chamber’s next Business of Women series will feature Town of Cary Chief Technology Officer Nicole Raimundo, who will discuss the transition to an online workforce and how Cary is becoming more efficient through the use of technology.
Duke Startup Connect Networking Fair
February 18, 3-7 p.m. (online)
This online networking event will convene Duke students with representatives of startups that are hiring new talent.
RIoT + Raleigh Founded’s Annual State of the Region Address
February 18, 4-6 p.m. (online)
The annual State of the Region Address from RIoT and Raleigh Founded is back for its fourth year. RIoT Executive Director Tom Snyder will discuss recent changes and growth in the Triangle, and what comes next.
First Flight Venture Center Companies Discuss their Runway to Success
February 18, 4-7 p.m. (online)
This webinar, hosted by the North Carolina Life Sciences Virtual Networking Group, will feature a discussion with three First Flight Venture Center companies at different lifecycle stages.
RTP180: Equity
February 18, 6-7 p.m. (online)
This month’s virtual RTP180 will feature local experts discussing the topic of equity from different angles.
Pearl Hacks 2021
February 19-21 (online)
Pearl Hacks, a three-day hackathon held every year at UNC Chapel Hill, is an opportunity for women and non-binary students to explore technology in a supportive environment.
TriWiSTEM Virtual Fitness & Networking
February 20, 9:45-11 a.m. (online)
Triangle Women in STEM is hosting a virtual networking event and exercise session, free to both members and non-members.
The Real Cost of Fiber
February 22, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (online)
In this virtual event, a panel of experts will discuss the short-term vs. long-term costs and opportunities of deploying fiber networks.
ElectriCities Connections Summit
February 22-26 (online)
ElectriCities is hosting a virtual conference to convene public power leaders, peers and organizations to share best practices, trends and solutions for the power industry.
Raleigh Chamber Networking 101
February 23, 8-9 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber is hosting a virtual event to help local professionals build their networking skills with advice from human resources experts.
RIoT 50: Examining Accessibility Through Two Lenses
February 23, 4:30-6 p.m. (online)
In this virtual event, RIoT and The Diversity Movement will tackle DEI challenges and opportunities in the tech industry.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 23, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
Downtown Techies Happy Hours @Midtown
February 23, 7-9 p.m. @Fox and Hound
Bring your ideas and opinions to the next Midtown Techies meetup. Events are held on the last Tuesday of every month.
Cary Chamber Eye Opener Series
February 24, 8-9 a.m. (online)
Cary Chamber’s next Eye Opener Series webinar will feature COVID-19 updates from NC DHHS Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley and chief medical officers from WakeMed, Duke and UNC REX hospitals.
1 Million Cups RTP
February 24, 9-10 a.m. (online)
1 Million Cups, presented by Kauffman, is a weekly informal pitch event for the startup community. Join for free coffee and entrepreneurial support as local startups deliver their presentations.
IoT Connectivity Solutions with Murata & Arrow Electronics
February 24, 1-2 p.m. (online)
RIoT is hosting a lunch and learn covering Murata Wireless Solutions for WI-Fi/ BT/ BLe and Combo modules, CAT M1/ NB IoT, Lora and SIgFox modules.
Continuing the Conversation: Diversity & Inclusion Panel Part 2
February 24, 6-7:30 p.m. (online)
HBA RTP is hosting a panel discussion focused on social justice, equality, inclusion and more topics. The panel members from part one of the series will return, joined by some new faces as well.
Duke Sustainable Business & Social Impact Conference
February 24 (online)
Duke University’s 16th annual Sustainable Business and Social Impact Conference will convene students, professionals, private-sector executives and nonprofit leaders to discuss entrepreneurship for good, healthcare access and equity, purpose-driven consulting, corporate activism, and more.
PowerAmerica 2021 Annual Meeting
February 24-25 (online)
PowerAmerica’s annual conference, held virtually this year, convenes a large audience of wide bandgap professionals.
Raleigh Chamber Courageous Conversation
February 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber’s next Courageous Conversation event will feature a discussion on the intersection of Generation Z and race equity.
Triangle Virtual IT Career Expo
February 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (online)
NCWorks is hosting a virtual IT career expo to connect job seekers with top tech employers in the Triangle region.
Grow Your Business With Google Series
February 25, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)
This webinar will show participants how to ensure their customers can find accurate and updated information about their business on Google Search and Google Maps.
TriWiSTEM: Intro to Amplify Your Voice
February 25, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)
TriWiSTEM’s next meetup will feature an interactive discussion from two speakers: Speak & Own It Communications CEO and Founder Casey Carpenter and Martha Gleason Voice Owner Martha Gleason.
Virtual NC HUB & NC DBE Certification Info Session
February 25, 2:30-4 p.m. (online)
The City of Raleigh is hosting monthly virtual workshops on the benefits of the HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification programs.
Triangle Tech Net
February 26, 11:30 a.m. (online)
This free bi-monthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
