Keeping track with our initiative to spotlight North Carolina startup and tech events, WRAL TechWire’s weekly “Headliners” column is now divided into two parts—inside and outside the Triangle.
Following is a list of May meetups, conferences, workshops, socials and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Piedmont Triad, and other areas throughout North Carolina.
To find out what’s happening this month in the Triangle, check out this post.
Another post previews hot events coming up in June, accompanied by a preview of the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit at the Charlotte Convention Center. Recurring monthly meetups are also featured in a separate post.
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.
Certified Global Business Professional Workshop at UNCW
May 21-22 @UNCW Swain Center
In this workshop, participants will learn the knowledge and skills needed to compete in today’s marketplace with a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential.
Connect X & Autonomous Vehicles
May 21-24 @Charlotte Convention Center
The Connectivity Expo (Connect X) showcases the latest innovative connectivity solutions driving the future of communications. Sessions will cover a range of topics, from private LTE networks to macro cells to innovations in infrastructure to connected property. Keynote speakers represent industry-leading companies including Dish, Verizon, NASCAR and AWS.
2018 TECH CEO Online Auction
May 22, 12 p.m. – May 24, 12 p.m.
Register as a bidder for the NC TECH Association’s exclusive online auction, which offers the opportunity to win one-on-one meetings with executives at North Carolina tech companies. Note: Participants must register and be an employee of an NC TECH member company to join the online auction.
Collider Lunch & Learn: Startup Killers (And How to Avoid Them)
May 22, 12-1 p.m. @The Collider
At this workshop, serial entrepreneur and angel investor Tom Ryan will provide an overview of the most common sales landmines and offer tips on how to deal with them.
Startup Grind Triad: Female Founders Month Fireside Chat Part 2
May 22, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking
In celebration of Female Founder’s Month, the newly expanded Startup Grind Triad is hosting two fireside chats featuring Tech Talent South CEO and Co-Founder Betsy Idilbi. Part 1 was in Davidson on May 17, and this event will be part 2.
1 Million Cups Asheville
May 23, 9-10:30 a.m. @RISC Networks (Asheville Social Hall)
Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear local startups’ pitches and support one another in continuing to grow. For this week’s event, 1 Million Cups Asheville will feature a presentation from local startup Atbay.
RIoT XXV – Smart Cities of the South
May 23, 5-7:30 p.m. @Charlotte Convention Center
RIoT’s 25th event is all about how public/private partnerships are adopting Internet of Things to revolutionize parking, transit and other areas of public importance. Food and drinks will be provided.
BLKTECHCLT + OFO Bike BBQ & Giveaway
May 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @BLKTECHCLT HQ
BLKTECHCLT is celebrating a new partnership with bike-sharing service OFO Bike. Come for some drinks and BBQ and a live demo to hear more about OFO’s expansion across Charlotte.
Tech Talent South Charlotte: Change on a Whiteboard
May 23, 6-7:30 p.m. @Advent Coworking
At this event, Jessica Bronzert, former Director of Change Execution at Lowe’s and current Founder and CEO of The Sparks Group, will detail the key factors and principles impacting success and failure in major business transformations.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
May 24, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant in Winston-Salem
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: Innovate Charlotte Pilot Program
May 28
Innovate Charlotte, an arm of the Charlotte Regional Fund for Entrepreneurship, is seeking applicants for its upcoming pilot program, which aims to serve entrepreneurs looking to bring their startups to the next level. Five companies will be admitted to the three-month mentorship program.
Collider Lunch & Learn: Guerrilla Usability
May 29, 12-1 p.m. @The Collider in Asheville
Learn all about Guerilla Usability studies at this workshop hosted by The Collider and led by Dave Michelson, an applied research software designer at UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center.
Plug-In NC Spring Summit
May 30, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @Piedmont Triad Regional Council in Kernersville
Plug-In NC’s upcoming summit will update attendees with the latest electric vehicle activities across North Carolina. Guest speakers Proterra Sales Director Eric Reynolds and City of Greensboro Transportation Director Adam Fischer will share details on local electric bus programs.
Hatch AVL Pitch Party
May 30, 6-8 p.m. @Hatch AVL
Entrepreneurs are invited to test and develop their pitch at this monthly event hosted by Hatch AVL. Presenters will receive helpful feedback from the audience, and the best-voted pitch will land a spot at 1 Million Cups Asheville.
Skookum Volcano Tour
May 31, 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
May 31, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant in Winston-Salem
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: NC TECH Betsy Y. Justus NC TECH Founders Scholarship
May 31
Established in memory of the founding CEO of the NC TECH Association, the Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship supports young women who are pursuing an academic and career path in technology and engineering. The scholarship is offered on an annual basis. Two selected students will receive $4,000 and a Lenovo computer.
