CIE Calendar
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.
July
Wilmington Innovation Forum: Maritime Cybersecurity Applied Research, Technology & Education Center (MCARTEC)
Thursday, July 9 | 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:
- Maritime transportation and supply chain cybersecurity risks.
- How MCARTEC connects UNCW, industry, and government.
- Growing Wilmington's blue economy through workforce development and maritime innovation.
Speaker: Dr. Ulku Clark
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
NC IDEA Fall 2026 Grants Information Session: Wilmington
Monday, July 20, 2026 | noon - 1:30 p.m.
What: NC IDEA FOUNDATION staff provide an overview of Fall 2026 NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grants, which provide funding to early-stage, high-growth companies. Pizza and beverages are provided.
Who: Whether you have an idea or have already launched your startup, NC IDEA delivers grants to help you take that next leap or scale operations. This Information Session is most relevant to early-stage, high-growth companies.
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free, Registration Required
Sponsored by: NC IDEA
Register for NC IDEA Grants Info Session
NEW DEEEEEP DIVE for Wilmington NC Entrepreneurs
Thursday, July 23 | 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What: The Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington's (NEW) DEEEEEP DIVE Series was created to give more intimate insights into solving the challenges as a founder to grow companies in NC
What is a VENTURE STUDIO? And how can a Venture Studio play a role in growing the tech entrepreneur scene in Wilmington.
NEW will have two leaders of venture studios in North Carolina who will participate in a RIVERside chat format.
- Matt Cimino - A UNCW grad who recently sold his AMPED company to Intuit / Mailchimp, moved back to the coast and has started AMPED Ventures, a new venture studio where he is looking to invest and start new AI related companies.
- Brian Ruddy - A NC State grad who went to work as an engineer at unicorn called Pendo with founder of the 24 and Up Venture Studio based in Raleigh. Brian participated in the inaugural Wilmington AI Roundtable and showed interest in coastal tech scene. Brian is on the tech and engineering side of the business.
Thanks to Hutchison Law for being the TITLE sponsor of the DEEEEEP DIVE event series.
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free, registration required
August
Wilmington Innovation Forum
Thursday, August 6 | 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.
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.
Registration coming soon!
Scavenger Hunt
August 24 - September 1
What: This event provides students with an engaging opportunity to explore the wide range of entrepreneurial resources available at UNCW. During the week of August 24th through September 1st, students will collect a scavenger hunt card from designated locations and visit various stops across campus to gather stickers.
Locations participating:
- SBTDC
- Management Department of the Cameron School of Business
- UNCW Library
- 1 Million Cups
- UNCW CIE - Once your card is completed, you can visit the CIE to spin for prizes!
Who: UNCW Students
2026 UNCW Involvement Carnival
August 25 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
What: Visit the CIE booth at the 2026 Involvement Carnival! In previous years, over 5,000 students, faculty and staff have visited the carnival, making it a great way to connect with on campus organizations, athletics, and clubs. Hosted by Campus Life.
Who: UNCW Students, Faculty, and Staff
Where: UNCW Campus Commons
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
Wilmington Innovation Forum
Thursday, September 3 | 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.
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.
Registration coming soon!
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.
Ocean Innovation Conference
Tuesday, September 29 | 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
What: Join us at the UNCW CIE Ocean Innovation Conference to Connect though Water ~ Innovate with Purpose. Experience a high-energy day of ideas, connections, and solutions for our ocean and communities. Open to everyone, from investors and innovators to students and citizens. Learn, engage, and spark change.
Who: Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in learning more about Blue Economy
Where: UNCW Burney Center
Cost: $109 until July 31 ($139 August 1 through September 29)
Register for the 2026 Ocean Innovation Conference Here
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
Wilmington Innovation Forum
Thursday, November 5 | 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.
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.
Registration coming soon!
NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit
Thursday-Friday, November 12-13, 2026
What: The NC IDEA Ecosystem 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.
While the audience and topics of past Summits have often focused on support organizations and community partners, the conference also includes targeted content for the entrepreneurs we collectively serve.
Who: Entrepreneurs and founders, Entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs), investors, & community partners
Where: Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach
Cost: $350 General Admission through September 2, 2026, $450 Admission September 3 - November 8, 2026
Register for the NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit Here
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