WRAL TechWire keeps tabs on the latest and greatest meetups, panels, workshops, conferences, application deadlines and all things happening in the North Carolina startup/tech world. “The Headliners” is a multi-part weekly roundup of upcoming events to add to your calendar.

Following is a list of February events in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle area. To find out what’s happening this month in cities outside of the Triangle, check out part two of the “Headliners” column. Another post highlights events coming up in March. Meetups that occur regularly are listed here.

If you’d like your event to be included, feel free to send me an email.

Also, check out a full range of events on TechWire’s interactive calendar, along with our comprehensive resource guide for startups in the Triangle.

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

SolonTek VALKERIE Product Launch & Demo

February 15, 3-5 p.m. (online)

RTP-based startup SolonTek is hosting a product launch and demo of its VALKERIE Beta MVP, a new platform that can work as a small business suite for scanning, monitoring and managing patching.

Application Deadline: 2021 First Flight FAST Cohort

February 15

In First Flight Venture Center’s FAST program, 35 life 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: Innovate Durham 2021

February 15

Innovate Durham, a startup program run by the City and County of Durham, allows entrepreneurs to use local government resources to test their products and ideas. Applications for the fourth cohort of the program (running virtually) are open now.

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.

NCBiotech Life Sciences Marketing Group: Agile Marketing

February 16, 12-1 p.m. (online)

NCBiotech’s next Life Sciences Marketing Group event will cover how marketers are adopting agile strategies to boost their productivity in producing valuable marketing deliverables.

AMA Triangle DEI Workshop: Defining Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

February 16, 4-6 p.m. (online)

AMA Triangle is hosting a series of events on defining unconscious and conscious biases, the role of DEI in the workplace, how diversity affects the bottom line, and how to implement DEI best practices both personally and professionally.

Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session

February 16, 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.

Ellevate Webinar: How To Be an Antiracist Ally w/ Raven Solomon

February 16, 6-7 p.m. (online)

The Triangle chapter of Ellevate is hosting a webinar on how to activate antiracist allyship in everyday professional and personal life.

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.)

Black Dollar NC Fireside Chat & Brand Building

February 16, 6:30-8 p.m. (online)

Raleigh Chamber is hosting a panel of branding experts to discuss the foundations of effective branding and how it impacts small businesses. Speakers include: Creative Allies CEO Amie Thompson, Image Consulting & Personal Branding Company CEO Mia LaMotte, and Black Dollar CEO Johnny Hackett.

Application Deadline: LaunchDURHAM

February 16

Helius is seeking applicants for its next cohort of LaunchDURHAM, a 10-week training program in which participants will learn how to refine their product, find and reach core customers, use financial tools, and navigate the fundraising process.

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 RTP

February 17, 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.

NC4ME Virtual Hiring Event

February 17, 9:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. (online)

NC4ME is hosting a virtual hiring event to convene recruiters and hiring managers with veterans, transitioning service members, guard/reserves and military spouses.

How To Revive a Dead Slide

February 17, 12-12:30 p.m. (online)

American Underground is hosting a virtual interactive workshop on how to make your presentation slides more engaging and memorable.

Making Sensor Data Accessible to Drive Actionable Insights

February 17, 1-2 p.m. (online)

This virtual lunch and learn will cover how Bayer Digital Pest Management went to market with a platform to support digital remote monitoring.

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.

NC State Alumni Entrepreneurs Network Speaker Series

February 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (online)

NC State’s Alumni Entrepreneurs Network is hosting a webinar with a panel of alumni entrepreneurs and innovators, including Danielle McNeillie Armstrong of Red Hat, Quinten Farmer of Even and Hersh Tapadia of Allstacks.

Raleigh Chamber Community Success Forum

February 18, 9-11 a.m. (online)

Raleigh Chamber is hosting a free webinar covering the opportunities and challenges related to the sustainability of the local community. The forum will share how the business community can create a more prosperous community for all.

Tips from the Trenches: Preparing to (Re)Design Your Website

February 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)

This webinar will feature design and SEO tips, tricks and insights to help attendees prepare for their next website design/redesign.

Town of Cary Innovation: During the Pandemic & Beyond

February 18, 12-1 p.m. (online)

Cary Chamber’s next Business of Women series will feature Town of Cary Chief Technology Officer Nicole Raimundo, who will discuss the transition to an online workforce and how Cary is becoming more efficient through the use of technology.

How DEI Is Transforming Venture Capital & Private Equity

February 18, 12-1 p.m. (online)

This free webinar will host panelists from the venture capital, private equity and startup arenas to share DEI best practices and business results.

Duke Startup Connect Networking Fair

February 18, 3-7 p.m. (online)

This online networking event will convene Duke students with representatives of startups that are hiring new talent.

RIoT + Raleigh Founded’s Annual State of the Region Address

February 18, 4-6 p.m. (online)

The annual State of the Region Address from RIoT and Raleigh Founded is back for its fourth year. RIoT Executive Director Tom Snyder will discuss recent changes and growth in the Triangle, and what comes next.

First Flight Venture Center Companies Discuss their Runway to Success

February 18, 4-7 p.m. (online)

This webinar, hosted by the North Carolina Life Sciences Virtual Networking Group, will feature a discussion with three First Flight Venture Center companies at different lifecycle stages.

RTP180: Equity

February 18, 6-7 p.m. (online)

This month’s virtual RTP180 will feature local experts discussing the topic of equity from different angles.

Beginning to Pitch Perfect Workshop

February 19, 2 p.m. (online)

NC State’s Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs is hosting an interactive, virtual workshop for anyone who needs feedback on their pitch.

Pearl Hacks 2021

February 19-21 (online)

Pearl Hacks, a three-day hackathon held every year at UNC Chapel Hill, is an opportunity for women and non-binary students to explore technology in a supportive environment.

TriWiSTEM Virtual Fitness & Networking

February 20, 9:45-11 a.m. (online)

Triangle Women in STEM is hosting a virtual networking event and exercise session, free to both members and non-members.

The Real Cost of Fiber

February 22, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (online)

In this virtual event, a panel of experts will discuss the short-term vs. long-term costs and opportunities of deploying fiber networks.

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.

Raleigh Chamber Networking 101

February 23, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Raleigh Chamber is hosting a virtual event to help local professionals build their networking skills with advice from human resources experts.

AMA Triangle DEI Workshop: Impact of Unconscious Bias

February 23, 4-6 p.m. (online)

This event is the second in AMA Triangle’s three-part workshop series focusing on defining unconscious and conscious biases.

RIoT 50: Examining Accessibility Through Two Lenses

February 23, 4:30-6 p.m. (online)

In this virtual event, RIoT and The Diversity Movement will tackle DEI challenges and opportunities in the tech industry.

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.)

Downtown Techies Happy Hours @Midtown

February 23, 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.

Cary Chamber Eye Opener Series

February 24, 8-9 a.m. (online)

Cary Chamber’s next Eye Opener Series webinar will feature COVID-19 updates from NC DHHS Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley and chief medical officers from WakeMed, Duke and UNC REX hospitals.

1 Million Cups RTP

February 24, 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.

IoT Connectivity Solutions with Murata & Arrow Electronics

February 24, 1-2 p.m. (online)

RIoT is hosting a lunch and learn covering Murata Wireless Solutions for WI-Fi/ BT/ BLe and Combo modules, CAT M1/ NB IoT, Lora and SIgFox modules.

Continuing the Conversation: Diversity & Inclusion Panel Part 2

February 24, 6-7:30 p.m. (online)

HBA RTP is hosting a panel discussion focused on social justice, equality, inclusion and more topics. The panel members from part one of the series will return, joined by some new faces as well.

Duke Sustainable Business & Social Impact Conference

February 24 (online)

Duke University’s 16th annual Sustainable Business and Social Impact Conference will convene students, professionals, private-sector executives and nonprofit leaders to discuss entrepreneurship for good, healthcare access and equity, purpose-driven consulting, corporate activism, and more.

PowerAmerica 2021 Annual Meeting

February 24-25 (online)

PowerAmerica’s annual conference, held virtually this year, convenes a large audience of wide bandgap professionals.

Raleigh Chamber Courageous Conversation

February 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)

Raleigh Chamber’s next Courageous Conversation event will feature a discussion on the intersection of Generation Z and race equity.

Triangle Virtual IT Career Expo

February 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (online)

NCWorks is hosting a virtual IT career expo to connect job seekers with top tech employers in the Triangle region.

Grow Your Business With Google Series

February 25, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)

This webinar will show participants how to ensure their customers can find accurate and updated information about their business on Google Search and Google Maps.

TriWiSTEM: Intro to Amplify Your Voice

February 25, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)

TriWiSTEM’s next meetup will feature an interactive discussion from two speakers: Speak & Own It Communications CEO and Founder Casey Carpenter and Martha Gleason Voice Owner Martha Gleason.

Virtual NC HUB & NC DBE Certification Info Session

February 25, 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.

Duke Sustainability Board Sustainable Cities Symposium

February 26, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (online)

This virtual symposium will include expert panels and individual presentations from professionals in city government, consulting, academia and private industry covering sustainable urban development topics.

Triangle Tech Net

February 26, 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.

Application Deadline: Wake Tech Rally Fund

February 26

Wake Tech’s Small Business Rally Fund aims to help 17 small businesses in Wake County that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards will be granted in $2,000 increments.