Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming events happening across North Carolina in February. 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 March events.
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 February—most have been switched to a virtual format due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
Spring 2021 NC IDEA SEED & MICRO Grant Applications Open
February 1
The NC IDEA Foundation is offering two grant opportunities for startups this season: NC IDEA MICRO provides $10,000 project-based grants to entrepreneurs looking to validate and advance their ideas. NC IDEA SEED provides $50,000 grants to early-stage companies, giving them the boost they need to scale faster. Applications for the spring 2021 cycle open on Feb. 1 and close on March 1.
Evolve Operations Bootcamp
February 2, 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.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 2, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
February 3, 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
February 3, 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.
NC Chamber Environmental Compliance Conference
February 3, 8:30-11:30 a.m. (online)
Environmental and safety compliance professionals are invited to join industry experts, the NC Chamber and NC Department of Environmental Quality for a discussion on regulatory issues and policies impacting air, water, waste and natural resources.
Halt the ‘Covid Slide’ & Support Working Women
February 3, 9-10 a.m. (online)
NC TECH is hosting a free webinar focused on the benefits of reacHIRE’s Aurora, a digital solution to help companies and organizations to engage and retain the women in their workforce.
1 Million Cups Wilmington
February 3, 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.
Networking in the World of 202ONE
February 3, 12-1 p.m. (online)
UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is hosting two entrepreneurs for a discussion on how they used networking to open new doors for their business.
Asheville Chamber Smart Series
February 3, 12-1 p.m. (online)
This month, Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s Smart Series webinar will feature a discussion on the role of gatekeepers as censors vs. impression managers.
Marketing Outside the Box: Create with Canva
February 3, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (online)
This month’s Marketing Outside the Box series, presented by the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, will cover the branding tools offered by Canva. Attendees will learn about the basics of the platform, its design features, social media integration, and more.
Packard Place Public House
February 3, 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.
Application Deadline: Launch Lab Growth Accelerator
February 3
LaunchGreensboro’s 14-week Launch Lab Growth accelerator program covers sales, capital acquisition, pitching to investors and other topics entrepreneurs need to know as they’re growing their businesses. Applications are currently open for the next cohort.
Jumpstart February: You’re Showing Up – But Are Your Talents?
February 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (online)
Flywheel Coworking’s Jumpstart February webinar will cover how to leverage your talents to lead a more fulfilling and purposeful career and life.
Small Business Roundtable: How to Create an Action Plan
February 4, 3-4 p.m. (online)
Forsyth Tech Community College’s Small Business Center is hosting an event offering best practices for developing and maintaining a successful business.
Asheville Chamber Business After Hours
February 4, 4-5 p.m. (online)
In this month’s Business After Hours event, the Asheville Chamber will celebrate the Eagle Market Street Development’s one-year reopening anniversary.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
February 5, 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.
Evolve Operations Bootcamp
February 9, 5-7 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.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 9, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
February 10, 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
February 10, 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
February 10, 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.
Virtual PitchBreakfast
February 10, 8:30-10 a.m. (online)
Every month, a handful of Charlotte-area companies headline PitchBreakfast, pitching their products and services for five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of entrepreneurs and experts. This month’s event will be held virtually.
1 Million Cups Wilmington
February 10, 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.
Marketing Outside the Box: Create with Canva
February 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (online)
This month’s Marketing Outside the Box series, presented by the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, will cover the branding tools offered by Canva. Attendees will learn about the basics of the platform, its design features, social media integration, and more.
Application Deadline: Ventureprise Launch NC IDEA Program (Spring 2021)
February 10
UNC Charlotte’s Ventureprise Launch NC IDEA Program helps entrepreneurs with customer discovery and business model development as they work to commercialize their innovations. Applications are now open for the spring 2021 cohort, which kicks off on Feb. 17.
Application Deadline: NCBiotech Translational Research Grant (2021 Cycle 2)
February 10
The NC Biotech Center’s Translational Research Grant program provides funding for projects exploring/developing commercial applications for university-held life science inventions. Applications are open for the next cycle of funding.
VentureSouth Wilmington Webinar
February 11, 12-1 p.m. (online)
In this webinar, VentureSouth Wilmington will cover the basics of angel investing, why you should invest with an angel group, and the post-pandemic investing environment.
HUSTLE Winston Salem: Black-Owned Table Talk
February 11, 6 p.m. (online)
HUSTLE Winston Salem is hosting a virtual event for Black business owners, by Black business owners, focused on how to grow and scale.
ReCONNECT for the Future: Virtual Emerging Issues Forum
February 15-18 (online)
The Institute for Emerging Issues’ next virtual ReCONNECT NC forum will cover ways to activate change on a local level in communities across North Carolina this year. More TechWire coverage here.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 16, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
STREAM 2021
February 16-17 (online)
This virtual tradeshow aims to help North Carolina and South Carolina manufacturers in the Greater Charlotte region to connect to new local suppliers.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
February 17, 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.
NC TECH CIO + IT Executive Roundtable
February 17, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)
In this virtual session, CISOs, VPs and director-level tech leaders at NC TECH member companies will discuss relevant topics and best practices in their field.
NC TECH CISO + IT Security Roundtable
February 17, 7:45-9 a.m. (online)
This online meeting convenes CISOs, VPs and director-level security leaders from NC TECH member companies. A roundtable discussion will focus on topics relevant to the field.
1 Million Cups Charlotte
February 17, 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
February 17, 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.
Marketing Outside the Box: Create with Canva
February 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (online)
This month’s Marketing Outside the Box series, presented by the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, will cover the branding tools offered by Canva. Attendees will learn about the basics of the platform, its design features, social media integration, and more.
National AgTech Forum
February 17, 4-5:30 p.m. (online)
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center, together with AgLaunch and AgStart, is hosting a series of monthly events with experts sharing their perspectives on key agtech industry topics. This month’s event will feature a discussion on the diversity of gene editing applications currently being used in agriculture and what role they will play in the future.
Packard Place Public House
February 17, 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.
LaunchLKN Coffee + Conversation
February 18, 8:30 a.m. @Summit Coffee
LaunchLKN is hosting an in-person, outdoor networking event at Summit Coffee in Davidson.
Application Deadline: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crowns of Enterprise Awards
February 19
The City of Charlotte’s Crowns of Enterprise Awards program honors small businesses that demonstrate leadership and strong business strategies. Award categories include: Certified Minority Business Enterprise of the Year, Certified Woman Business Enterprise of the Year, Certified Small Business Enterprise of the Year, Prime Contractor of the Year, and Diversity Advocate of the Year.
Application Deadline: ScaleUp WNC (10th Cohort)
February 21
Applications are open for the 10th cohort of ScaleUp WNC, a business development program for up to 15 regionally headquartered businesses. The cohort will kick off on March 23. More TechWire coverage here.
ElectriCities Connections Summit
February 22-26 (online)
ElectriCities is hosting a virtual conference to convene public power leaders, peers and organizations to share best practices, trends and solutions for the power industry.
Transforming Business in the Digital Age
February 23, 6-8 p.m.
Tech Talent South is hosting a panel of experts discussing the power of digital transformation and how it can be used to solve traditional problems.
SBTDC’s Taking the Leap Program
February 23, 6-8 p.m. (online)
This month, the Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting a four-week business development program for entrepreneurs. Participants will learn how to identify promising markets, write a business plan, run their finances and market their brand. (Classes will be conducted online simultaneously across six NC regions/cities: Asheville, the Triangle, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and the Triad.)
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
February 24, 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
February 24, 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
February 24, 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.
Marketing Outside the Box: Create with Canva
February 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (online)
This month’s Marketing Outside the Box series, presented by the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, will cover the branding tools offered by Canva. Attendees will learn about the basics of the platform, its design features, social media integration, and more.
NC Rural Center Homegrown Leaders Training
February 24-26 (online)
North Carolina Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders training program supports community leaders who are working to build regional collaboration across North Carolina. People who live or work in the following counties are eligible to apply: Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Johnston, Jones, Onslow, Sampson and Wayne.
