Events ‘on the horizon’ in January: An early look at next year’s NC tech calendar

Plenty of technology and life science events and deadlines are on tap for January.

If you’re interested in events coming up in the immediate future, check out our two-part list of:

These columns accompany our interactive calendar, along with a comprehensive resource package for startups in the Triangle.

Keeping up with WRAL TechWire’s ongoing initiative to track events happening across North Carolina, here’s a look at what’s to come in January 2021:

January 1, 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.

January 1, 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: RevTech Labs Class 14

January 2

Encompassing QC Fintech and RevTech Labs Insurtech, RevTech Labs is a 12-week accelerator for fintech and insurtech founders. The cohort gets access to a mentor network, capital infusion, info sessions with experts, and other opportunities.

Application Deadline: NC IDEA LABS

January 3

NC IDEA LABS is a four-week customer discovery program that helps idea-stage entrepreneurs take their first steps towards building a successful startup. The next cohort will run virtually from Feb. 1 to Feb. 26.

Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session

January 5, 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.

Duke MEDx Entrepreneurship Workshop Series

January 5, 7-10 p.m. (online)

Duke MEDx’s free Entrepreneurship Workshop Series features interactive talks from local experts. Events will be held on select Tuesdays and Thursdays via Zoom.

Cary Chamber Economic Forecast Breakfast

January 6, 7:30-9 a.m. @Prestonwood Country Club & online

This year’s Cary Chamber Economic Forecast Breakfast event will feature a discussion with NC State University economist Michael Walden, who will share his annual economic forecast update.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

January 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.

1 Million Cups Charlotte

January 6, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Held every week, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community.

1 Million Cups RTP

January 6, 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.

1 Million Cups Wilmington

January 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.

Cloud Adoption Strategies Webinar

January 6, 12-12:45 p.m. (online)

This webinar will cover strategies to help senior-level executives lead cloud adoption in their industries.

Packard Place Public House

January 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

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

NC Chamber Economic Forecast Forum

January, 7, 9-11:30 a.m. (online)

The NC Chamber and the NC Bankers Association are hosting the 19th Annual Economic Forecast Forum, bringing together influential leaders and stakeholders to discuss how North Carolina can become a leader in job retention, job creation and quality of life.

On the Menu: Creative Wellness

January 7, 12-1 p.m. (online)

FrontierRTP’s next On the Menu webinar will cover the world of creative practice for wellness. The session will feature research and insights on the benefits of creative wellness, and how to apply it.

Get2Know NC TECH Webinar

January 8, 9-9:30 a.m. (online)

This free monthly interactive webinar provides participants with an overview of NC TECH’s activities, resources and member offerings.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

January 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.

Application Deadline: Duke Student Founder Program (Spring 2021)

January 10

Open to all Duke students, this program provides experiential education, mentoring, a peer network, resources and small prototyping grants to individuals who are interested in creating a product or service, testing a pilot, and someday launching their own startup.

Application Deadline: 2021 Capital Connects Pitches

January 11

Launch Greensboro’s annual Capital Connects program will return virtually in March. Local companies are invited to apply to pitch in the program.

Launch 2021

January 12, 9-11:30 a.m. (online)

Raleigh Chamber’s Launch 2021 program will forecast upcoming trends in the economy, commercial real estate, economic development, hiring and talent.

Idea to Market: Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshops

January 12, 12-2 p.m. (online)

Duke University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative and First Flight Venture Center are hosting three seminars this month covering early-stage ideation, opportunity identification, and go-to-market strategies.

Triangle Biotech Tuesday

January 12, 5:15-7:30 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.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

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

1 Million Cups Charlotte

January 13, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Held every week, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community.

1 Million Cups Robeson County

January 13, 8-9 a.m. @Givens Performing Arts Center, UNC Pembroke

In this monthly event, entrepreneurs local to Robeson County will present their products/services to peers and network with the startup community.

1 Million Cups RTP

January 13, 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.

1 Million Cups Wilmington

January 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.

Packard Place Public House

January 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

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

Cyber Security Network: Where Are Your Risk Factors in Today’s Environment?

January 14, 9 a.m. (online)

NC TECH is hosting a virtual panel discussion with tech and cybersecurity leaders sharing how companies and organizations can safeguard their networks and data, while also managing remote devices.

Triangle Tech Net

January 15, 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.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

January 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.

Application Deadline: NC IDEA Internship For Under-Represented Student Entrepreneurs

January 15

The NC IDEA Foundation is offering a paid summer internship program for under-represented students, with the goal of helping to create a more diverse group of future entrepreneurs. Interested applicants have until Jan. 15 to submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: Accelerate 2021

January 15

Forsyth Tech Community College’s Small Business Center is kicking off a new business accelerator program on Feb. 1. Accelerate 2021 includes multiple mentoring sessions focused on areas such as cash flow projections, business and marketing plans, and customer transactions.

Talent Network: Not All Digital Transformations Are Created Equal

January 19, 9 a.m. (online)

NC TECH’s next Talent Network event will cover digital transformation strategies for businesses in 2020 and 2021.

Spacewalk 2021

January 19, 12-1:30 p.m. (online)

All Things Open’s second annual Spacewalk event returns in 2021 to feature a preview of ATO’s upcoming calendar, new initiatives and projects.

Idea to Market: Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshops

January 19, 12-2 p.m. (online)

NC TECH Government Vendor Network

January 19, 3-4 p.m. (online)

NC TECH’s Government Vendor Network is a forum for member companies that are interested in doing business with state government.

Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session

January 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (online)

Application Deadline: 2021 UNC Health Innovation Pilot Awards

January 19

UNC’s Center for Health Innovation provides pilot funding to UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine employees for innovations across a range of health care applications. As many as four awards of up to $50,000 each will be announced in March 2021.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

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

1 Million Cups Charlotte

January 20, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Held every week, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community.

Winston Starts Investor Forum 2021

January 20, 9 a.m. (online)

Winston Starts is hosting a virtual pitch event where four local startups will present their products/services to a panel of investors from across the country.

1 Million Cups RTP

January 20, 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.

1 Million Cups Wilmington

January 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.

Packard Place Public House

January 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

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

Apparo CIO Insights Forum Series

January 20, 5 p.m. (online)

From September 2020 to May 2021, Apparo will host a series of five forums featuring tech leaders discussing trending topics, business challenges and best practices for CIOs and other IT professionals.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

January 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.

Barber & Cosmetology Business Summit

January 25 (online)

This free virtual summit aims to inform barbers, natural hair practitioners and cosmetologists of the information, best practices and resources they can use to create a sustainable business in their profession.

Idea to Market: Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshops

January 26, 12-2 p.m. (online)

Downtown Techies Happy Hours @Midtown

January 26, 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.

Duke MEDx Entrepreneurship Workshop Series

January 26, 7-10 p.m. (online)

Duke MEDx’s free Entrepreneurship Workshop Series features interactive talks from local experts. Events will be held on select Tuesdays and Thursdays via Zoom.

Cary Chamber Breakfast with the Mayor

January 27, 7:30-9 a.m. @Prestonwood Country Club & online

Cary Chamber is hosting a breakfast event with Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, who will recap the last year’s happenings and preview what’s to come in 2021.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

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

1 Million Cups Charlotte

January 27, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Held every week, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community.

2021 Outlook for Tech

January 27, 8:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. (online)

NC TECH’s 2021 Outlook for Tech event will center around the theme: “So…What’s Next?” The program will include executive briefing presentations, the release of the NC STIR 2021 report, tech talks, CIO panel discussions and a preview of NC TECH’s next year or programming.

1 Million Cups RTP

January 27, 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.

1 Million Cups Wilmington

January 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.

Fireside Chat with Eric Happel

January 27, 12-1 p.m. (online)

Launch Chapel Hill and UNC’s Entrepreneurship Center are hosting a fireside chat with Nike retail strategy leader Eric Happel, who will share why he left Nike for a startup, his experience building a startup, and his later return to Nike with newfound experience.

Packard Place Public House

January 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

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

On the Menu: Transitioning to a Career in IT

January 28, 12-1 p.m. (online)

RTP’s On the Menu series returns virtually this month to cover the necessary steps to transition to a new career in IT.

Virtual NC HUB & NC DBE Certification Info Session

January 28, 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

January 29, 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.

UNCW CIE Dial-Up Disrupt

January 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: Pitch – A Competition for Black Student-Founders

January 29

Duke University and North Carolina Central University invite student entrepreneurs and recent alumni to showcase their businesses at pitch: A competition for Black student-founders. Participating entrepreneurs will present their startups and receive expert feedback from investors. Prize money will be awarded.

Application Deadline: 2021 FAST Cohort

January 31

In First Flight Venture Center’s FAST program, 35 live 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: Map the System Competition

January 31

Map the System is a pitch competition for social innovations focused on solving complex problems. Teams from UNC will compete for a cash prize of $500, funded by Innovate Carolina’s Dreamers-Who-Do Fund. Finalists will then take part in the global Map the System Challenge.

Application Deadline: Cabarrus Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Spark Grants

January 31

The Flywheel Foundation and the Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship are offering $5,000 grants to companies based in or adding jobs to Cabarrus County. Grant recipients can also use the Cabarrus Center’s coworking space at no charge for six months.