Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming conferences, contests, workshops, application deadlines and socials happening across North Carolina in May.
Included are upcoming meetups, conferences, workshops, socials and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other areas across North Carolina.
This post is part of our weekly column of upcoming events. To find out what’s happening this month in the Triangle specifically, check out part one of this week’s column.
Another post previews events coming in June. Recurring monthly meetups in the Triangle are listed here.
These columns are an extension of our interactive calendar of tech and startup events. If you’d like to suggest an event to be added to the calendar, feel free to send me an email.
Velocity 2019 Conference
May 5-7 @The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
MercuryGate International, Inc., a Cary-based provider of SaaS-based transportation management system solutions, will be hosting its Velocity Conference in Las Vegas, featuring over 40 informative sessions on topics affecting the transportation management industry.
Utility Analytics Summit
May 6-8 @Westin Charlotte
Join this conference to find out how utilities are using data and analytics to drive innovation in the industry.
National Small Business Week @Forsyth Tech Small Business Center
May 6-10 @Forsyth Tech Small Business Center
During Small Business Week, the North Carolina Community College Small Business Center Network and Forsyth Technical Community College are offering a number of special workshops and educational events for the community. See the full list here.
Davidson PitchBreakfast
May 7, 8-10 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
In this monthly event, a group of three Davidson/Lake Norman-area companies will present their products and services for five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of experts. Breakfast and coffee provided.
Charlotte Healthcare Matchmaking
May 7, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. @Queens University Sports Complex
Join Healthtech Women in Charlotte for a day of networking, panels, workshops, presentations and a pitch competition featuring emerging innovations in healthcare technology.
Charlotte IoT Lunch & Learn: Concept to Delivery
May 7, 12-1 p.m. @The Launch Factory
Tim Sweet of DNA Group will lead a workshop guiding participants through the steps of design, prototyping, validation and launch for their products.
Winston-Salem M/WBE Mixer
May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Enterprise Center at S.G. Atkins CDC
At this free networking event, minority and woman-owned businesses can learn more about the opportunities to do business with local contractors in Winston-Salem. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
Startup Grind Charlotte: An Evening w/ Tariq Bokhari
May 7, 6-8:30 p.m. @AvidXchange HQ
Startup Grind Charlotte is back, hosting a fireside chat with Tariq Bokhari, Charlotte City Councilman and founder of Carolina Fintech Hub.
Charlotte PitchBreakfast
May 8, 8-10 a.m. @The Garage at Packard Place
Every month, a handful of Queen City-based companies headline Charlotte PitchBreakfast, pitching their products and services for a total of five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of entrepreneurs and experts.
Verna Miller Case Research & Creative Works Symposium
May 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Davidson College
This annual showcase features academic research, creative work and other projects developed by Davidson College students and faculty this year.
1 Million Cups Asheville
May 8, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks
Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
May On Tap: The Barking Deck
May 8, 5:30-8 p.m. @The Barking Deck
Join synerG and the Greensboro Jaycees for a social with local young professionals in Greensboro.
Talent Jam Charlotte: Startup Edition
May 8, 6-9 p.m. @Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts
Hosted by StartCharlotte, Talent Jam Charlotte connects local tech and creative talent with companies that need them. The event features dueling open-mic pitches from employers and jobseekers, plus a networking reception.
Spark Session, Featuring Michael Whelchel of Big Path Capital
May 9, 8-9 a.m. @Hatchworks Coworking
Join Venture Asheville and Hatch AVL for an engaging talk with Big Path Capital Managing Director Michael Welche.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
May 9, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Idea Tap Davidson
May 9, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking – Davidson
Held by Flywheel at the HurtHub@Davidson once a month, the Idea Tap Davidson event series offers local entrepreneurs the opportunity to share their ideas through short pitch sessions and network with like-minded innovators in the community.
UNCW AI Meetup
May 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Every month this meetup group joins to discuss a hot topic in the artificial intelligence space. Join to hear insights and meet others in the Wilmington AI community.
Charlotte Biomedical 2019
May 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @UNC Charlotte Center City Building
UNC Charlotte’s Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science is hosting its annual symposium followed by a student poster competition. Representatives from Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Levine Cancer Institute, Cannon Research Center and OrthoCarolina Research Institute will present keynotes.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
May 10, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
Application Deadline: Real-Time Payments Buildathon
May 10
Carolina Fintech Hub and The Clearing House are teaming up to host a buildathon this summer in which startup teams are tasked with creating products/services to meet needs in one of four categories: B2B, consumer payments, next wave of digital native business and back-office improvement. The finalists will present their solutions at The Clearing House’s Payments Perspective Conference in New York City. Applications to the program are open until May 10.
LaunchLab Growth Demo Day
May 13, 5-7:30 p.m. @Co//ab
Hear about the latest innovations in the Triad at this pitch and demo event featuring Launch Lab Growth’s latest cohort.
IGNITE Innovation Week 2019
May 13-18, Lake Norman
This week-long innovation celebration is presented in partnership with the Town of Cornelius, Launch Lake Norman and the local business community. More details here.
Velocity Creative Accelerator Info Session (Asheville)
May 14, 12-1 p.m. @Venture Asheville
Velocity, a new 9-week accelerator from the Center for Creative Economy in Winston-Salem, delivers one-on-one online and in-person programming with mentors. Join this brief info session to learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due June 2.
RIoT XXXVI: IoT, Energy & Cleantech
May 14, 6-8 p.m. @Levine Museum of the New South
RIoT and Charlotte IoT are hosting a free event covering the latest projects, organizations and companies that are leading IoT’s expansion into the energy/cleantech sector.
RxIQ: Idea-a-Thon to Hack Healthcare
May 14, 6-8 p.m. @Hurt Hub@Davidson
Part of IGNITE Innovation Week, this free hackathon explorers the future of healthcare, giving participants a space to brainstorm solutions to problems in the healthcare space using machine learning, privacy-preservation technologies and other data-focused applications. No experience is necessary to participate.
VR Party
May 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Join this event to explore VR tech hands-on—learn how it works, what it can do, and try it out for yourself.
Reach Your Customers Online with Google
May 15, 8:30-10:30 a.m. @Western Carolina University at Biltmore Park
Google’s Get Your Business Online program covers search engine optimization, online advertising, Google Analytics and Google Trends, among other important topics business owners need to know when advertising their brand online. This event is presented by the Small Business & Technology Development Center at Western Carolina University, Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Venture Asheville.
1 Million Cups Asheville
May 15, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks
Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Velocity Creative Accelerator Info Session (Greensboro)
May 15, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Greensboro
Velocity, a new 9-week accelerator from the Center for Creative Economy in Winston-Salem, delivers one-on-one online and in-person programming with mentors. Join this brief info session to learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due June 2.
Packard Place Public House
May 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Packard Place
On the third Wednesday of every month, the Queen City’s entrepreneurial community joins together for an evening of networking and connections over drinks.
Spring Cleaning for Startups: Fireside Chat w/ 2ULaundry
May 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Startup Grind Davidson is hosting a fireside chat with Alex Smereczniak, CEO and co-founder of 2ULaundry, who will share his entrepreneurial journey, his experience in Techstars Atlanta and Wake Forest University’s entrepreneurship program, and lessons learned along the way.
Carolina Fintech Hub Monthly Meetup
May 16, 4-5 p.m. @Packard Place
The discussion theme for this month’s Carolina Fintech Hub meetup is on 5G. The event also features a live recording of the Fintech Moshpit.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
May 16, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Founders & Funders Happy Hour
May 16, 6-8 p.m. @204 North Kitchen and Cocktails
StartCharlotte is hosting an informal networking event for startup founders, investors and partners. Free beverages and hors d’oeuvres provided.
Women in Tech: Charlotte
May 17, 8:30-10:30 a.m. @Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theater
NC TECH is hosting a panel discussion on how the tech sector can expand its female workforce.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
May 17, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
LaunchCamp Tech
May 18-19
LaunchCamp Tech, sponsored by NC IDEA, is a weekend workshop covering business model frameworks, funnel-building strategies, design methods, and more related concepts. Applications are due May 4.
Energy Technology Series Featuring Cellwatch
May 20, 4:30-6 p.m. @UNC Charlotte – EPIC
Join energy professionals for a presentation on emerging energy technology from Cellwatch Frontier, a solution for rail, telecom and power utilities.
Lunch & Learn: Demystifying the Patent Process
May 21, 12-1 p.m. @The Launch Factory
At this lunch and learn, SotoIP Co-Founder and Patent Attorney John Sotomayor covers everything from patent type definitions and qualifications, to the application process, to building an IP portfolio.
2019 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards
May 22, 7:30-10 a.m. @UNCW Burney Center
UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal are co-hosting an awards program to spotlight the latest leaders and entrepreneurs in the Cape Fear region’s business community. (More coverage here.)
1 Million Cups Asheville
May 22, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks
Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Young Professionals Mixer
May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Bulla Gastrobar
Join the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance for the next YP networking event. Registration is $5 in advance or $10 at the door.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
May 23, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
May 24, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
Cape Fear Women in Tech Meetup
May 28, 5:30-7 p.m. @tekMountain
Cape Fear Women in Tech’s next meetup features a talk with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Executive and Vice Chair of U.S. Women in Nuclear Jhansi Kandasamy.
1 Million Cups Asheville
May 29, 9-10 a.m. @RISC Networks
Asheville’s entrepreneurial community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Behind the Scenes: Silicon Valley, USA
May 29, 5-7:30 p.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
LaunchLKN is hosting a talk with entrepreneur John East, previously of Fairchild Semiconductor and Actel. He’ll share his perspective on watching Silicon Valley grow to the status it has reached today.
Technical Resume Writing Workshop
May 29, 7-8:30 p.m.
Tech Talent South is hosting a free resume writing workshop where a seasoned IT professional will provide tips for success.
Skookum Volcano Tour
May 30, 12-1 p.m. @Skookum Charlotte
Join an open tour of the Skookum office to get an introduction to the tech and ideas powering the community. The Skookum team will be available for any questions or comments participants may have. Lunch will be provided.
NEWilm Event, Featuring Bronto Software Co-Founder Joe Colopy
May 30, 4-7 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
For its next event, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington will host a conversation with Joe Colopy, co-founder of Bronto Software, who will share his entrepreneurial journey and latest work as the founder of GrepBeat.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
May 30, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
May 31, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.