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.
April
NEW Event: How do you Sell an AI Product that Changes Every Morning?
Thursday, April 30 | 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What: AI is moving fast with product updates that change industries by sun rise. We have lined up FOUR experts to discuss sales in AI. We have lined up three AI experts and a 4th expert in AI as the moderator to discuss this difficult topic.
This event is part of the programming for the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW). Speakers include Brandon Walker - Head of Sales - HOA.AI and Vantaca (Also Brandon was formerly on UnTappd team), Wayne Hippo - Managing Partner of PS Solutions, Nick Jordan - Founder of Smashing Boxes (Durham), and Isabel Barnett - Moderator - Get Proof Lab
Sponsored by Justin Edelman of June Coast.
Where: Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Registration: Free, registration required.
May
Wilmington Innovation Forum: The High-Tech Roadmap: Winning SBIRs and Scaling Faculty Spinouts
Thursday, May 7 | 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: Join Jennifer McCall, UNCW Associate Professor of the Clinical Research Program at the School of Nursing and cofounder of SeaTox Research as she outlines the strategic path from academic research to a funded startup. This session provides a tactical look at winning SBIRs, the critical importance of technical de-risking, and how to navigate the 'translational friction' of building a high-tech venture without losing focus on the science.
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer McCall
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 & CIE Members Registration
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:
Day 1: Foundations of the Entrepreneurial Mindset & Creativity
- What is an entrepreneurial mindset and why does it matter?
- Customer discovery basics and why a "customer" matters
- Fun hands-on activities, case studies, and discussions
- Faculty Entrepreneur Panel
Day 2: Commercialization and Bringing Ideas to Market
- Commercialization pathways - what are they?
- MVPs (minimum viable products) and why they matter
- Crafting a compelling elevator pitch
- More fun hands-on activities, case studies, and discussions
Both days begin with lunch and end with reflection.
Location: CIE Event Space
Cost: Free, registration required.
Sponsors: UNCW College of Science and Engineering, NC IDEA, NC Innovation
Sponsorships are available, please contact cie@uncw.edu to learn more.
Register for Innovate & Elevate here
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: $95
Attend the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards
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
Thrive Lab Applications Due
Friday, September 4 | 5 p.m.
What: Thrive Lab is a 3+ month development program designed to equip business owners with the skills, mentorship, and strategic foundations needed to grow and strengthen their businesses.
Beginning September 2026, the second cohort of 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.
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