UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers educational and networking events for community members and UNCW faculty, staff, and students. Register today to connect with others, learn something new, and advance your idea.
Additional weekly, monthly, and annual programs to support entrepreneurs and the ecosystem are described on the CIE Programs page.
Wednesday, June 5th | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
What: This 4-week program is an early-stage entrepreneurship course to enable founders to determine if there is business value in an idea. Each of the four sessions focused on different entrepreneurial design topics such as value proposition, identifying the customer's problem, competition, and market analysis.
Demo Day culminates the end of the cohort with a showcase of the companies and founders. Each company will have a chance to present and receive feedback and Q&A from the judges.
Who: Everyone is invited
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free, registration required
Sponsored by: Wells Fargo
Every Wednesday in June | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
What: Bluetech and blue economy entrepreneurs present information about their startups and organizations during 1 Million Cups Wilmington as part of World Ocean’s Day.
Who: Everyone is invited
Where: UNCW CIE
Cost: Free
Wednesday, September 4 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
Tuesday, September 17 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What: Turn knowledge to action at the UNCW Ocean Innovation Conference on September 17, 2024. Learn, engage, network, and spark new ideas to create ideas and solutions.
This is an high-energy conference for everyone from venture capital, elected officials, and startup founders to youth and concerned citizens. We hope that you join us.
Cost: Early registration, $70 (May 15-August 1)
Registration $100 (after August 1)
Scholarships for UNCW students and others may be available. Contact cie@uncw.edu for information.
Register hereWednesday, October 2 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
Wednesday, November 6 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
Every Wednesday at 9:00 AM at CIE or online.
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.