NC IDEA's 5th Annual Ecosystem Summit Empowers Entrepreneurs

Why It Matters:

This event serves as a platform for sharing best practices, addressing concerns, and networking with like-minded individuals in order to empower and support North Carolina's entrepreneurial community.

The Details:

• The Ecosystem Summit is the anchor event for Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrating entrepreneurs who contribute to the American economy.

• The conference aims to empower North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential.

• The audience includes various entrepreneurial support organizations, local government agencies, schools supporting entrepreneurship, and co-working spaces.

• Over 50 speakers, including Elizabeth Dougherty from the USPTO, Matt Dunne from the Center on Rural Innovation, and Senator Thom Tillis, will share insights and expertise.

• Up-and-coming startups, such as BatteryXchange, Bayley, OpiAID, and WeyeZE, will be featured in entrepreneur spotlights.

2023 Agenda:

• Day 1: Focuses on the importance of supporting and protecting entrepreneurship development, highlighting the need for equal access to opportunity and resources.

• Day 2: Discusses policy and fostering innovation to ensure North Carolina remains competitive and drives economic prosperity.

• Day 3: Focuses on funding, concluding with the announcement of NC IDEA's $50k SEED grant recipients.

Summit Strategy:

• The Summit was established in 2019 to encourage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic development.

• After being held remotely in 2020 and 2021, the event returned to an in-person format last year with nearly 500 attendees.

• The event aims to support and grow North Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Conclusion:

The 5th Annual Ecosystem Summit provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and business leaders to come together, share knowledge, and shape the future of entrepreneurship in North Carolina.