Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming events happening across North Carolina in January. 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 February events. 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 state-wide events through the end of January—most have been switched to a virtual format due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. 

Application Deadline: RIoT Accelerator Program (Spring 2021)

December 21

RIoT is accepting applications for the spring 2021 cohort of its 12-week RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP), which will run from February 17 to May 5 in Wilson. Applications are due at 5 p.m.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

December 23, 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

December 23, 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 Wilmington

December 23, 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.

Application Deadline: CED GRO 2021 Cohort

December 23

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development’s GRO program is a nine-week incubator that provides programming and coaching to high-growth tech and life science companies. The 2021 cohort will begin in February.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

December 30, 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

December 30, 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 Wilmington

December 30, 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.

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.

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 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.

Asheville Chamber Smart Series: Transparency & Authenticity

January 6, 12-1 p.m. (online)

Asheville Chamber’s next Smart Series event will focus on how company leaders can ensure employees feel that company interactions are authentic.

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.

Small Business Roundtable: How to Start Strong in 2021

January 7, 3-4 p.m. (online)

Forsyth Tech’s Small Business Center is hosting an event offering best practices for developing and maintaining a successful business.

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.

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.

Find Funding for Your Nonprofit

January 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (online)

In this virtual event, Forsyth Tech’s Small Business Center will show nonprofit organizations how to use Foundation Directory Online to research potential funding.

Evolve Operations Bootcamp

January 12, 5:30-7 p.m. (online)

Flywheel is hosting a five-week educational program covering management and operations for startup founders and C-suite employees. The course is tailored toward startups that have raised funding and are ready to scale their business operations.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

January 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.

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 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.

Business & Nonprofit Resources to Help You Succeed

January 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (online)

Forsyth Tech’s Small Business Center is hosting an event featuring free library resources that nonprofits can use to research competition, find trends in their industry, and identify sales prospects and sources of supply.

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.

Myths About Hiring Tech Talent

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

Tech Talent South Charlotte is hosting a panel of industry experts to discuss myths about hiring a tech workforce.

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.

Application Deadline: NC Rural Center Homegrown Leaders Training

January 15

North Carolina Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders training program, held virtually from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26, aims to support community leaders who are working to build regional collaboration across North Carolina. Eligible counties include Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Johnston, Jones, Onslow, Sampson and Wayne.

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.

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.

Evolve Operations Bootcamp

January 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

Flywheel is hosting a five-week educational program covering management and operations for startup founders and C-suite employees. The course is tailored toward startups that have raised funding and are ready to scale their business operations.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

January 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.

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 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, 5:15-6:30 p.m. (online) 

Every two weeks, Charlotte’s entrepreneurial community joins together virtually 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.

Evolve Operations Bootcamp

January 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

Flywheel is hosting a five-week educational program covering management and operations for startup founders and C-suite employees. The course is tailored toward startups that have raised funding and are ready to scale their business operations.

1 Million Cups Lake Norman

January 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 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 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.

Asheville Chamber WomanUP Celebration

January 28, 8:30-10:30 a.m. (online)

Asheville Chamber is kicking off 2021 with a virtual celebration of local women leaders. A keynote presentation and a series of awards will be presented.

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.