Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming events happening across North Carolina in May. Included are the latest meetups, conferences, workshops, application deadlines and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other parts of the state.

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 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 submit an event, feel free to send me an email.

Note: The following list is our lineup of Triangle events through the end of May—most have been switched to a virtual format due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. 

Venture Connect Summit 2020 (Online)

May 4 (online)

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development is bringing its flagship Venture Connect Summit online—tech and life science companies will pitch their products and participate in virtual sessions in multiple installments this month. More TechWire coverage here.

Application Deadline: City of Winston-Salem Small Business Plan Competition

May 4

The City of Winston-Salem’s Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement is hosting its sixth Business Plan Competition, in which winners can receive grants and micro-loans for starting up their business.

Asheville Small Business Week: Salute to Small Business

May 4-7 (online)

This year’s Asheville Small Business Week will center around the theme “Salute to Small Business,” focused on how the community can work together to overcome the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CIO + IT Executive Roundtable

May 5, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)

In this virtual session, IT leaders at NC TECH member companies will discuss relevant topics and best practices in their field.

Tech Slam ‘N Eggs

May 5, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Presented by Flywheel Coworking and hosted by Benekiva CEO Bobbie Shrivastav, this event will feature live technology demos from Triad-area startups.

Velocity Creative Accelerator Info Session for Wilmington Creatives

May 5, 10:45-11:45 a.m. (online)

Join this virtual info session to learn more about Winston-Salem’s Velocity Creative Accelerator, a nine-week mentorship program for creatives. Applications are due June 7.

Grant Seeking/Grant Writing 101: Part 1

May 5, 6-7 p.m. (online)

This seminar will show small business owners how to identify grant opportunities, establish relationships with funding sources and structure a successful grant proposal. Part 2 of this event will be held on May 7.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

May 6, 7:30-9 a.m. (online)

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.

CISO + IT Security Executive Roundtable

May 6, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)

This online meeting will convene CISOs, VPs and director-level security leaders from NC TECH member companies.

1 Million Cups Charlotte

May 6, 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 Wilmington

May 6, 9-10 a.m. (online)

This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 6, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing

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

Venture Carolina Lunch & Learn: Sidecar Funds

May 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (online)

Venture Carolina is hosting a webinar covering sidecar funds, a method that angel investors can use to fund early-stage companies. The discussion will feature managing directors from VentureSouth.

Packard Place Public House

May 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual) 

Every Wednesday, Packard Place is hosting a virtual gathering with Charlotte’s tech community. Join for networking and conversations over drinks.

Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Matthews)

May 6, 6-8 p.m. @Black Chicken Wine Cellar

The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members in Matthews.

PayCLT: Dave Hunkele, FinTech & Banking – Observations for 2020

May 7, 8-9 a.m. (online)

For its next virtual event, PayCLT is hosting a talk with Kreativelabs Consulting CEO and Founder Dave Hunkele on issues impacting the fintech industry.

Rural Talk: An Advocacy Speaker Series

May 7, 11 a.m. (online)

In this webinar series, leaders from public, private and nonprofit sectors will discuss key issues affecting rural communities in North Carolina. Topics include broadband, entrepreneurship, small business development, housing, water, infrastructure and more.

MISSION-R Launch: First Response Entrepreneurs Combat COVID-19

May 7, 1-2 p.m. (online)

Join this virtual session to meet the six teams selected for RIoT’s new MISSION-R program. Hear their ideas on how they’re using technology to address COVID-19 response.

Overcoming Adversity: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

May 7, 5-6 p.m. (online)

Join two entrepreneurs-in-residence at East Carolina University for a conversation on dealing with adversity in business.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 7, 5-8 p.m. (online)

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.

Grant Seeking/Grant Writing 101: Part 2

May 7, 6-7 p.m. (online)

This seminar will show small business owners how to identify grant opportunities, establish relationships with funding sources and structure a successful grant proposal. Part 1 of this event takes place on May 5.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

May 8, 12-1 p.m. (online)

UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is hosting a weekly discussion where members of the community share their ideas for innovative products/services.

Greensboro LaunchLab Growth Spring Demo Day

May 11, 5-6 p.m. (online)

Launch Greensboro is hosting a demo day for the eight companies in its 14-week LaunchLab Growth Accelerator. Join to hear virtual pitches from the cohort.

Venture Connect Summit 2020 (Online)

May 11 (online)

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development is bringing its flagship Venture Connect Summit online—tech and life science companies will pitch their products and participate in virtual sessions in multiple installments this month. More TechWire coverage here.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

May 13, 7:30-9 a.m. (online)

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.

PitchBreakfast Pitch Your Pivot Challenge (Round 2)

May 13, 8:45-10:15 a.m. (online)

PitchBreakfast’s Pitch Your Pivot Challenge returns for round two, in which four companies will present how they’re adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. Funding of over $5,000 will be rewarded.

1 Million Cups Wilmington

May 13, 9-10 a.m. (online)

This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 13, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing

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

Accelerating Innovation: NCATS Funding for Biotech & Life Science Small Businesses

May 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (online)

Join this webinar to learn more about the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and how to get R&D funding through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.

Packard Place Public House

May 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual) 

Every Wednesday, Packard Place is hosting a virtual gathering with Charlotte’s tech community. Join for networking and conversations over drinks.

Rural Talk: An Advocacy Speaker Series

May 14, 11 a.m. (online)

In this webinar series, leaders from public, private and nonprofit sectors will discuss key issues affecting rural communities in North Carolina. Topics include broadband, entrepreneurship, small business development, housing, water, infrastructure and more.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 14, 5-8 p.m. (online)

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.

Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Southpark)

May 14, 6-8 p.m. @Rooster’s Southpark

The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members.

Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Cornelius)

May 14, 6-8 p.m. @D9 Brewing Company

The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members in Cornelius.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

May 15, 12-1 p.m. (online)

UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is hosting a weekly discussion where members of the community share their ideas for innovative products/services.

Ice House Entrepreneurship Workshop

May 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – West Boulevard

In this free workshop, participants will learn how to adopt and apply the entrepreneurial mindset in their lives.

Application Deadline: Asheville Impact Micro Grant Fund

May 17

Venture Asheville has opened up applications for its second annual Impact Micro Grant program, which will provide $5,000 in funding (each) to five promising startups in the Asheville area.

Venture Connect Summit 2020 (Online)

May 18 (online)

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development is bringing its flagship Venture Connect Summit online—tech and life science companies will pitch their products and participate in virtual sessions in multiple installments this month. More TechWire coverage here.

Tech Talent South Future of Work Panel

May 19, 7-9 p.m. (online)

Tech Talent South is hosting a panel with industry experts discussing workforce trends likely to shape the future.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

May 20, 7:30-9 a.m. (online)

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.

Virtual Tech Job Fair

May 20, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online) 

NC TECH’s Job Fair series connects local tech talent to the companies and organizations looking to hire in the community. This Spring, the event will be held online, with companies hosting “virtual hiring rooms.”

1 Million Cups Wilmington

May 20, 9-10 a.m. (online)

This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 20, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing

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

Packard Place Public House

May 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (virtual) 

On the third Wednesday of every month, the Queen City’s entrepreneurial community joins together for an evening of networking and connections over drinks.

Rural Talk: An Advocacy Speaker Series

May 21, 11 a.m. (online)

In this webinar series, leaders from public, private and nonprofit sectors will discuss key issues affecting rural communities in North Carolina. Topics include broadband, entrepreneurship, small business development, housing, water, infrastructure and more.

Venture Café Thursday Gathering

May 21, 5-8 p.m. (online)

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 CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

May 22, 12-1 p.m. (online)

UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is hosting a weekly discussion where members of the community share their ideas for innovative products/services.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

May 27, 7:30-9 a.m. (online)

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 Wilmington

May 27, 9-10 a.m. (online)

This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.

1 Million Cups Asheville

May 27, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing

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

Rural Talk: An Advocacy Speaker Series

May 28, 11 a.m. (online)

In this webinar series, leaders from public, private and nonprofit sectors will discuss key issues affecting rural communities in North Carolina. Topics include broadband, entrepreneurship, small business development, housing, water, infrastructure and more.

Skookum Volcano Tour

May 28, 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 28, 5-8 p.m. (online)

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.

NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Development & Commercialization Strategy

May 29, 1-4:30 p.m. (online)

The NC Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a SBIR/STTR workshop for university faculty who are developing proposals for the program.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

May 29, 12-1 p.m. (online)

UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is hosting a weekly discussion where members of the community share their ideas for innovative products/services.

Application Deadline: New Ventures Accelerator [EXTENDED]

May 31

New Ventures is currently accepting applicants for its latest accelerator cohort. Companies accepted into the three-month program receive a residency at Flywheel Coworking, acceptance into Winston Starts’ Explore Program, mentorship, and access to top investors in the Triad and beyond. The accelerator culminates in a competition where an average of $50,000 in funding is awarded per startup. (NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, New Ventures has rescheduled the accelerator to August. The application deadline is now extended to May 31.)