WRAL TechWire keeps tabs on the latest and greatest meetups, panels, workshops, conferences and all things happening in the North Carolina startup world.
“The Headliners” is a multi-part weekly roundup of upcoming events to add to your calendar. To find out what’s happening in cities outside of the Triangle, check out part two of the “Headliners” column.
Another post highlights events in May. Meetups that occur on a regular basis are listed here.
Check out a full range of events on TechWire’s interactive calendar for more. If you’d like your event to be added to the calendar and weekly roundup, feel free to send me an email.
Here’s our lineup of Triangle events through the end of April. The roundup also includes application deadlines for accelerators, competitions and other programs.
On the Menu: Practicing Effective Video for Business
April 1, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Frontier 600
In RTP Frontier’s next “On the Menu” workshop, Justin Plant and Ben Oliver of Storyboard Media will explain how to practice effective video for business.
Plant Molecular Biology Consortium Seminar Series
April 1, 4-6 p.m. @NC Biotech Center
This month’s Plant Molecular Biology Consortium event features a presentation from Dr. Ottoline Leyser of the University of Cambridge.
2019 Healthcare Entrepreneurship & Innovation Exchange
April 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @Kenan Center
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Healthcare Club is bringing together students, local alumni and professionals for a day of discussion with founders and executives on how innovation can accelerate the healthcare industry beyond its current boundaries.
Application Deadline: CUBE 5.0 Social Innovation Program
April 1
UNC’s CUBE 5.0 program at Campus Y is putting out a call for applications to undergraduate and graduate students interested in starting and developing a social venture. CUBE 5.0 includes one year of specialized programming and support.
Emerging Biotechnologies in Agriculture
April 2, 5:30-8 p.m. @NC State Hunt Library
Join Triangle BABCNC and NC State’s Genetic Engineering and Society Center to discuss the GMO debate in the U.S. and Europe, and the genetic approaches to agricultural pest management and crop science.
ACG Capital Conference
April 2-3 @Marriott, Crabtree
This conference brings together over 400 mid-market dealmakers and local business leaders for two days of networking and discussion on the crypto economy.
GTM Forum: Grid Edge East 2019
April 3 @Duke Fuqua School of Business
Join Greentech Media and forward-thinking utilities at the center of grid digitalization for a day of discussion about the latest advancements in distribution innovation along the East Coast.
1 Million Cups RTP
April 3, 9-10 a.m. @6 Davis Drive Science Collaboration Campus, RTP
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.
PowerAmerica Technical Webinar
April 3, 12-1 p.m.
In this webinar, Dr. Hanh Phuc-Le, a power electronics researcher at the University of Colorado-Boulder, will speak about the research he is doing through PowerAmerica.
Startup Legal 201
April 3, 5:30-7 p.m. @Carolina Coworking
In this workshop, Innovate Capital Law Co-Founder Benji Taylor Jones will share capital raising strategies for your startup or small business. Q&A and networking will follow.
Lulu eGames LIVE
April 3, 6-8 p.m. @NC State
At this annual event, NC State entrepreneurs compete to win $100,000 in cash prizes for the best and most innovative ideas. The 2019 program will be emcee’d by WRAL-TV anchor/reporter Renee Chou.
Application Deadline: NC Biotech Center Flash Grant
April 3
For its Flash Grant program, the North Carolina Biotech Center is on the lookout for innovative life science technology ideas with early indications of commercial potential. Applications in the second cycle of the 2019 program are due April 3 at noon.
Lunch & Learn: Industry 4.0—Modernizing & Connecting the Remote Data Center
April 4, 12-1 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
At this RIoT lunch and learn, participants will hear from Justin Spears as he discusses how to operationally modernize data flow in an IoT-enabled world.
Larger Than Life Science: Transformers
April 4, 4-7 p.m. @The Chesterfield
Meet fellow entrepreneurs, get tips on growing your company and network with fellow members of the life science community at the free Larger Than Life Science events series, presented by LaunchBio. This month’s theme is Transformers, featuring talks with researchers working on revolutionizing cancer treatment with immunotherapy, a session on analytical controls and drug development, and a peek at this year’s Moogfest.
Pharmaceutical Innovations: Transforming Bold Ideas Into Better Health
April 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m. @Top of the Hill
Join Innovate Carolina at the next Carolina Innovations Seminar to hear the latest news about UNC’s Eshelman Institute for Innovation and where it’s heading in the future.
Women in Clean Energy
April 4, 6-8 p.m. @Coquette
NC Sustainable Energy Association‘s Women in Clean Energy events foster a network of support, camaraderie and opportunity for self-identifying women in North Carolina’s clean energy industry.
Duke I&E Research Conference
April 4 @Duke University
This event, co-hosted by Duke I&E and UNC’s Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise, offers an opportunity for local entrepreneurship scholars to present their work, get feedback from peers, network and exchange ideas.
Triangle Tech Net
April 5, 7:30-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions
This free bimonthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
Healthcare AI 101 Forum
April 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. @RTP HQ
The North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance is hosting a discussion on AI topics including artificial intelligence vs. machine learning, AI data, clinical and operational case studies in AI, and more.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
April 5, 9-9:30 a.m.
This free monthly interactive webinar provides participants with an overview of NC TECH’s activities, resources and member offerings.
HQ Community Happy Hour
April 5, 4-6 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
Join HQ Raleigh for community connections and networking over drinks.
Startup Weekend Triangle: AI
April 5-7 @American Underground
The Triangle’s next Startup Weekend is an opportunity for AI developers, designers and innovators join together for 54 hours to create a concept, test it, craft a business model and pitch their demo to the audience.
The Bombshell Entrepre-Brewers
April 6, 12 p.m. @Bombshell Beer Company
Join Triangle Women in STEM in Holly Springs to tour Bombshell Beer Company, hear from the women who started it and network with fellow STEM professionals.
WordCamp Raleigh 2019
April 6-7 @NC State College of Engineering
WordCamp Raleigh’s tenth anniversary event features two days of insight from 35 speakers over several tracks and sessions. Tickets include lunch, snacks and coffee, a commemorative t-shirt and swag.
Application Deadline: MetLife Digital Accelerator, Powered by Techstars
April 7
This Cary-based accelerator program, co-presented by MetLife and Techstars, is for startups and innovators interested in reinventing the insurance industry from any angle possible. The 2019 program starts July 15 and ends on Oct 10. (More coverage here.)
Raleigh Chamber Business After Hours
April 8, 5:30-7 p.m. @Meredith College
Next up in Raleigh Chamber’s Business After Hours series is a networking event at Meredith College. Join to learn more about Meredith’s coeducational MBA program. This event is free for employees of Raleigh Chamber member firms.
RTP VR: XR Applications by NextGen Interactions
April 8, 7-9 p.m. @1121 Situs Ct., Raleigh
At RTP Virtual Reality’s next meetup, NextGen Interactions will present demos of several immersive XR projects. Read about them here.
Networking 101
April 9, 8-9 a.m. @Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
At this interactive event, Raleigh Chamber will highlight how to build your business connections at networking events. Registration is free for employees of Raleigh Chamber member firms.
Leadership Raleigh Info Session
April 9, 8:30-10 a.m. @Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Join this info session to learn about Raleigh Chamber’s Leadership Raleigh program, the opportunities it offers and how to apply. Applications are due June 14.
UNC IE Bagel Breakfast Social
April 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. @UNC Institute for the Environment
UNC’s Institute for the Environment hosts a monthly breakfast inviting a guest speaker to discuss their latest research and projects.
Personalized Medicine: Research & Adoption
April 9, 3-7 p.m. @NC Biotech Center
The North Carolina Precision Health Collaborative and the Personalized Medicine Coalition are hosting a forum exploring the policies and practices involving emerging biomedical research and how personalized medicine can improve patient outcomes and value of care.
Triangle Blockchain Technology Working Group
April 9, 4-6 p.m. @Ward and Smith, P.A.
The Triangle Blockchain Technology Working Group meets monthly for networking and collaboration on blockchain projects.
Open Raleigh Brigade Community Night
April 9, 6-8:30 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
The Open Raleigh Brigade is an ongoing meetup for technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and project managers to come together to collaborate on civic projects. This event is part of a series of meetings held until June.
Train the Trainer Workshop on Winning SBIR/STTR Grants
April 9-10 @NCCU, H.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education
Hosted by First Flight Venture Center, this two-day training event in Durham will demonstrate how early-stage companies can obtain funding from the SBIR/STTR grant programs, covering strategy, preparing competitive proposals, internal procedures, and more.
2019 Raleigh Legislative Visit
April 9-10 in Raleigh
Around 50 representatives of eight Western North Carolina-based regional chambers will participate in this two-day trip to Raleigh to discuss business-friendly legislation. Events include a meeting with NC House and Senate leaders, panels covering rural broadband and medical marijuana, debates between Republican and Democratic political strategists, and a reception with the Western NC delegation.
Pints & Pitches Chapel Hill
April 10, 5:30-7 p.m. @Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Join Chapel Hill Economic Development for appetizers and networking with local entrepreneurs, startup teams, freelancers and professionals. Attendees can also pitch their business ideas.
Marketing for Software & Product Startups
April 10, 5:30-7 p.m. @Carolina Coworking
At this workshop, Method Savvy VP of Client Services Devin Kelley will share techniques and tools early-stage companies can use to improve their marketing messaging.
RAP II (RIoT Accelerator Program) Pitch Night
April 10, 6-8 p.m. @Marbles Kids Museum
Join RIoT as the latest cohort of the 12-week RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) competes for the coveted RIoT Championship Belt.
FREEDM Systems Center Research Symposium
April 10-12 @NC State Hunt Library
Join researchers, students, federal agencies and industry reps at FREEDM Systems Center‘s annual symposium for an update on the trends and technologies in medium voltage power electronics, power systems, renewable energy and electric transportation technologies.
Lunch & Learn: Applying a Framework to Your IoT Security Design
April 11, 12-1 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
RIoT’s lunch and learn series hosts Mike Louis, technology director of NWN, for a session on the concept of using frameworks to plan an effective set of strategies.
Entrepreneur Panel & Fashion Show
April 11, 5-7 p.m. @Belk Crabtree Valley Mall
In timing with the launch of RACHEL Rachel Roy’s Spring 2019 collection in 11 Belk stores across the South, the two brands are hosting a fashion show along with a panel featuring fashion entrepreneurs including Kate Steadman of Frill Clothing, Carmin Black of Half United and Stephany McMillan of Rise and Flow Yoga Studio.
UNC 2019 Innovation Showcase
April 11, 5:30-8 p.m. @Friday Center for Continuing Education
During this showcase, Innovate Carolina will celebrate a group of 40 selected innovators as they share how they’re solving important problems and bringing new ideas to market.
Tech Talent South: The Whiteboard Test—Practice w/ Devs
April 11, 6-8 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
Tech Talent South Raleigh is hosting an event to help programmers practice for job interviews. Industry professionals will prep them through a series of practice rounds.
Application Deadline: Cary Chamber Small Business Excellence Awards
April 12
Applications are open for Cary Chamber’s latest annual awards program, recognizing a group of select businesses and organizations that are making a significant impact in the local community. Cary Chamber will be honoring each winner at the Hilton Garden Inn on May 21.
2019 Wake Forest STEM Saturday
April 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. @Wake Forest Renaissance Centre
The Wake Forest Technology Advisory Board and Wireless Research Center invite local middle and high school students and parents to a day of STEM-related exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on learning activities.
T-REX Summit
April 15-16 @Carolina Theatre
The annual T-REX Summit provides actionable content, talks from industry leaders and networking with like-minded individuals in the sales, marketing and business professional community. Speaker lineup and agenda here.
PAYMENTSfn
April 16-18 @Carolina Threatre
Spreedly is hosting a three-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 two days of events offering technical and practical insights from industry experts. Senior execs from Dropbox and Patreon are keynoting.
ImBlackInTech Monthly Mixer Series
April 16, 6-7:30 p.m. @American Underground
ImBlackInTech’s monthly mixer event convenes the local entrepreneurial community in support of the growth of founders and professionals of color in the Triangle’s tech startup ecosystem. More coverage here.
Black Business Momentum Series: Canva & Graphics for Small Businesses
April 16, 6-8 p.m. @Knightdale Public Safety Training Center
In this workshop, Jes Averhart, the executive director of Leadership Triangle, will guide participants through the process of designing a logo and flyer for their brand using Canva. A light dinner will be served.
NCDIDI Aviation, Aerospace & Cybersecurity Upgrade Outreach Event
April 17, 1-3:30 p.m. @NC Rural Center
The North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NC DIDI) is hosting its first recruitment event of 2019. Several programs and initiatives headed by the NC DIDI will be presented at the event. Past program participants will be on hand to share their success stories.
East Coast Game Conference
April 16-18 @Raleigh Convention Center
Now in its 11th year, the East Coast Game Conference gathers video game professionals for three days of networking, keynote speakers and engaging sessions.
Story for Startups Workshop
April 17, 2-5 p.m. @The Frontier
Local founders, C-Suite execs and marketing/communications teams: CED invites you to attend free interactive workshop to learn how to use your story and passion to get more customers, recruit better talent and raise more capital. The program is hosted by Durham-based StoryDriven, an Emmy award-winning storytelling firm.
Ag Tech Professional Forum
April 17, 4-7 p.m. @NC Biotech Center
This event convenes local ag tech entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders for an evening of networking and engagement outside of the traditional workspace environment. The theme for the next meeting is climate change and its impacts on heat stress, circadian rhythms and gene expression in agriculture.
Digital Health Happy Hour
April 17, 5-7 p.m. @RTP HQ
DHIT’s free networking event comes to RTP Headquarters this month, featuring a talk with pop-up speaker Jacob Traverse, executive director of the Triangle Global Health Consortium. Join to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders over craft beers.
ACC InVenture Prize
April 17, 7:30-9 p.m. @Stewart Theatre
Student entrepreneurs sent by universities in the Atlantic Coast Conference will pitch their innovations at the third annual ACC InVenture Prize competition.
Triangle TechBreakfast
April 18, 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.
Lunch & Learn: Overcoming Challenges in IoT Design
April 18, 12-1 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
At this lunch and learn Ed Baca, IoT marketing manager at TTI Inc. will show participants how TTI can help them with their next design and finish projects ahead of schedule.
Cary Chamber Business of Women
April 18, 12-1:15 p.m. @Prestonwood Country Club
In this event, Tasha Dyson will cover questions companies should be asking their background investigation service provider.
RTP180: Art
April 18, 5-7:30 p.m. @The Frontier
Join RTP180 to hear from local experts discussing art therapy, art and virtual reality, artistic equality and more related topics. Panelists include Michelle Harrell of the North Carolina Museum of Art, Brandon Cordrey of VAE Raleigh, Bridget Pemberton-Smith of the Art Therapy Institute, and Johannah Maynard Edwards and Ashley Popio of the Women’s Theatre Festival.
Triangle Tech Net
April 19, 7:30-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions
This free bimonthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
HQ Community Lunch
April 19, 12-1 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
Join HQ Raleigh for good food and interesting topics.
NCBiotech Jobs Network: Structured Networking
April 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m. @NC Biotech Center
This event, hosted by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, helps attendees practice and grow their networking skills and expand their professional networks.
Open Raleigh Brigade Community Night
April 23, 6-8:30 p.m. @HQ Raleigh
The Open Raleigh Brigade is an ongoing meetup for technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and project managers to come together to collaborate on civic projects. This event is part of a series of meetings held until June.
Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Certification Day
April 24, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. @Wake RTP Campus
This half-day seminar will teach participants all about HUB certification and how to complete the process of meeting qualifications, using state databases, registering for the HUB program and applying these resources to the growth of your company.
Cary Chamber Eye Opener Breakfast
April 24, 8-9 a.m. @Prestonwood Country Club
Join Cary Chamber to hear a talk from Jerry Williams, program manager of Environmental Sustainability at SAS, who will speak on the program’s partnership with the Town of Cary and how the community can get involved.
Government Vendor Network
April 24, 3-5 p.m. @iCenter
NC TECH’s Government Vendor Network is a forum for member firms who have an interest in doing business with state government.
DIG SOUTH Tech Summit
April 24-26 @Charleston Gaillard Center
A must-attend for entrepreneurs and technology industry representatives in the South, the DIG SOUTH Tech Summit in Charleston connects leading global brands like Oracle, IBM and Salesforce to the top scalable startups in the region. (More coverage here.)
Webinar: Raising the Awareness of Career Pathways
April 25, 9-10 a.m.
This monthly webinar covers career pathways and resources for employers, jobseekers or anyone interested in the process.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office China IP Road Show
April 25, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Duke, Sanford School of Public Policy
This event will cover some of the strategies for intellectual property protection in China, and what North Carolina businesses should know. The event includes participation from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s China Team, which works with businesses to understand how to obtain and enforce IP rights in China.
Moogfest 2019
April 25-28 in Durham
Moogfest is an annual festival centered around the synthesis of music, art and technology. Programming includes live music and performances, talks, art shows and installations, keynotes, workshops, masterclasses and more. More details and lineup here.
Ushering in the Era of Value-Based Care: Leveraging Health Data Analytics
April 26, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. @The Siena Hotel
UNC’s Carolina Health Informatics Program and Program on Health and Clinical Informatics are hosting their annual spring data analytics symposium, an immersive day of discussion surrounding data analytics, data acquisition, visualization and the future of healthcare.
The Swarm
April 27, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. @City Club Raleigh
myBeeHyve is hosting a day of presentations and trainings on concepts related to social media, graphic design, live video, auto-posting software and other marketing topics. Tickets include training, lunch, snacks and refreshments.
INTech Camp for Girls: Raleigh Mini-Camp
April 27, 9:45 a.m. – 2 p.m. @NC State University
INTech and NC State’s Minority Engineering Grad School Association are co-hosting an in-depth workshop complete with interactive engineering activities, engineering lab tours and a panel of engineering grad students. Registration includes lunch and snacks, an INTech T-shirt and a certificate of completion.
Mobile Technology in the Treatment of Addiction
April 29, 12-1 p.m. @Hanes House
Duke’s Mobile App Gateway is hosting a panel of clinicians and researchers to discuss how technology can be used to treat addiction and addiction-prone behaviors—particularly related to tobacco use, opioid use and pain management.
IACUC 2019 Conference
April 29-30 @NC Biotech Center
Hosted by the North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research and North Carolina Biotechnology Center, this conference intended for both new Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and seasoned members of animal care and use programs. The event features two days of presentations, panels and breakout sessions.
2019 State Energy Conference
April 30 – May 1 @McKimmon Conference & Training Center
This annual event offers actionable insight into the business of energy, technical innovation, diverse resources and industry opportunities to help drive North Carolina’s energy economy forward with national impact.
Midtown Techies: Meet Your Neighbors in Tech
April 30, 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.
