About
2024 Summit
NC IDEA will be hosting its 6th annual Ecosystem Summit on November 19-20, 2024 in the
Charlotte region. The Summit is the only statewide conference that brings
together diverse leaders to address what is needed to support all entrepreneurs and
create a shared vision of making our state the best place to start and grow a business.
The 6th annual NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit will bring together leaders across various sectors to celebrate entrepreneurship and increase awareness of entrepreneurial-led economic development. By focusing on making our state the top destination for starting and scaling businesses, we’re driving lasting change.
If you’re eager to explore how entrepreneurship can redefine economic growth, this event is for you. Instead of relying on traditional “smokestack chasing,” which emphasizes attracting large industries, we’re advocating for strategic investments in entrepreneurs who build businesses from the ground up. Join hundreds of accomplished peers in this important conversation, as we work together to position North Carolina as the best place for entrepreneurship.
2023 Summit
NC IDEA hosted its 5th annual Ecosystem Summit on November 13-15, 2023 in the Research Triangle region. While the audience and topics of previous Summits have leaned toward support organizations and community partners, we added more targeted content for those we collectively serve, the entrepreneurs. To make all this exciting content and networking fit into one conference, we added a third day to the 2023 Ecosystem Summit!
Since our inaugural Summit in 2019, NC IDEA has continued to foster partnerships and unique connections that are making a meaningful difference for North Carolina’s entrepreneurial community.
Past Summits
In November 2019, NC IDEA hosted the first-ever Ecosystem Summit with the ambition to catalyze entrepreneurship as an economic development strategy for the state of North Carolina. The Summit was an unprecedented gathering of nearly 500 individuals and organizations who support, encourage and nourish North Carolina’s entrepreneurs. Attendees came together to share what is working; address issues and concerns; meet and network with those doing similar work in other communities; and celebrate and promote entrepreneurs and their successes across the state.
In both 2020 and 2021, attendees connected virtually to celebrate entrepreneurship and look to the future of building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem for all.
In 2022, attendees reconnected in person to showcase the growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem that has supported a record-breaking number of new high-propensity firm filings since 2020. Nearly 500 attendees joined us from around the state representing: Universities, HBCUs, Community Colleges, Small Business Centers, CDFIs, Economic Development Organizations, Public School Administrators, Foundations and Philanthropists, county and local government officials, policy makers and inspirational entrepreneurs.
Proud Participant of:
