CIE Events
Register today for a UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) event to connect with others, learn something new, and accelerate your success. CIE offers educational and networking events for community members and UNCW faculty, staff, and students. While not required, CIE membership is encouraged for those registering for UNCW CIE events.
Additional weekly, monthly, and annual programs to support entrepreneurs and the ecosystem are described on the CIE Programs page.
February
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, February 4 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
Wilmington Innovation Forum: How Entrepreneurs Work with Mentors
Thursday, February 5 | noon - 1:00 p.m.
What: The UNCW CIE is excited to launch the Wilmington Innovation Forum: a monthly, one-hour program spotlighting the ideas, expertise, and research shaping our region’s future. Wilmington Innovation Forum will take place on the first Thursday of every month. Lunch will be provided.
Each session features a UNCW faculty member or community expert sharing a 35–40-minute talk on their area of expertise, whether in technology, science, business, or other fields, followed by a 20-minute interactive Q&A. At its core, the forum is about knowledge sharing and collaborative learning. It’s an opportunity to explore new ideas, gain fresh insights, and connect university and community partners in meaningful conversations that drive innovation and growth.
This session, learn about:
- The differences in types of entrepreneurs and types of mentors
- Different types of support provided by mentors
- Tips for finding a mentor or for programs to match mentors with entrepreneurs
Speaker: Seth Butler
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students.
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free for CIE members, tenants, mentors, and coworkers, and UNCW staff and faculty. $5.00 for non CIE members.
UNCW or CIE Member Registration
CIE Office Hours at Randall Hall
Tuesday, February 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What: Join us for CIE Office Hours to connect one-on-one with our team, ask questions, and get personalized guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea, working on a start-up, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to help.
Come explore the tools, programs, and community connections that can help your ideas take root and thrive!
Who: UNCW Students
Where: First Floor of Randall Hall, Room 1045
Cost: Free, no registration required
Deep Dive into Agentic AI 201
Thrive Lab Applications Due
Friday, February 27 | 5 p.m.
What: Thrive Lab is a new 3+ month development program designed to equip business owners with the skills, mentorship, and strategic foundations needed to grow and strengthen their businesses.
Beginning March 2026, Thrive Lab will guide participants through a three-plus-month series of sessions focused on finance, funding, sales, product strategy, and leadership. Entrepreneurs will also build a strong peer network and receive hands-on support to develop the mindset and capabilities of CEOs, CFOs, and CPOs—all while preserving the unique strengths that make their business thrive.
Thrive Lab is designed for business owners who are ready to scale, strengthen their operations, and take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.
Learn more and Apply to Thrive Lab Here
March
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, March 4 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
Wilmington Innovation Forum: Making Smarter Systems: Content Strategy for an AI World
Thursday, March 5 | noon - 1:00 p.m.
What: Each session features a UNCW faculty member or community expert sharing a 35–40-minute talk on their area of expertise, whether in technology, science, business, or other fields, followed by a 20-minute interactive Q&A. Lunch is provided.
This session, learn about:
- Why AI struggles with your content — and the simple structural changes that make information more accessible to both humans and machines, improving search, reducing confusion, and cutting time spent hunting for answers.
- The five information types framework — a practical system for organizing knowledge that works whether you're managing a small business website, coordinating nonprofit programs, or structuring educational materials.
- How to diagnose and fix information chaos — concrete strategies for identifying where your content systems are breaking down and immediate steps to build more effective knowledge infrastructure.
Speaker: Lance Cummings
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free for CIE members, tenants, mentors, and coworkers, and UNCW staff and faculty. $5.00 for non CIE members.
UNCW or CIE Member registration
CIE Office Hours at Randall Hall
Tuesday, March 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What: Join us for CIE Office Hours to connect one-on-one with our team, ask questions, and get personalized guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea, working on a start-up, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to help.
Come explore the tools, programs, and community connections that can help your ideas take root and thrive!
Who: UNCW Students
Where: First Floor of Randall Hall, Room 1045
Cost: Free, no registration required
CIE Office Hours at Randall Hall
Tuesday, March 31 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What: Join us for CIE Office Hours to connect one-on-one with our team, ask questions, and get personalized guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea, working on a start-up, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to help.
Come explore the tools, programs, and community connections that can help your ideas take root and thrive!
Who: UNCW Students
Where: First Floor of Randall Hall, Room 1045
Cost: Free, no registration required
April
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, April 1 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
EcoInnovate Sprint: A 3-Night Startup Sprint for Sustainable Solutions
Tuesday April 7 - Thursday April 9 | 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
What: Embark on a journey of sustainable innovation at EcoInnovate Sprint! Join visionaries, changemakers, and climate enthusiasts for an immersive startup experience dedicated to forging solutions for a greener future. Dive into a dynamic ecosystem of ideas, collaboration, and mentorship, as you work towards creating impactful ventures in the realm of sustainability and climatetech. EcoInnovate Sprint is a place for you to kickstart sustainability-focused, impactful ideas and startups.
Everyone is welcome: whether you have an idea, an early-stage startup, or just a passion for sustainability. Come meet like-minded people, build something meaningful, and kickstart a climate-focused venture or business in just a few nights after class and work!
Where: UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
What: Team based sustainable solution development and can win prizes valued at $5,500!
Cost: $35, Registration required.
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Free for Students (use code "Student")
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Free for CIE Members and Tenants (contact CIE for code)
Register for EcoInnovate Sprint Here!
CIE Office Hours at Randall Hall
Tuesday, April 14 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What: Join us for CIE Office Hours to connect one-on-one with our team, ask questions, and get personalized guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea, working on a start-up, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to help.
Come explore the tools, programs, and community connections that can help your ideas take root and thrive!
Who: UNCW Students
Where: First Floor of Randall Hall, Room 1045
Cost: Free, no registration required
CIE Office Hours at Randall Hall
Tuesday, April 28 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What: Join us for CIE Office Hours to connect one-on-one with our team, ask questions, and get personalized guidance on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea, working on a start-up, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to help.
Come explore the tools, programs, and community connections that can help your ideas take root and thrive!
Who: UNCW Students
Where: First Floor of Randall Hall, Room 1045
Cost: Free, no registration required
May
Innovate & Elevate: A workshop for UNCW Faculty, Researchers, and Graduate Students
Tuesday, May 12 - Wednesday, May 13 | noon - 4:30 p.m. each day
Elevate your creativity and innovation by participating in this workshop! Explore commercialization paths and entrepreneurial concepts while networking with your peers.
Program highlights: Additional program content TBA. Both days begin with lunch and networking, and end with reflection.
Location: CIE Event Space
Sponsorships are available, please contact cie@uncw.edu to learn more.
Coastal Entrepreneur Awards
Thursday, May 21 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Coastal Entrepreneur Awards recognizes up-and-coming ventures in our region as well as established companies that keep innovating. 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
Cost: Tickets and registration coming soon.
September
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, September 2 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
November
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, November 4 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 16 - 22, 2026
What: GEW Wilmington is a celebration of entrepreneurship in the greater Wilmington region. It highlights some of the best of Wilmington's entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Weekly Event
1 Million Cups Wilmington
Every Wednesday at 9:00-10:00 a.m. at CIE or online. No registration needed - just show up!
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