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.
Additional weekly, monthly, and annual programs to support entrepreneurs and the ecosystem are described on the CIE Programs page.
July
NC IDEA Fall 2025 Grants Information Session: Wilmington and N.E.W. DEEEEEP DIVE Event
Monday, July 28 | 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
What: Join us on Monday, July 28th at 3:00 p.m. at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) to gain valuable insight into the NC IDEA MICRO and NC IDEA SEED grant process, network with the NC IDEA team, and meet other founders. NC IDEA Foundation staff will provide an overview of the upcoming Fall 2025 NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grants, which provide funding to early-stage, growth-oriented companies. Learn more about NC IDEA on our website. Also, get to know our past grant recipients via our company directory and news stories.
Following NC IDEA's grants information session, join the Network for Entrepreneurs (N.E.W.) for a DEEEEEP DIVE event with guest speaker Karl Rectanus, founder of LEARN Platform and previous SEED grant recipient. Pizza and refreshments will be available in between sessions.
Agenda:
3:00-4:00 p.m.: NC IDEA Fall 2025 Grants Information Session
4:00-4:30 p.m.: Break
4:30-5:30 p.m.: N.E.W. DEEEEEP DIVE
5:30-6:00 p.m.: Networking
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free, Registration Required (please register for each event separately with the links below)
Sponsored by: NC IDEA
NC IDEA Grants Info Session Registration
N.E.W. DEEEEEP Dive Registration
August
American Constitution Film
Thursday, August 21 | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
What: Experience this groundbreaking documentary feature film unveiling the dramatic origin story of the Constitution. Leading authors masterfully recount the Constitution's epic creation. A superb cast portrays the Framers in Philadelphia over the summer of 1787.
This film was created by Wilmington's filmmaker David Garrigus, who was supported with a CIE Mentor Team!
Who: UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and all community members are welcome
Cost: Free, but you must reserve a ticket
September
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, September 3 | 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
All Blue 101: A Pre-Ocean Innovation Conference Event
Wednesday, September 10 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
What: Join us for a dynamic morning of insight and networking as we kick off the Ocean Innovation Conference with a special pre-conference event hosted by UNCW CIE.
Start the day with coffee and conversation before diving into an agenda focused on the growing potential of the Blue Economy - locally, regionally, and globally. We'll explore the scope of the Blue Economy, its economic impact, and the exciting opportunities emerging in North Carolina and the Wilmington area.
We'll also offer a sneak peek at the main conference, share tips for making the most of our conference app, Whova, and encourage attendees to help spread the word.
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about blue economy and the Ocean Innovation Conference
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free, please register below
Register for All Blue 101 Here!
The Legal Toolkit for Entrepreneurs: Breakdown of Business Law Seminar Series
Tuesday, September 16 8:30-10:00 a.m.
What: Topic TBD
Location: CIE Event Space
Cost: Free, registration required (coming soon!)
Sponsored and presented by: Poyner Spruill LLP
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: $99 until July 31st
November
Intro into Agentic AI 101
Wednesday, November 5 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What: Join Dr. Karl Ricanek for an accessible introduction to Agentic AI, systems that can act autonomously to achieve goals. This session unpacks what makes AI “agentic,” how it differs from traditional models, and why it matters to you. We’ll explore real-world applications, potential societal impacts, and key questions around safety and control.
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about Agentic AI.
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free
Register for Intro into Agentic AI 101
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, November 5 | 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
The Legal Toolkit for Entrepreneurs: Breakdown of Business Law Seminar Series
Tuesday, November 11 8:30-10:00 a.m.
What: Topic TBD
Cost: Free, registration required (coming soon!)
Sponsored and presented by: Poyner Spruill LLP
"It's About the Story!tm" Workshop by Chris Mather
Thursday, November 13 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
What: Join us for a pre-Global Entrepreneurship Week event with Chris Mather, founder and President of Leveragent. This virtual workshop is all about creating and delivering effective presentations to investors, customers, and partners. Learn how to craft compelling investment pitches, tell a story within them, and present effectively!
Who: Entrepreneurs looking to present for venture or angel funding, creating pitch decks for competitions or events, and anyone interested in crafting a story for a presentation.
Where: Online
Cost: Free, registration required (coming soon!)
"Show Me the Funding!tm" Workshop by Chris Mather
Monday, November 17 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
What: Join us for a Global Entrepreneurship Week event with Chris Mather, founder and President of Leveragent. This virtual workshop is all about understanding funding for your entrepreneurial venture.
Who: Entrepreneurs and anyone interested in understanding funding options and opportunities.
Where: Online
Cost: Free, registration required (coming soon!)
December
Deep Dive into Agentic AI 201
Wednesday, December 3 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What: In this advanced session with Dr. Karl Ricanek, we’ll dive into the core components that power Agentic AI systems. You'll explore how tools come together to enable planning, memory, and dynamic decision-making. Through live examples and walkthroughs, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these agentic frameworks are built.
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about Agentic AI.
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free
Register for the Deep Dive into Agentic AI Workshop
Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, December 3 | 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
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