REGISTER

Agenda

2024 ecosystem summit

Investing in Ourselves

DAY ONE

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

9:00am – 10:00am |
Registration and Networking

10:00am – 10:45am |
Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA Foundation


10:45am – 11:30am |
Featured Panel: Engines of Innovation through Textiles

  • Moderator: Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
  • Molly Hemstreet, Founder and Co-Executive Director, The Industrial Commons
  • Anne Wiper, CEO, The North Caroline Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine


How can entrepreneurship and innovation drive the economic revitalization of rural communities? North Carolina’s recent NSF grant award for the North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine (NC TISE), led by The Industrial Commons, is leading the way to disrupt the $96 billion textile industry. This panel will explore how the organization is leveraging the grant to foster innovation, empower local entrepreneurs, and build sustainable industries that can rejuvenate communities once known for tobacco, furniture, and textiles. Panelists will explore strategies for harnessing entrepreneurship to not only create jobs but to build long-term, resilient ecosystems that drive both social and economic impact.

11:30am – 12:00pm |
Keynote Address: Bluetech:  Venture Innovation Going Out-to-Sea. Why Now?  Why North Carolina?

  • Mark Huang, Partner, Long Leaf Studios LLC


STEM based startups and our ocean innovation economy is a new concept. How can North Carolina’s core competencies be further brought to bear for this growing global sector?

12:00pm – 12:20pm |
Featured Panel: Building the Blue Ecosystem

  • Moderator: Mark Huang, Partner, Long Leaf Studios
  • Joseph Covi, Faculty, UNC Wilmington
  • Paige O’Neill, NC EcoTech Program Manager, UNCW – NC EcoTech


The ocean, a vast and vital resource, is at the heart of our planet’s health and economy. As we strive to balance human needs with environmental sustainability, a new era of innovation and entrepreneurial opportunity is emerging. This session highlights innovations from maritime, cleantech, and aquaculture sectors and will share how Eastern North Carolina is building a coalition and a movement leveraging the potential of the Blue Economy.

12:20pm – 1:40pm |
Lunch
Vendor Spotlight: Spencer Barbera, Founder, Laboosh

1:40pm – 2:00pm|
Featured Panel: Building Cluster-Based Ecosystems 

  • Alan Kathman, Senior Director, Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems
  • Greg Needham, Senior Executive Director, Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships, UNC Charlotte


This session will spotlight Charlotte’s Tech Strategy Development project, recently awarded a grant as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s inaugural Tech Hubs program. The discussion will focus on how the initiative leverages federal resources, regional assets, and local expertise to create coalitions to drive transformational economic growth. Attendees will learn how partners in the Charlotte region are developing a collaborative framework that fosters innovation, accelerates technological advancement, and ensures equitable opportunities across the region. This cluster-based ecosystem economic development strategy is a blueprint for using partnerships to unlock long-term economic potential for diverse communities.

2:00pm – 2:55pm | 
The Rich Landscape of Rural Entrepreneurship

  • Moderator: Merald Holloway, Program Manager, MDC
  • April Kelly, CEO, Tavi
  • Jeff Neuville, Director, Manufacturing Solutions Center
  • Rachael Newberry, Program Director, RIoT


Despite challenges such as limited access to capital and geographic barriers, rural entrepreneurs are making a significant impact in our local and statewide economies. Panelists will provide insights into how rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders are navigating these obstacles and will highlight the crucial role our statewide ecosystem plays in fostering their success. With recent population growth in rural areas, increased broadband access, and exciting opportunities for innovation in agriculture and biotechnology, the future of rural North Carolina is filled with limitless potential.

2:55pm – 3:15pm | 
Networking Break

3:15pm – 3:45pm |
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Benjamin Colvin, President and Founder, Devil’s Foot Beverage, LLC

3:45pm – 3:55pm |
MINDSET Partner Spotlight: Tasha Williams, Founder, Innovative Networking Group

3:55pm – 4:35pm | 
Keynote Address: The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic That Unleashes Human Potential

  • Gary Schoeniger, Author & CEO, The Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative


Internationally acclaimed author and entrepreneurial mindset expert Gary Schoeniger combines insights from everyday entrepreneurs with motivation research to create a practical guide for unlocking the entrepreneurial potential in people and places that have been overlooked or ignored.

4:35pm – 5:00pm |
MICRO and SEED Grant Recipient Announcements

  • Amy Bastian, VP of Grants and Programs, NC IDEA Foundation


Closing Remarks

  • Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA Foundation


5:00pm – 7:00pm |
Reception and Resource Fair

DAY TWO

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

8:00am – 9:00am |
Breakfast and Networking

9:00am – 9:15am |
Welcome and Day Two Overview

  • Jerry Edmonds, III, Ed. D., VP, Workforce and Community Engagement, Vance-Granville Community College (NC IDEA Board Chair)

9:15am – 9:55am |
Fireside Chat with Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

  • Moderator: Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA Foundation

9:55am – 10:40am |
Featured Panel: Catalyzing University Innovation through Regional Partnerships

  • Moderator: Michelle Bolas, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, NCInnovation
  • Kristen Dellinger, Assistant Professor of Nanoengineering, NC A&T State University
  • Louis Judge III, Director, NCInnovation
  • Tim Minor, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development, NC A&T State University
  • Frank Pollock, Entrepreneur in Residence, NC IDEA Foundation
  • Hemali Rathnakye, Professor, UNC Greensboro


NCInnovation is unlocking the innovative potential of North Carolina’s world-class public universities. During this panel, attendees will learn about the significant milestones achieved by the organization since NC IDEA’s 2023 Ecosystem Summit and hear details about their upcoming grant cycle. Attendees will also learn about their recent partnership with NC IDEA, which focuses on accelerating commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s universities. This partnership involves an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) network and aims to deliver educational programming in support of NCInnovation’s four regional innovation networks.

10:40am – 10:50am |
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Q. Nicole Vanderhorst, CEO, WH Farms

10:50am – 11:00am | 
Networking Break and Transition to Breakout Sessions

11:00am – 12:00pm | Breakout Sessions

Investing in Entrepreneurs in Under-Resourced Communities

  • Moderator: Stuart Bridgers, Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
  • Lee Gray, Associate Director, Knox St. Studios
  • Sean GL Johnson, Director, The Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation,
    NC A&T State University (HBCU Community of Practice Member)
  • Christina Williams-DeBrew, Cofounder, Innovative Networking Group


This session highlights effective strategies for fostering entrepreneurship within under-resourced populations, particularly emphasizing collaboration and community-driven solutions. Key themes include the successful implementation of the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program, which equips
participants with the mindset and practical skills necessary to start and sustain their businesses. Panelists will also discuss the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in amplifying the impact of entrepreneurial initiatives and how these collaborations have removed barriers for entrepreneurs, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and network opportunities needed to thrive.

The Resiliency of Western NC

  • Moderator: Jeffrey Kaplan, Executive Director, Venture Asheville
  • Christine Laucher, Strategic Partnership Manager, Mountain BizWorks
  • Will McGuire, Founder and CEO, incolo.io
  • Gwendolyn Dare Hageman, Founder and CEO, Darë Vegan Cheese


This session will explore the current entrepreneurial landscape of Western North Carolina and the resilience shaping the region after Hurricane Helene. Panelists will describe the challenges the local ecosystem has faced, along with the remarkable ways they have united to rebuild and support one another. Learn what’s next for Western North Carolina and how the broader ecosystem can support its entrepreneurs.

DEI Under Fire: Co-Designing Solutions for the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

  • Fay Horwitt, President & CEO, Forward Cities
  • Andy Stoll, Founding Executive Director, Ecosystem Building Leadership Network (EBLN)


The Ecosystem Building Leadership Network (EBLN) will facilitate a convening for entrepreneurial support organizations and champions exploring potential action-based solutions to the recent anti-DEI movement – and its impacts on entrepreneurs, support organizations, and funders. National ecosystem building experts will facilitate a generative discussion, provide an update on
emergent solutions from across the national ecosystem building field, and lead attendees in a collaborative design session to collectively emerge.

12:00pm – 1:30pm|
Lunch and Networking
Partner Spotlight

  • Liz Brigham, Director, The Hurt Hub@Davidson
  • Cherese Spand, CEO, SHE Wealth International


1:30pm – 2:15pm | 
Featured Panel: Record startups are creating massive returns in NC

  • Moderator: Ben Redding, CFO, NC IDEA Foundation
  • Caroline Glackin, Professor, UNC Pembroke
  • William Toole, Deputy, NC Department of the Secretary of State


A record number of startups are creating massive returns in North Carolina. The NC Department of Secretary of State data reveals the significant (and immediate) economic impact of supporting entrepreneurship ecosystems. Authors of the report share their bombshell study.

2:15pm – 3:00pm | 
Featured Panel: The Funding Landscape 

  • Moderator: Justyn Kasierski, Managing Partner, Hutchison PLLC
  • Romi Dillon, Founder and Managing Partner, Carry Venture Capital
  • Elaine Fairman, Executive Director, BEFCOR
  • Jen Greenstein, Senior Director, NC Biotech Center 


Navigating the funding landscape for entrepreneurs can be challenging. This panel will explore the varied options for startup funding. Experts will discuss the current state of startup capital in North Carolina, offering insights on securing funding from various sources, understanding the nuances of each funding type, and providing practical tips for startups to optimize their funding strategies.

3:00pm – 3:30pm | 
Featured Panel: How an NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM Grant Can Empower YOUR Entrepreneurs

  • José D. Alvarez, VP, Prospera USA
  • Ben Redding, CFO, NC IDEA


During this session, ecosystem leaders will learn how their organization can leverage the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant to empower their local entrepreneurs through creative and impactful programs. Through partnerships with entrepreneurial support organizations, NC IDEA and the statewide ecosystem is driving entrepreneurial ambition and economic growth across all of North Carolina.

3:30pm |
Closing Remarks

  • Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA Foundation

DAY THREE

Proud Participant of: