CIE Events

2025 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards

Wednesday, May 21 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Coastal Entrepreneur Awards are a joint effort of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal to shine a spotlight on entrepreneurs in the Cape Fear region.

Location: UNCW Burney Center

Additional Details & Tickets here

SBTDC's Taking the Leap

Thursdays, May 22 - May 29 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Embarking on a business journey without proper guidance can feel overwhelming. Why take the leap without the essential tools for success?

Location: CIE

Cost: Free

Additional details & application here

Legal Tool Kit, Poyner Spruill Legal Series

Tuesday, July 8 8:30-10:00 a.m.

What: Topic TBD

Location: CIE Event Space

Cost: Free

Welcome Wednesday

Wednesday, September 3 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What: Visitors welcome! CIE staff will be available all day to provide tours of our facility, to answer questions about CIE or UNCW, and to connect you to programs and ecosystem partners. Bonus: Free coworking all day for entrepreneurs! 

Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about CIE

Where: UNCW CIE

Cost: Free, Registration not required

Sponsored by: City of Wilmington 

Legal Tool Kit, Poyner Spruill Legal Series

Tuesday, September 16 8:30-10:00 a.m.

What: Topic TBD

Location: CIE Event Space

Cost: Free

Ocean Innovation Conference

Tuesday, September 30  8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

What: Turn knowledge to action at the 3rd UNCW Ocean Innovation Conference on September 30, 2025. Learn, engage, network, and spark new ideas to create ideas and solutions.

This is an high-energy conference for everyone from venture capital, elected officials, and startup founders to youth and concerned citizens. We hope that you join us.

Location: UNCW Burney Center

Cost: $79 until May 31st

Welcome Wednesday

Wednesday, November 5 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What: Visitors welcome! CIE staff will be available all day to provide tours of our facility, to answer questions about CIE or UNCW, and to connect you to programs and ecosystem partners. Bonus: Free coworking all day for entrepreneurs! 

Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about CIE

Where: UNCW CIE

Cost: Free, Registration not required

Sponsored by: City of Wilmington 

Legal Tool Kit, Poyner Spruill Legal Series

Tuesday, November 11 8:30-10:00 a.m.

What: Topic TBD

Location: CIE Event Space

Cost: Free

Welcome Wednesday

Wednesday, December 3 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What: Visitors welcome! CIE staff will be available all day to provide tours of our facility, to answer questions about CIE or UNCW, and to connect you to programs and ecosystem partners. Bonus: Free coworking all day for entrepreneurs! 

Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about CIE

Where: UNCW CIE

Cost: Free, Registration not required

Sponsored by: City of Wilmington 

1 Million Cups Wilmington

Every Wednesday at 9:00-10:00 a.m. at CIE or online.

1 Million Cups Wilmington is part of a national movement to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs and communities over one million cups of coffee. Any regional business that is 5 years old or less is welcome to present.

Subscribe to our 1 Million Cups Wilmington email by signing up for the CIE Email List to receive weekly emails with speaker announcements and Zoom links. Follow us on our Facebook @1MCWilmingtonNC to get weekly updates and to watch the speakers on Facebook Live. 

1 MILLION CUPS Wilmington website

Information about hosting an Event