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
10:45am – 11:30am |
The Future of Innovation Engines Panel
Anne Wiper, CEO, The North Caroline Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine
Molly Hemstreet, Founder and Co-Executive Director, The Industrial Commons
Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
11:30am – 11:50am |
Harnessing the Blue Economy Keynote
Mark Huang, Partner, Long Leaf Studios
11:50am – 12:20pm |
Building Cluster-Based Ecosystems Part 1
Paige A. O’Neill, NC EcoTech Program Manager, UNCW Center for Marine Science
Joe Covi, Entrepreneur, UNCW
12:20pm – 1:40pm |
Lunch
1:40pm – 2:00pm|
Building Cluster-Based Ecosystems Part 2
Devin Collins, Regional Innovations Officer, UNCC
2:00pm – 2:55pm |
Rural Panel
Merald Holloway, MDC, Program Manager
Rachael Meleny, RIoT, Program Director
April Kelly, CEO, Sure!
2:55pm – 3:15pm |
Networking Break
3:15pm – 3:45pm |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Benjamin Colvin, President and Founder, Devil’s Foot Beverage
3:45pm – 3:55pm |
NC IDEA MINDSET Partner Spotlight
Tasha Williams, Innovative Networking Group, Founder
3:55pm – 4:35pm |
The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage Fireside Chat
Gary Schoeniger, Author & CEO, The Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative
4:35pm – 5:00pm |
NC IDEA MICRO + SEED Grant Announcement
Amy Bastian, VP of Grants and Programs, NC IDEA
Allan Younger, Senior Director, NC IDEA
Closing Remarks
5:00pm – 7:00pm |
Reception and Resource Fair
1:00pm – 2:00pm |
Registration and Networking
2:00pm – 2:45pm |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor, City of Raleigh
Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA
2:45pm – 3:20pm |
Keynote Address: Working Together for Systems Change
Introduction by Peter Mattocks, Schell Bray
Shenell Thompson, Senior Program Officer, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
3:20pm – 3:50pm |
Networking Break
3:50pm – 4:15pm |
Keynote Address: We are the Heroes We’ve Been Waiting for
Introduction by Ariana Billingsly, SBTDC
Victor Hwang, Founder and CEO, Right to Start
We are all born to be starters, makers, and doers, and entrepreneurial opportunity should be a fundamental right for everyone, everywhere. Join Victor Hwang as he shares why he founded Right to Start, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, to drive civic change to remove the barriers for entrepreneurs, so everyone can realize their basic right to start. He will also share about his own journey, and how we can all take action in our own communities to level the playing field and expand entrepreneurial opportunity for everyone.
4:15pm – 4:30pm |
Keynote Address: Building the Innovation State
Introduction by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA
Bennet Waters, President and CEO,
NCInnovation
North Carolina has a world-class university system, ranks near the top of peer states in research and development funding, and is a top destination for talent. Despite those advantages, we rank 20th in innovation. NCInnovation intends to fix that. Learn from NCInnovation President and CEO Bennet Waters how the state’s $500 million investment will enable this vision. Following his remarks, a panel of leaders in innovation will explore strategies and share how you can get plugged into efforts advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization in our state.
4:30pm – 5:15pm |
Featured Panel: Building the Innovation State
Introduction by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA
Moderator: Bennet Waters, NCInnovation
Rep. John R. Bradford III, Petscreening
Natalie J. Brown, Ally Financial
John Hardin, NC Department of Commerce
5:15pm – 5:30pm |
Day One Closing Remarks
Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA
5:30pm – 7:00pm |
Networking 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
Dr. Jerry Edmonds, Board Chair, NC IDEA
9:15am – 9:55am |
Fireside Chat
Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
9:55am – 10:40am |
Catalyzing University Innovation Through Regional Partnerships with NCInnovation
10:40am – 10:50am |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Q. Nicole Vanderhorst, CEO, WH Farms
10:50am – 11:00am |
Networking Break
11:00am – 12:00pm |
Breakout Sessions
Investing in Entrepreneurs in Under-resourced Communities
Resiliency of Western, NC, Entrepreneurs
Ecosystem Building Leadership Network Workshop
12:00pm – 1:30pm|
Lunch
1:30pm – 3:00pm |
The Funding Landscape Panel
AND MORE!
3:00pm – 3:30pm |
NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM Grant Overview and Panel Discussion
Ben Redding, CFO, NC IDEA
José D. Alvarez, VP, Prospera USA
3:30pm |
Closing Remarks
8:00am – 9:00am |
Breakfast and Networking
9:00am – 9:10am |
Day Two Opening Remarks
Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA
9:10am – 9:40am |
Virtual Fireside Chat with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis
Moderated by Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, North Carolina
In this session, Senator Tillis will discuss the pivotal role of technology-based economic development and entrepreneurship in North Carolina’s growth. With a deep understanding of the state’s potential, Senator Tillis will highlight the importance of fostering innovation and supporting startups to drive economic prosperity. His insights will offer a compelling vision for a brighter future where innovation and entrepreneurship are central to the state’s success.
9:40am -10:30 am |
Fireside Chat: Patenting Progress: Intellectual Property Insights with the USPTO
Introduction and Moderated by Kirsten Rieth, Senior Director, Strategy and Innovation, RTI International
Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director, USPTO
Elizabeth Dougherty will discuss the ins and outs of Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship during this fireside chat, where she will provide valuable insights into how startups can harness the power of patents, trademarks, and copyrights to fuel innovation, and thrive in the competitive business landscape.
10:30am – 10:40am |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Sasha Surkin, WeyeZE (Greenville, NC)
10:40am – 11:00am |
Networking and Transition to Breakout Sessions
11:00am – 12:00pm |
Breakout Sessions
ECOSYSTEM Breakout Sessions
1)Ecosysteming with Experts
In this interactive session, panelists will dive into the crucial process of identifying and mapping resources within your community to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Led by industry experts, participants will learn innovative methodologies to assess the strengths and gaps of their local ecosystems, including funding opportunities, mentorship. programs, co-working spaces, and educational institutions. Attendees will gain practical insights on how to identify comprehensive resources in their communities that can drive collaboration and maximize support for startups and small businesses.
Moderator: Will McGuire, Incolo.io
Stephanie Kissel, Supportedly
Tim Scales, American Underground
Magalie Yacinthe, Forward Cities
2)Creating Impactful Events and Engaging Entrepreneurial Communities
This session explores the success stories and best practices of organizations that plan celebrations to cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation. This session aims to equip attendees with actionable insights and strategies to create impactful events that foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within their own communities. During this interactive discussion, seasoned event organizers from various regions will share their experiences, challenges, and key takeaways from hosting large celebrations focused on entrepreneurship.
Moderator: Tom Snyder, RIoT
Amy Allison, Mountain BizWorks
Juan Garzón, Innovate CLT
Kelly Rowell, CED
ENTREPRENEUR Breakout Sessions
1)Unlocking North Carolina’s Entrepreneurial Resources
With a focus on fostering innovation and accelerating growth, this breakout session provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs to tap into the extensive resources at their disposal, fostering a dynamic collaboration within North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurs attending the Summit will gain insight into many agencies that support startups and help them thrive.
Moderator: Katrece Boyd, NCCU
David Newsome, Jobs for the Future
JaLisha Richmond, Thread Capital
Bianca Simmons, NC Bar Foundation
William W. Toole, NC Secretary of State
2)SBIR Funding Workshop with North Carolina Office of Science, Technology, & Innovation
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant programs have a long, established history of driving innovation in North Carolina and the United States. Startup businesses face significant challenges in landing these awards: a lack of information about the programs, inexperience with the programs and/or grant writing, and insufficient funding/resources to acquire professional assistance, and the immense competition in these highly competitive programs. In this session from the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, attendants will hear from some of the state’s leading resource partners in driving SBIR/STTR activity, as well as the stories of a few companies who have found success through these partners and commercialize their technologies
Moderator: Dave Kaiser, North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation
Emil Runge, First Flight Venture Center
Ramya Vijapurapu, Small Business Technology Development Center
Dr. Dana Upton, Eva Garland Consulting
Ivan Barajas Vargas, MuukTest
David Reeser, OpiAID
12:00pm – 12:45pm | Buffet Lunch
12:45pm – 1:00pm |
Fireside Chat: Empowering Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs – The NextGen Program with the Girl Scouts
Moderated by Kate Wiggins, Program Support Manager, NC IDEA
Laura Lee Davis, Girl Scouts NC Coastal Pines
1:00pm – 1:45pm |
Featured Panel: Working Together in Wilmington
This panel delves into the intricate web of opportunities that the coastal city’s aquatic resources offer to forward-thinking. entrepreneurs. Attendees will be captivated by discussions featuring visionary leaders, industry experts, and ecosystem architects, all sharing their insights into how Wilmington’s unique blend of marine science, technology, and business acumen is driving the next wave of economic growth. This session will focus on how the local economy has transformed from tourism focused to fostering groundbreaking startups, bolstering research initiatives, and creating a dynamic economy, showing the region’s commitment to economic advancement. This Regional Spotlight panel promises to be an enlightening journey into the heart of Wilmington’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Introduction by Randall Johnson, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Moderator: Lakesha McDay, NHCE
Jim Roberts, NEW
Chakema Clinton-Quintana, Live Oak Bank
Heather McWhorter, UNCW CIE
1:45pm – 1:55pm |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
David Reeser, OpiAID (Wilmington, NC)
1:55pm – 2:20pm | Networking Break
2:20pm – 3:20pm |
Featured Panel: Innovations in Rural Entrepreneurship
The spotlight is on rural entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role of small towns and rural areas in fostering innovation and economic growth. This session will showcase success stories, explore unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs, and promote collaborative strategies to empower and support their ventures for a thriving and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Introduction by Rod Banks, Wells Fargo
Moderator: Moriah Dean, Dogwood Health Trust
Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, Vance-Granville CC
Michael Harris, ECU College of Business
Molly Hemstreet, Industrial Commons
3:20pm – 3:40pm |
Networking Break
3:40pm – 4:40pm |
Keynote Address: Accelerating Rural Innovation
Introduction by Suzie Koonce, Wells Fargo
Matt Dunne, Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation
In the afternoon keynote, hear from Matt Dunne, the founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), a national nonprofit helping rural communities build inclusive tech economies. CORI’s work in rural America includes developing strategies for creating tech accelerators, entrepreneurship centers, innovation hubs, and tech talent development programs, in addition to securing the funding to make these initiatives come to life. CORI also manages the CORI Innovation Fund, which invests in early stage rural tech startups across the U.S. Learn more about CORI’s approach to this work and the North Carolina communities where they are leaning into building rural economies of the future.
4:40pm – 4:50pm |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Marcus Aman, Bayley (Wilson, NC)
4:40pm – 5:00pm |
Day Two Closing Remarks
Barry Ryan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, NC IDEA Foundation
DAY THREE
8:00am – 9:00am |
Breakfast and Networking
9:00am – 9:10am |
Day Three Opening Remarks
Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA
9:10am – 10:00am |
Featured Panel: Creating Charlotte’s Equitable Ecosystem
This session sheds light on Charlotte’s rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, emphasizing the importance of fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all aspiring and established entrepreneurs. The session will feature a panel discussion of how partners in the Charlotte region have worked together to build a thriving ecosystem.
Moderator: Manwell Bynum, Atrium Health now part of Advocate Health
José Alvarez, Prospera
Liz Brigham, The Hurt Hub@Davidson
Eric Lewis, NXT | CLT
Laura Smailes, CEI at UNC Charlotte
10:00am – 10:10am |
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Desmond Wiggan, BatteryXchange (Charlotte, NC)
10:10am – 10:25am | Networking Break
10:25am – 11:30am |
Featured Panel: New Normals of Funding in North Carolina
Introduction by Linda Hall, Research Triangle Foundation
Funders Panel
In the first panel, local angel and venture capital funds will share their perspectives, strategies, and investment criteria, shedding light on the evolving funding landscape in North Carolina.
Moderator: Tim McLoughlin, Cofounders Capital
Robbie Allen, Triangle Tweener Fund
Zakiya Lee, IDEA Fund Partners
Jenn Summe, Primordial
Entrepreneur Panel
The second panel will feature successful entrepreneurs who have secured funding, providing firsthand accounts of their funding journey and the support they received from North Carolina funding sources.
Moderator: Tim McLoughlin, Cofounders Capital
Sherrod Davis, EcoMaps
Josh Owen, CycleLabs
11:30am – 12:00pm |
NC IDEA MICRO and SEED Grant Recipient Announcement and Closing Remarks
Allan Younger, Senior Director, NC IDEA
Amy Bastian, Senior Director, NC IDEA
Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA