Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming events happening across North Carolina in March. Included are the latest meetups, conferences, workshops, application deadlines and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other parts of North Carolina.
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 events coming in April. 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 suggest an event to be added to the calendar, feel free to send me an email.
Application Deadline: NC IDEA SEED Grant
March 2
NC IDEA is seeking applicants for its upcoming spring 2020 SEED grant program, which offers a select group of early-stage startups $50,000 in funding for validating target markets, growing and scaling before they seek future investments. Recipients will also receive mentorship from NC IDEA and access to its network.
Application Deadline: NC IDEA MICRO Grant
March 2
NC IDEA is seeking applicants for its upcoming spring 2020 MICRO grant program, which offers funding of up to $10,000 for early-stage companies seeking to validate and further develop their ideas. Recipients will also receive mentorship from NC IDEA and access to its network.
PitchBreakfast Davidson
March 3, 8:30-10 a.m. @Hurt Hub
The monthly PitchBreakfast series provides a chance for seed-stage and early-stage tech startups to present five-minute test pitches and receive constructive comments from the audience and an expert panel.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 4, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
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
March 4, 8:30-10 a.m.
Held every month, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community. Free coffee is included.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 4, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
1 Million Cups Wilmington
March 4, 9-10 a.m. @UNCW Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.
Smart Series: Turn Networking into Sales; Quanitify Your ROI
March 4, 12-1 p.m. @Asheville Chamber of Commerce
Asheville Chamber of Commerce is hosting an interactive workshop on how business owners can turn their networking efforts into sales, led by Roger Slagle, CPA, of Mars Hill University. Lunch will be provided.
VentureSouth Piedmont: Understanding Cap Tables
March 4, 1-4 p.m. @Union Square Auditorium
This interactive seminar will cover the impacts of valuation, liquidation preferences, anti-dilution terms, convertible notes, and option pools and vesting. The session will be led by VentureSouth’s Matt Bailey, Malay Shah and Matt Dunbar.
2020 Capital Connects
March 4, 4-8:30 p.m. @Union Square
This event will feature eight-minute pitches from several local startups, competing for a $7,500 award package.
Bunker Labs Wilmington: Speed Networking
March 4, 5:30-7 p.m. @Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Bunker Labs Wilmington is hosting a speed networking event with the local business community.
Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Matthews)
March 4, 6-8 p.m. @Black Chicken Wine Cellar
The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members in Matthews.
Grow with Google Marketing Summit
March 5, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. @Bakery 105
Wilmington Chamber and Grow with Google are teaming up to host a half-day summit focused on all the ways businesses can reach more customers with Google’s suite of marketing tools. Breakfast will be served.
2020 NC STIR Briefing (Wilmington)
March 5, 3:30-6 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
At this event, NC TECH will release its sixth annual State of Technology Industry Report and Tech Directory, capturing North Carolina’s tech sector and including a directory of all NC TECH members.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 5, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Asheville Chamber Business After Hours
March 5, 5:30-7 p.m. @Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts
Join Asheville Chamber for an after-hours networking event hosted by Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
March 6, 9-9:30 a.m.
This free monthly interactive webinar provides participants with an overview of NC TECH’s activities, resources and member offerings.
New Ventures Startup Accelerator Webinar
March 6, 12-1 p.m.
Ahead of the March 31application deadline, the New Ventures Accelerator will host a webinar about the program, its structure and what participants can expect. A Q&A will follow.
Application Deadline: 2020 NorthState Tech Lab
March 6
NorthState and HQ Greensboro are seeking applications for the next cohort of Tech Lab, a six-week business strategy development and coaching program for early-stage tech companies, taking place April 13 to May 18. More TechWire coverage here.
BLKTECHCLT + Flatiron School Info Session
March 9, 6-7:30 p.m. @Sugar Creek Library
Join BLKTECHCLT for an info session to learn all about Flatiron School’s online engineering, data science and UX/UI design programs.
Lunch & Learn: Breaking Down IoT ‘Plug and Play’
March 10, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Factory
Join Device Solutions Director of Product Technology Strategy Tony Sammarco for a lunch-and-learn on how the many components of an IoT solution must interwork to realize a sound ROI.
Application Deadline: Davidson Venture Fund Pitch Competition
March 10
Davidson Venture Fund aims to invest $25,000 in innovative businesses run by Davidson College students and recent alumni (2015-2019). No prior business experience is needed to apply. Finalists will compete in a live pitch event on April 29.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 11, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
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.
Charlotte PitchBreakfast
March 11, 8-10 a.m. @The Garage at Packard Place
Every month, a handful of Queen City-based companies headline Charlotte PitchBreakfast, pitching their products and services for a total of five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of entrepreneurs and experts.
1 Million Cups Wilmington
March 11, 9-10 a.m. @UNCW Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 11, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Collider Open House
March 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m. @The Collider
The Collider is hosting an open house to celebrate its fourth birthday. Join to learn more about the organization, its members and its work advancing climate innovation.
Asheville Chamber Mega Networking
March 12, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. @Holiday Inn Biltmore West
Asheville Chamber’s Mega Networking event is a “round-robin”-style experience where attendees can meet face-to-face with business prospects in a fast-paced networking environment.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 12, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Venture X Charlotte Grand Opening
March 12, 5-8 p.m. @Venture X
Join this ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Venture X coworking space in Charlotte.
Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Southpark)
March 12, 6-8 p.m. @Rooster’s Southpark
The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members.
Ellevate Charlotte: Sip & See (Cornelius)
March 12, 6-8 p.m. @D9 Brewing Company
The Charlotte chapter of the Ellevate network is hosting a casual social for both members and non-members in Cornelius.
Application Deadline: Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project Funding
March 13
Cleantech innovators with solutions for reducing transportation-related emissions are encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding allocations ($1.4 million) under the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project, funded by the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program of the NC Department of Transportation.
Opportunities 2020
March 15, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Renaissance Asheville Hotel
This event is an opportunity for local small businesses to learn how they can market their products/services to federal, state and local government agencies and contractors.
Application Deadline: IdeaFest Pitch Competition [EXTENDED]
March 15
At The Launch Place’s 7th annual IdeaFest on April 2, a group of 20 startups will get to present their pitches to a live audience and panel of judges, competing for a total of $10,000 in prizes. More TechWire coverage here. (NOTE: The deadline has been extended to March 15.)
New Ventures Startup Accelerator Webinar
March 17, 12-1 p.m.
Ahead of the March 31application deadline, the New Ventures Accelerator will host a webinar about the program, its structure and what participants can expect. A Q&A will follow.
Tech Talk Happy Hour
March 17, 6-8 p.m. @Northlake Mall Live 360
Join BLKTECHCLT, Flatiron School and Charlotte’s top tech recruiters and managers for an evening conversation about local tech jobs.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 18, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
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 Wilmington
March 18, 9-10 a.m. @UNCW Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 18, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
PitchBreakfast Asheville
March 18, 9-10:30 a.m. @Archetype Brewing – Downtown Asheville
The monthly PitchBreakfast series provides a chance for seed-stage and early-stage tech startups to present five-minute test pitches and receive constructive comments from the audience and an expert panel.
Packard Place Public House
March 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Packard Place
On the third Wednesday of every month, the Queen City’s entrepreneurial community joins together for an evening of networking and connections over drinks.
WomanUP Workshop: Success While Keeping Life in Balance
March 19, 8-11 a.m. @Crowne Plaza Resort, Expo Center
Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s next WomanUP Workshop will focus on work-life balance, featuring speakers Leah Wong Ashburn of Highland Brewing Company, Jennifer Pharr Davis of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, Cristina Hall Ackley of Ginger’s Revenge and Libby Kyles of YWCA Asheville.
Talent Insights Forum: Understanding the Charlotte Region’s Talent Supply
March 19, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. @UNCC Center City
At this event, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance will discuss the current state of talent, and the opportunities and challenges of building a skilled and capable workforce. (Note: This is an invitation-only event.)
2020 Lead Your City
March 19, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. @UNCG, Elliot University Center
This annual event helps young professionals grow their leadership skills, build on their ideas, serve their community and connect their network. Morgan Radford, Greensboro native and network correspondent for NBC News, will be the keynote speaker.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 19, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Reinvent the Wheel 2.0 Hackathon
March 20-21 @Norfolk Hall, Charlotte
American Tire Distributors will host its second annual 24-hour data hackathon, Reinvent the Wheel 2.0., focused on revolutionizing the automotive industry.
Lunch & Learn: Data in Parsimony
March 24, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Factory
Join Charlotte IoT to learn how Torus leverages shape analytics to mitigate energy and communication bandwidth constraints, fuse heterogeneous data sets, and make the most out of sensor signals and resource-constrained systems.
NEWilm: How Can You Sell Your Way to Scaling Your Business Growth?
March 24, 4-6:30 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
For its next meeting, the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington will host Vince Beese of Sales at Scale and T-REX for a discussion on how entrepreneurs can scale their business growth.
Ethical Tech: The Next Wave in Social Activism
March 24, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking
Startup Grind Winston-Salem is hosting a talk with Dualboot Partners Co-Founder Todd Buelow on the societal impact of technology.
Application Deadline: CSBDF Innovator’s Journey Program
March 24
Presented by the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the Innovator’s Journey Program helps business owners to gain access to capital and contract opportunities to grow their companies. Applications for the Johnson C. Smith University location close on March 24.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 25, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
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 Asheville
March 25, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
1 Million Cups Wilmington
March 25, 9-10 a.m. @UNCW Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
This weekly event brings together entrepreneurs in the Wilmington and Cape Fear community to gather for coffee, casual startup pitches and conversation.
Winston Starts SPARK Series: Louis Foreman
March 25, 12-1:30 p.m. @Winston Starts
At its next SPARK Series event, Winston Starts will host Louis Foreman, founder and CEO of Enventys, for a talk on his career path and lessons learned along the way.
Greensboro Tech Summit
March 25 @Marriott Greensboro Downtown
This year’s Greensboro Tech Summit will provide the latest IT trends and knowledge needed for organizations to make smart tech decisions.
Application Deadline: CSBDF Innovator’s Journey Program
March 25
Presented by the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the Innovator’s Journey Program helps business owners to gain access to capital and contract opportunities to grow their companies. Applications for the Livingstone College location close on March 25.
Skookum Volcano Tour
March 26, 12-1 p.m. @Skookum Charlotte
Join an open tour of the Skookum office to get an introduction to the tech and ideas powering the community. The Skookum team will be available for any questions or comments participants may have. Lunch will be provided.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 26, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Tech Job Fair: Charlotte
March 27, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @NOAH’s Event Venue
NC TECH’s Job Fair series connects local tech talent to the companies and organizations looking to hire in the community.
Techstars Startup Weekend Wilmington
March 27-29 @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
During this immersive Startup Weekend experience presented by Techstars, Wilmington-based developers, designers, marketers, students and innovators can collaborate together in teams to start their own projects and pitch their ideas to the audience for feedback.
SEED20 OnStage
March 31, 5:30-10 p.m. @Knight Theater
Social Venture Partners’ annual SEED20 program features innovative ideas that are designed to tackle the most pressing social challenges in the region. Up to 10 finalists will compete for cash prizes and present their pitches to a live audience and panel of judges.
Application Deadline: 2020 New Ventures Accelerator
March 31
New Ventures is currently accepting applicants for its latest accelerator cohort. Companies accepted into the three-month program receive a residency at Flywheel Coworking, acceptance into Winston Starts’ Explore Program, mentorship, and access to top investors in the Triad and beyond. The accelerator culminates in a competition where an average of $50,000 in funding is awarded per startup.
