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 March 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 April. 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 March—most have been switched to a virtual format due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
Application Deadline: NC IDEA SEED & MICRO Grants (Spring 2021)
March 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.
Application Deadline: NC State Sweat Equity Challenge
March 1
NC State’s Sweat Equity Challenge is an app idea competition for undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty/staff, who will receive customer/market feedback to validate their ideas, develop a prototype, launch a startup and begin looking for funding to help take their business to the next level.
Using Jenkins to Build, Deploy & Automate
March 2, 12-1:30 p.m. (online)
This virtual workshop, hosted by All Things Open RTP, will cover the basics of setting up a Jenkins project, configuration options, customization, and more.
AMA Triangle DEI Workshop: Multicultural Marketing Strategies
March 2, 4-6 p.m. (online)
This event is the third event in AMA Triangle’s three-part workshop series focusing on defining unconscious and conscious biases.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 2, 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.
How to Find, Lease & Use the Right Commercial Space
March 2, 6:30-8 p.m. (online)
Wake Tech’s Small Business Center is hosting a virtual workshop on how businesses can find an office or retail space that’s right for them.
Duke MEDx Entrepreneurship Workshop Series
March 2, 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.
Bass Connections Works in Progress Symposium
March 2 (online)
The inaugural Bass Connections Works in Progress Symposium will feature short presentations from teams of Duke students tackling research related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Urban Land Institute Carolinas Meeting
March 2-3 (online)
Hosted by ULI Charlotte, ULI South Carolina and ULI Triangle, this virtual meeting will bring together every sector of the real estate market to network and collaborate with the top speakers and leaders in the industry.
Cary Development Projects: Downtown & All-Around
March 3, 8-9 a.m. (online)
Cary Chamber is hosting a webinar with Town of Cary Director of Economic Development Ted Boyd, who will share updates on current and future projects in and around the downtown area.
1 Million Cups RTP
March 3, 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.
Kenan-Flagler Dean’s Speaker Series: Darren Walker
March 3, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (online)
This webinar, hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Dean Doug Shackelford, will feature a discussion with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker.
Boot Camps at UNC-Chapel Hill Virtual Demo Day
March 3, 12-1:30 p.m. (online)
UNC Chapel Hill’s Boot Camp program is hosting a demo day featuring digital marketing, coding and data presentations.
Lunch & Learn: The Serverless Approach to the Edge
March 3, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn will feature a presentation from James Thomason, the CTO and co-founder of the intelligent edge computing platform EDJX.
Strategic Patent Protection: Why & How It Matters
March 3, 3-4 p.m. (online)
In this virtual lunch and learn, SotoIP Founder and Principal John Sotomayor will share case studies and tips on how businesses can protect their IP for new products and services.
Joules Accelerator Cohort 7 Graduation
March 4, 10:30-11:45 a.m. (online)
At this virtual event, the Joules Accelerator will graduate its seventh cohort of startups. Additionally, David Kirkpatrick of SJF Ventures and Danny Cotter of The Westly Group will discuss cleantech, sustainability and the future of energy innovation.
Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset as a PhD Student
March 4, 12-1 p.m. (online)
This online event will discuss how PhD students can build an intellectual community, refine their research topics, work with faculty members and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset beyond their PhD program.
SBIR/STTR R&D Funding Introduction
March 4, 2-3 p.m. (online)
Join the North Carolina Small Business & Technology Development Center for a detailed overview of the SBIR/STTR federal R&D funding mechanisms for small businesses.
Cary Chamber Business Breakouts
March 4, 4-5 p.m. (online)
Cary Chamber’s Business Breakouts program returns this month with another virtual networking event. Members will be split into breakout groups to discuss different topics.
Ellevating Together Series
March 4, 6-7 p.m. (online)
The Triangle chapter of Ellevate is hosting a roundtable discussion featuring women at all career stages.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
March 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.
The Intersection of COVID-19: Moving in a New Direction
March 5, 12-1:30 p.m. (online)
The RTP/Southeast Region Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association is celebrating International Women’s Day with a panel of healthcare experts from IQVIA, Pfizer, UNC Rex Healthcare, and the NC Council for Women and Mental Health, who will share data points and lessons learned in the COVID-19 pandemic so far.
Application Deadline: Duke-UNICEF Innovation Accelerator
March 5
For its next cohort, the Duke-UNICEF Innovation Accelerator is seeking social ventures working in or across Africa to deploying innovative sanitation and hygiene products and/or services.
On the Menu: Zoom Like an Actor
March 8, 12-1 p.m. (online)
In this month’s On the Menu workshop, attendees will learn how to build authentic connections through Zoom. They’ll also participate in mock interviews to practice what they learned.
2021 RTP’s Women in Leadership
March 8, 2-3 p.m. (online)
The Research Triangle Foundation is celebrating International Women’s Day with a virtual panel of local women leaders discussing their proudest moments, working in the Triangle, COVID-19 challenges and succeeding in a virtual format.
RIoT Your Reality Challenge Kickoff Event
March 8, 1-2:30 p.m. (online)
Join this virtual event to learn how you can win up to $40,000 in prizes and a place in the RIoT Accelerator Program by solving real-world problems while creating a sustainable business using augmented reality. RIoT Your Reality Challenge applications are due on March 31.
Raleigh Chamber We Connect
March 8, 5:30-7 p.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber’s next We Connect event will discuss Asian-American owned businesses in the Triangle and the critical role they play in contributing to the local economy.
Talent Network: Unique Ways to Fill Your Talent Pipeline
March 9, 9-10 a.m. (online)
NC TECH is hosting a panel discussion covering the many resources and ideas local organizations are exploring to fill their talent pipeline.
8(a) Business Development Program
March 9, 9-11 a.m. (online)
The North Carolina District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a webinar on how local businesses can use the 8(a) certification to enter the government contracting arena.
Raleigh Chamber Professional Women’s Luncheon
March 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber’s next Professional Women’s Luncheon will feature a panel of business leaders sharing their leadership journeys and achievements, and discussing the importance of empowerment and advancement for all women.
Launch & Learn: Developing a Minimum Viable Product
March 9, 12-1 p.m. (online)
The Small Business & Technology Development Center’s Business Launch initiative helps entrepreneurs to evaluate their idea, create a business model around it and launch a business. Learn more in this webinar.
Triangle Biotech Tuesday
March 9, 6-7:30 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.
18th Annual Wilson Online Caregiver Conference
March 9 (online)
This online conference will explore how dementia care partnering has been impacted by the pandemic and lessons learned in the process.
2021 NC Main Street Virtual Conference
March 9-11 (online)
The 20th annual NC Main Street Conference, presented virtually this year, will cover the future of North Carolina downtowns, marketing efforts, events, community-building, and more, in 2021.
1 Million Cups RTP
March 10, 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.
RIoT & IIC: Virtual IoT Fast Pitch
March 10, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. (online)
The Industrial Internet Consortium’s Innovation Task Group and RIoT are hosting a pitch competition featuring emerging IoT startups and their technologies.
Virtual Lunch & Learn: The Evolution of IoT
March 10, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn will cover how IoT has evolved over the last decade, and the pros and cons of the latest platforms and technologies.
Fidelity 5 Money Musts for Soon-to-Be College Grads & Young Professionals
March 10, 6-7 p.m. (online)
Triangle Women in STEM is hosting a webinar offering financial strategies from Fidelity experts. The session will cover budget, credit, debt, investing and retirement.
Application Deadline: 1789 Venture Fund + Launch Summer Accelerator
March 10
UNC student entrepreneurs are welcome to apply to the new joint 1789 Student Venture Fund + Launch Chapel Hill accelerator summer program. Applications open on March 2.
Application Deadline: NCBiotech Flash Grant Proposals (Cycle 3)
March 10
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is accepting proposals for the next round of its Flash Grant program, which funds innovative research ideas in life science. Up to $20,000 may be requested for short, highly focused projects.
Duke I&E Academy Research Translation & Commercialization Series
March 11, 12 p.m. (online)
Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s multi-part Research Translation & Commercialization Workshop Series will cover strategy and business plan development, venture deals, managing a team and launching a venture.
Genius Makers Launch Event: With Cade Metz of the NYT & Jes Lipson
March 11, 12-1 p.m. (online)
In this webinar, Raleigh Founded Co-Founder Jes Lipson and New York Times technology correspondent Cade Metz will discuss Metz’s new book, Genius Makers.
Fireside Chat with AMA Triangle: Olympia & Jasmine
March 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (online)
AMA Triangle is hosting a virtual networking meetup led by two AMA Triangle board members. Participation will be capped at 10 total.
Triangle Tech Net
March 12, 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.
Wake Tech Small Business Center Pre-Launch Series
March 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)
Wake Tech’s Small Business Center is hosting a three-part virtual workshop series on how to develop a strong business plan.
Momentum Spring Student Presentation Day
March 12, 12-1 p.m. (online)
In this virtual event, Momentum’s latest cohort of software developers will showcase their final projects and take questions from a panel of industry experts.
One Year Later: Vaccine Manufacturing & Research Panel Q&A
March 12, 12-1:30 p.m. (online)
This virtual panel discussion will feature speakers in different roles of the vaccine industry as they discuss how vaccine manufacturers have been affected, what it’s like to develop and manufacture vaccines during this time, and how immunization professionals are going above and beyond.
Application Deadline: NC State Sustainability Fund Grant
March 12
Applications are open for the next cycle of Sustainability Fund Project Grants from NC State. The program provides funds to students, faculty and staff with ideas to improve the sustainability of the university campus and community.
HackReality
March 12-19 (online)
This program is the first student-led XR-themed hackathon from UNC Chapel Hill. Attendees will participate in workshops, networking and project-building, connecting with leading XR researchers, professionals and enthusiasts in the field.
How to Effectively Manage a Team of Engineers
March 15, 1-4 p.m. (online)
Momentum is hosting a three-hour, virtual training session covering how to effectively manage a team of engineers.
Raleigh Chamber Business After Hours
March 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (online)
In Raleigh Chamber’s virtual Business After Hours event, members will join breakout groups to discuss ther current business operations and how they’re finding success.
2021 Rural Summit
March 15-17 (online)
NC Rural Center’s 2021 Rural Summit will cover the policy issues and priorities affecting North Carolina’s rural communities, with a special focus on entrepreneurship and small business development.
Kenan-Flagler Dean’s Speaker Series: Bobby Long & Louise Brady
March 16, 12-1 p.m. (online)
This webinar, hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Dean Doug Shackelford, will feature Bobby Long and Louise Brady of Piedmont Capital Partners, LLC.
How We Scaled This: A Glimpse Into CASE’s Scaling Tools
March 16, 12-1 p.m. (online)
In this virtual event, Duke University’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) will present three business resources: CASE Scaling Readiness Diagnostic, Scaling Pathways and CASE Smart Impact Capital.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 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.
1 Million Cups RTP
March 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.
Virtual Lunch & Learn: Fun with Flood Data
March 17, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn session will cover how Green Stream customers are collecting and consuming environmental data to make their communities flood safe.
National AgTech Forum
March 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 soil health, data and carbon capture.
Introduction to VentureSouth
March 17, 4-6 p.m. (online)
In this webinar, VentureSouth will cover the basics of angel investing, why you should invest with an angel group and the post-pandemic investing environment.
Reinventing Yourself in 2021 w/ Deb Boulanger, Alphi Mullings-Aiken, Lisa Young
March 17, 6-7 p.m. (online)
This panel discussion will feature four women corporate leaders and business owners who have reinvented themselves and found new success.
2021 FREEDM Research Symposium
March 17-18 (online)
The FREEDM Systems Center is hosting its annual research symposium this month, featuring keynote speakers, updates on FREEDM research and programs, and networking opportunities.
Raleigh Chamber YPN Program: Intentionally Indispensable
March 18, 8:30-10 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber’s next YPN program will feature Lily Scott of ettain group and Christine Peterson of Protus3 sharing how they made opportunities for themselves.
NC Chamber 79th Annual Meeting
March 18, 8:30-11:30 a.m. (online)
NC Chamber’s 79th annual meeting, held virtually, will feature a keynote speaker, live one-on-one and group networking, and a presentation of this year’s Award for Distinguished Citizenship and Award for Distinguished Service.
Cary Chamber Business of Women
March 18, 12-1 p.m.
Cary Chamber’s next Business of Women event will feature a conversation with Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NC Restaurant and Lodging Association.
UNC Institute for the Environment Cleantech Corner
March 18, 2-3 p.m. (online)
UNC’s Institute for the Environment is hosting a discussion on how climate events create economic shocks in social equity, featuring speakers from Bain, Charm Impact and UNC.
Duke MEDx Entrepreneurship Workshop Series
March 18, 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.
Equity Matters Virtual Symposium
March 18-19 (online)
Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and NC Central’s School of Business are hosting a virtual symposium to discuss the challenges facing Black and underrepresented founders, and strategies for changing the investment landscape.
Wake Tech Small Business Center Pre-Launch Series
March 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (online)
Wake Tech’s Small Business Center is hosting a three-part virtual workshop series on how to develop a strong business plan.
Playthrough Gaming Convention
March 19-21 (Raleigh, NC)
Playthrough, North Carolina’s largest gaming convention, is returning to Raleigh this year.
Raleigh Chamber Coffee with Sam Ratto
March 23, 9-10 a.m. (online)
Raleigh Chamber is hosting a virtual conversation with Sam Ratto, co-founder of Raleigh’s Videri Chocolate Factory.
Venture Connect Online 2021
March 23-25 (online)
The Council for Entrepreneurial Development’s Venture Connect Online event will feature an on-demand lineup of the region’s most promising early-stage tech and life science companies. More TechWire coverage here.
1 Million Cups RTP
March 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.
Virtual Lunch & Learn: Google Fiber Approach to Innovation
March 24, 1-2 p.m. (online)
This virtual lunch and learn will feature Joe Kunz and John Hogie of Google Inc., who will share Google Fiber’s experience with hardscape trenching deployment across multiple metros.
NC TECH Diversity + Inclusion in Tech Summit
March 24-25 (online)
NC TECH’s Diversity + Inclusion in Tech Summit will feature strategies companies can use to create an environment that drives innovation and improves their bottom line.
Virtual NC HUB & NC DBE Certification Info Session
March 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.
Jenkins MBA Innovative Women’s Conference
March 26, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (online)
NC State’s Jenkins MBA Women’s Club is hosting its seventh annual Innovative Women’s Conference, bringing together graduate students, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and other women in the Triangle area to discuss business, innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship.
Triangle Tech Net
March 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: TriWiSTEM Launch Award
March 26
Triangle Women in STEM’s new Launch Scholarship program will provide a one-time cash award of $2,500 to help a graduating college woman transition into her career at an RTP-based company or research institution.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 30, 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.
UNC Institute for the Environment Career Development Series
March 30, 6-7 p.m. (online)
UNC’s Institute for the Environment is hosting a webinar covering diversity in clear energy and environmental economies, featuring Miles Braxton of Black Oak Collective.
Downtown Techies Happy Hours @Midtown
March 30, 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.
Open Source 101 2021
March 30 (online)
All Things Open’s virtual Open Source 101 event will cover the processes and tools that are key to open source, open tech and open web applications.
1 Million Cups RTP
March 31, 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.
Application Deadline: RIoT Your Reality Challenge
March 31
The new RIoT Your Reality AR Challenge calls all innovators, thinkers, entrepreneurs and other solution-builders to apply to win a cash prize and a spot in the next RIoT Accelerator Program cohort.
