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.
June
Wilmington Innovation Forum: Neck Strength Assessment Tool (NSAT): From patent to commercialization
Thursday, June 4 | 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: Join Dr. Alexander McDaniel and learn about NSAT, an innovative AI and machine learning-powered system designed to measure neck strength and mitigate the risk of head and neck trauma like concussions.
- How the team approached the patent process
- Transitioning from patent to commercialization
- Information behind the funding received to date
Speaker: Dr. Alexander McDaniel
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
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:
- Coming soon
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 | 12:00 p.m. - 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
Registration coming soon!
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
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.
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!
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