NC May event headliners: IGNITE, Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, LaunchCamp & more

Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming conferences, contests, workshops, application deadlines and socials happening across North Carolina in May.

Included are upcoming meetups, conferences, workshops, socials and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other areas across North Carolina.

This post is part of our weekly column of upcoming events. 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 June. 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.

Velocity 2019 Conference

May 5-7 @The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

MercuryGate International, Inc., a Cary-based provider of SaaS-based transportation management system solutions, will be hosting its Velocity Conference in Las Vegas, featuring over 40 informative sessions on topics affecting the transportation management industry.

Utility Analytics Summit

May 6-8 @Westin Charlotte

Join this conference to find out how utilities are using data and analytics to drive innovation in the industry.

National Small Business Week @Forsyth Tech Small Business Center

May 6-10 @Forsyth Tech Small Business Center

During Small Business Week, the North Carolina Community College Small Business Center Network and Forsyth Technical Community College are offering a number of special workshops and educational events for the community. See the full list here.

Davidson PitchBreakfast

May 7, 8-10 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson

In this monthly event, a group of three Davidson/Lake Norman-area companies will present their products and services for five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of experts. Breakfast and coffee provided.

Charlotte Healthcare Matchmaking

May 7, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. @Queens University Sports Complex

Join Healthtech Women in Charlotte for a day of networking, panels, workshops, presentations and a pitch competition featuring emerging innovations in healthcare technology.

Charlotte IoT Lunch & Learn: Concept to Delivery

May 7, 12-1 p.m. @The Launch Factory

Tim Sweet of DNA Group will lead a workshop guiding participants through the steps of design, prototyping, validation and launch for their products.

Winston-Salem M/WBE Mixer

May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Enterprise Center at S.G. Atkins CDC

At this free networking event, minority and woman-owned businesses can learn more about the opportunities to do business with local contractors in Winston-Salem. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Startup Grind Charlotte: An Evening w/ Tariq Bokhari

May 7, 6-8:30 p.m. @AvidXchange HQ

Startup Grind Charlotte is back, hosting a fireside chat with Tariq Bokhari, Charlotte City Councilman and founder of Carolina Fintech Hub.

Charlotte PitchBreakfast

May 8, 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.

Verna Miller Case Research & Creative Works Symposium

May 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Davidson College

This annual showcase features academic research, creative work and other projects developed by Davidson College students and faculty this year.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 8, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks

Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.

May On Tap: The Barking Deck

May 8, 5:30-8 p.m. @The Barking Deck

Join synerG and the Greensboro Jaycees for a social with local young professionals in Greensboro.

Talent Jam Charlotte: Startup Edition

May 8, 6-9 p.m. @Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts

Hosted by StartCharlotte, Talent Jam Charlotte connects local tech and creative talent with companies that need them. The event features dueling open-mic pitches from employers and jobseekers, plus a networking reception.

Spark Session, Featuring Michael Whelchel of Big Path Capital

May 9, 8-9 a.m. @Hatchworks Coworking

Join Venture Asheville and Hatch AVL for an engaging talk with Big Path Capital Managing Director Michael Welche.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 9, 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.

Idea Tap Davidson

May 9, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking – Davidson

Held by Flywheel at the HurtHub@Davidson once a month, the Idea Tap Davidson event series offers local entrepreneurs the opportunity to share their ideas through short pitch sessions and network with like-minded innovators in the community.

UNCW AI Meetup

May 9, 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.

Charlotte Biomedical 2019

May 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @UNC Charlotte Center City Building

UNC Charlotte’s Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science is hosting its annual symposium followed by a student poster competition. Representatives from Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Levine Cancer Institute, Cannon Research Center and OrthoCarolina Research Institute will present keynotes.

PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour

May 10, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider

The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.

Application Deadline: Real-Time Payments Buildathon

May 10

Carolina Fintech Hub and The Clearing House are teaming up to host a buildathon this summer in which startup teams are tasked with creating products/services to meet needs in one of four categories: B2B, consumer payments, next wave of digital native business and back-office improvement. The finalists will present their solutions at The Clearing House’s Payments Perspective Conference in New York City. Applications to the program are open until May 10.

LaunchLab Growth Demo Day

May 13, 5-7:30 p.m. @Co//ab

Hear about the latest innovations in the Triad at this pitch and demo event featuring Launch Lab Growth’s latest cohort.

IGNITE Innovation Week 2019

May 13-18, Lake Norman

This week-long innovation celebration is presented in partnership with the Town of Cornelius, Launch Lake Norman and the local business community. More details here.

Velocity Creative Accelerator Info Session (Asheville)

May 14, 12-1 p.m. @Venture Asheville

Velocity, a new 9-week accelerator from the Center for Creative Economy in Winston-Salem, delivers one-on-one online and in-person programming with mentors. Join this brief info session to learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due June 2.

RIoT XXXVI: IoT, Energy & Cleantech

May 14, 6-8 p.m. @Levine Museum of the New South

RIoT and Charlotte IoT are hosting a free event covering the latest projects, organizations and companies that are leading IoT’s expansion into the energy/cleantech sector.

RxIQ: Idea-a-Thon to Hack Healthcare

May 14, 6-8 p.m. @Hurt Hub@Davidson

Part of IGNITE Innovation Week, this free hackathon explorers the future of healthcare, giving participants a space to brainstorm solutions to problems in the healthcare space using machine learning, privacy-preservation technologies and other data-focused applications. No experience is necessary to participate.

VR Party

May 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join this event to explore VR tech hands-on—learn how it works, what it can do, and try it out for yourself.

Reach Your Customers Online with Google

May 15, 8:30-10:30 a.m. @Western Carolina University at Biltmore Park

Google’s Get Your Business Online program covers search engine optimization, online advertising, Google Analytics and Google Trends, among other important topics business owners need to know when advertising their brand online. This event is presented by the Small Business & Technology Development Center at Western Carolina University, Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Venture Asheville.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 15, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks

Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.

Velocity Creative Accelerator Info Session (Greensboro)

May 15, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Greensboro

Packard Place Public House

May 15, 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.

Spring Cleaning for Startups: Fireside Chat w/ 2ULaundry

May 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson

Startup Grind Davidson is hosting a fireside chat with Alex Smereczniak, CEO and co-founder of 2ULaundry, who will share his entrepreneurial journey, his experience in Techstars Atlanta and Wake Forest University’s entrepreneurship program, and lessons learned along the way.

Carolina Fintech Hub Monthly Meetup

May 16, 4-5 p.m. @Packard Place

The discussion theme for this month’s Carolina Fintech Hub meetup is on 5G. The event also features a live recording of the Fintech Moshpit.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 16, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant

Founders & Funders Happy Hour

May 16, 6-8 p.m. @204 North Kitchen and Cocktails

StartCharlotte is hosting an informal networking event for startup founders, investors and partners. Free beverages and hors d’oeuvres provided.

Women in Tech: Charlotte

May 17, 8:30-10:30 a.m. @Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theater

NC TECH is hosting a panel discussion on how the tech sector can expand its female workforce.

PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour

May 17, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider

The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.

LaunchCamp Tech

May 18-19

LaunchCamp Tech, sponsored by NC IDEA, is a weekend workshop covering business model frameworks, funnel-building strategies, design methods, and more related concepts. Applications are due May 4.

Energy Technology Series Featuring Cellwatch

May 20, 4:30-6 p.m. @UNC Charlotte – EPIC

Join energy professionals for a presentation on emerging energy technology from Cellwatch Frontier, a solution for rail, telecom and power utilities.

Lunch & Learn: Demystifying the Patent Process

May 21, 12-1 p.m. @The Launch Factory

At this lunch and learn, SotoIP Co-Founder and Patent Attorney John Sotomayor covers everything from patent type definitions and qualifications, to the application process, to building an IP portfolio.

2019 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards

May 22, 7:30-10 a.m. @UNCW Burney Center

UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal are co-hosting an awards program to spotlight the latest leaders and entrepreneurs in the Cape Fear region’s business community. (More coverage here.)

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 22, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks

Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Young Professionals Mixer

May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Bulla Gastrobar

Join the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance for the next YP networking event. Registration is $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 23, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant

PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour

May 24, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider

The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.

Cape Fear Women in Tech Meetup

May 28, 5:30-7 p.m. @tekMountain

Cape Fear Women in Tech’s next meetup features a talk with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Executive and Vice Chair of U.S. Women in Nuclear Jhansi Kandasamy.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 29, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks

Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.

Behind the Scenes: Silicon Valley, USA

May 29, 5-7:30 p.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson

LaunchLKN is hosting a talk with entrepreneur John East, previously of Fairchild Semiconductor and Actel. He’ll share his perspective on watching Silicon Valley grow to the status it has reached today.

Technical Resume Writing Workshop

May 29, 7-8:30 p.m.

Tech Talent South is hosting a free resume writing workshop where a seasoned IT professional will provide tips for success.

Skookum Volcano Tour

May 30, 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.

NEWilm Event, Featuring Bronto Software Co-Founder Joe Colopy

May 30, 4-7 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery

For its next event, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington will host a conversation with Joe Colopy, co-founder of Bronto Software, who will share his entrepreneurial journey and latest work as the founder of GrepBeat.