Innovate Charlotte

🚨 January is packed with opportunities for Charlotte's startup ecosystem! 🚨 Here’s what you need to know: 🗓️ PitchBreakfast - January 8 - https://bit.ly/40jYZrS 🎨 gWen (Growing Women Entrepreneurs Network)'s Female Founder Vision Board Party - January 16 - https://bit.ly/4iBqS61 💡 NC IDEA's Spring Grant Info Session - January 16 - https://bit.ly/401OlEU 💼 Private Business Roundtable's Capital Raising Panel - January 22 - https://bit.ly/3Poh69Q 🧑💻 Method's Designing for Different Purposes in Financial Services - January 30 - https://bit.ly/4fFDjLf 📅 LaunchCLT's CO.STARTERS Program Application Deadline - January 31 - https://bit.ly/3WxVACU 🚀 gener8tor's gBETA Program Application Deadline - February 3 - https://bit.ly/3ZEtNSH Mark your calendars and get ready to start the year strong! 📅 #InnovateCharlotte #StartupEvents #Entrepreneurship #Networking #Innovation #CLTStartups #CLTFounders

🚀 Calling all Charlotte entrepreneurs! 🚀 Innovate Charlotte is partnering with NC IDEA to bring you an exclusive Spring 2025 Grant Info Session designed to help you unlock funding opportunities and take your venture to the next level! 📅 Event Details: 📍 Do Greater, Inc. | Creative Labs 🕒 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM 📅 January 16 🌟 What to Expect: 🔹 Learn about NC IDEA MICRO & SEED Grants—what they are, how they work, and the benefits of being a recipient. 🔹 Get insider tips and best practices for writing a successful application. 🔹 Ask your burning questions during the Q&A session. 🔹 Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and startup community leaders over food and drinks. 🎟️ Seats are limited! One person per registration. Secure your spot now. https://bit.ly/407ObgC Let’s build the future of innovation together. See you there! #InnovateCharlotte #NCIDEA #CharlotteStartups #Entrepreneurship

🚀 Ready to kick off 2025 with momentum? Here's a lineup of can’t-miss opportunities to help founders grow and scale in 2025: 🎤 Apply to Pitch at PitchBreakfast 📅 Deadline: December 31 PitchBreakfast is the perfect place to practice your pitch, face challenging questions, and get feedback from seasoned investors. Don’t miss your chance to refine your story in this supportive environment. Apply now! https://bit.ly/3KzeYsB 💡 Make It Happen Month 📅 All January Long This 30-day challenge is all about action. No lectures, no fluff—just a community of doers taking courageous steps toward their goals. It’s time to stop planning and start creating. Will you join the movement? https://bit.ly/3VomFIM 🖼️ gWen (Growing Women Entrepreneurs Network)’s Female Founder Vision Board Event 📅 January 16 Together, you’ll: ⭐ Clarify your 2025 vision for an intentional, fulfilling life ⭐ Break down big goals into actionable steps ⭐ Gain feedback and connect with fellow female founders 📍 All supplies included! Bring extra magazines or your past vision board to share your journey. https://bit.ly/4iBqS61 🧑💻 Apply for gener8tor’s gBETA Charlotte Program 📅 Deadline: February 3 This free, seven-week accelerator helps startups grow and get investor-ready with: 🚀 One-on-one coaching 🚀 "Lunch & Learns" and "Mentor Swarms" 🚀 $1M+ in perks from top vendors 🚀 Get expert guidance and join a powerful network of innovators. https://bit.ly/3ZEtNSH 📘 Blueprint Tour by T Palmer Agency 📅 February 25 The Blueprint Tour is more than networking—it’s about preparing for what’s next. Learn to build a resilient business while prioritizing well-being. https://bit.ly/4gFn69J Let’s make 2025 the year of bold moves and big wins for Charlotte’s founders. Which of these opportunities are you most excited about?👇 #StartupEcosystem #CharlotteFounders #InnovateCLT #2025Goals

🚀 Innovative Talent. Unique Connections. Unforgettable Night. On November 20, we hosted Talent Jam during Global Entrepreneurship Week, and it was a hit! 🎉 We flipped the script on traditional networking and created a space where Charlotte's most innovative startups met Charlotte's top talent in a fun, fresh, and engaging way. This wasn't your typical career fair. No piles of resumes, no cover letters. Just real people, real conversations, and real opportunities to connect, grow, and collaborate. 💡✨ Check out this highlight reel capturing the energy, personality, and innovation that made the night so special. 🎥 💬 Were you there? Share your favorite moment in the comments! And if you missed it, stay tuned—we're already planning the next big thing. 👀 #TalentJam #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #CharlotteInnovation #StartupEcosystem

🚀 Don't miss the final PitchBreakfast of 2024! 🎉 Join us as we come together one last time this year to celebrate Charlotte's rising startup founders and their incredible journey. Let's wrap up the year with inspiration, innovation, and community! 📅 Wednesday, December 11 Register today: https://bit.ly/3CLfhAU #PitchBreakfast #CharlotteStartups #InnovateCharlotte #StartupCommunity

🎉 Congratulations to Charlotte's Fast 50 Award Winners! 🎉 The Charlotte Business Journal recently recognized the Fast 50 Award Winners, honoring the fastest-growing private companies in the Charlotte region. We're thrilled to see so many familiar names on this prestigious list—several of them are Innovate Charlotte's key partners and top startups! 👏 Shoutout to: Lucid Bots for their cutting-edge innovations Dualboot Partners for their exceptional tech expertise PetScreening for reshaping the pet industry Undergrads for redefining student-powered services At Innovate Charlotte, we’re passionate about supporting the growth and success of the region's startup ecosystem. It's inspiring to see the hard work and innovation of these companies recognized on such a prominent stage. Congratulations to all the winners—you’re paving the way for Charlotte’s bright entrepreneurial future! 🚀https://bit.ly/3ZskSnt Todd Buelow Andrew Ashur Chris Dyer Thomas Mumford John R. Bradford, III #InnovateCharlotte #Fast50 #Startups #CharlotteNC #Entrepreneurship

✨ A Night to Remember ✨ During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we partnered with T Palmer Agency to host an exclusive, high-touch Founder Dinner that brought together the best Charlotte Tech Founders and Funders. This event was a true celebration of innovation and connection. Set against a chic backdrop, the evening was filled with inspiring conversations, meaningful connections, and a shared vision for the future of entrepreneurship. 🚀💡 #FounderCommunity #InnovateCharlotte #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #TechLeadership #CLTFounders

Our former team member, Candice Kelly, is kicking off the New Year with Make It Happen Month – a 30-day challenge designed to transform big ideas into tangible creations. 🌟 This isn’t your typical class or coaching program. It’s a community-powered movement to stop overthinking and start doing. Whether your dream is to write the first chapter of a book, launch a website, create a song, or paint your masterpiece – this challenge is your chance to make it happen. By the end of January, you won’t just have plans. You’ll have proof of progress – a real, tangible version of your idea! 💡 Ready to take action? Learn more and sign up here: https://bit.ly/3VomFIM #MakingItHappen #InnovateCharlotte #TakeAction #CreatorsCommunity

📊 State of Startups in the Southeast 2024 is here! This year’s report by BIP Ventures reveals how the Southeast is navigating a new era of stability after years of volatility. With capital and valuations finding balance, and AI evolving from a product to a powerful tool, the startup ecosystem is maturing like never before. In the Southeast, investors are focusing on quality over hype, fueling a stronger, more competitive landscape. The trends are clear: we're poised for growth, innovation, and a healthier entrepreneurial future. Check out the report and explore how these insights are shaping the road ahead. https://bit.ly/3CW29ZX #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SoutheastStartups

The startup ecosystem is buzzing this month, and we’ve got you covered with a calendar full of must-attend events. 🌟 No more hunting through countless sites to find what’s happening—we’ve rounded up December’s top opportunities to help you connect, grow, and thrive: 📅 12/3: Beyond the Idea: Founder Fundamentals Hosted by FINSIDERS, this event dives into the essentials for innovation-led Founders—risk management, compliance, and building a stellar team. https://bit.ly/3OywUX4 📅 12/5: State of the U.S. Economy & Its Impact on Charlotte Tech Firms Tech Leaders Forum of Charlotte welcomes Mark Vitner, Chief Economist of Piedmont Crescent Capital, for insights into what’s ahead for tech in Charlotte. https://bit.ly/3ZHj1g1 📅 12/5: LAKE NORMAN IT PROFESSIONALS Annual Holiday Party A festive evening of fun, networking, and giving back, co-hosted with CHARLOTTE IT PROFESSIONALS and Society For Information Management (SIM) Charlotte Chapter. https://bit.ly/4gejpaX 📅 12/11: PitchBreakfast Watch three local Founders pitch their startups and gain valuable feedback from investors at this year’s final PitchBreakfast. https://bit.ly/3CLfhAU 📅 12/11: 1 Million Cups Lake Norman Enjoy coffee, conversation, and meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs in the community. https://bit.ly/4f5x1Ve 📅 12/12: AI & The Energy Grid Join Method and Dave Goddard from Hitachi Energy to explore how AI is shaping a sustainable energy future. https://bit.ly/4i8bxcO 📅 12/18: Founders & Funders Holiday Happy Hour Celebrate the holidays with Innovate Charlotte, fellow Founders, and Funders. Sponsored by Pattern50, this is your chance to mingle, share ideas, and toast to a successful year ahead! https://bit.ly/3YPYGTH 👉 Don’t miss out— RSVP for one or all these events. Let’s finish 2024 strong, together! 💪 #CharlotteStartups #FounderFocus #InnovateCharlotte #NetworkingOpportunities #StartupEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #EventsInCLT #DreamBigBuildSmart