Plenty of technology and life science events and deadlines are on tap for March, and we suggest you pencil them into your calendar soon.
If you’re interested in events coming up in the immediate future, check out our two-part list of February events in the Triangle and in other regions across North Carolina. We’ve also put together an exclusive roundup of upcoming deadlines for startup-focused programs in North Carolina.
Also, check out our list of 140 meetups in the Triangle.
These columns accompany our interactive calendar, along with a comprehensive resource package for startups in the Triangle.
Keeping up with WRAL TechWire’s continued initiative to track events happening across North Carolina, here’s a look at what’s to come in March:
Application Deadline: IdeaFest Pitch Competition
March 2
At The Launch Place’s 7th annual IdeaFest on April 2, a group of 20 startups will get to present their pitches to a live audience and panel of judges, competing for a total of $10,000 in prizes.
Application Deadline: NC IDEA SEED Grant
March 2
NC IDEA is seeking applicants for its upcoming spring 2020 SEED grant program, which offers a select group of early-stage startups $50,000 in funding for validating target markets, growing and scaling before they seek future investments. Recipients will also receive mentorship from NC IDEA and access to its network.
Application Deadline: NC IDEA MICRO Grant
March 2
NC IDEA is seeking applicants for its upcoming spring 2020 MICRO grant program, which offers funding of up to $10,000 for early-stage companies seeking to validate and further develop their ideas. Recipients will also receive mentorship from NC IDEA and access to its network.
PharmSci 2020
March 3, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. @The Rizzo Center
This conference will feature keynotes, presentations and discussions on how open science is impacting medical research and drug discovery.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @Caktus Group
Code for Durham brings together technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and activists to collaborate on civic technology projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays. Pizza will be provided.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 4, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
1 Million Cups CLT
March 4, 8:30-10 a.m.
Held every month, 1 Million Cups Charlotte features a presentation from a local startup followed by a Q&A from the community. Free coffee is included.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 4, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
2020 Capital Connects
March 4, 4-8:30 p.m. @Union Square
This event will feature eight-minute pitches from several local startups, competing for a $7,500 award package.
2020 NC STIR Briefing (Wilmington)
March 5, 3:30-6 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
At this event, NC TECH will release its sixth annual State of Technology Industry Report and Tech Directory, capturing North Carolina’s tech sector and including a directory of all NC TECH members.
Larger Than Life Science
March 5, 4-7 p.m. @The Chesterfield
Meet fellow entrepreneurs, get tips on growing your company and network with members of the life science community at Larger Than Life Science, a free event presented by LaunchBio.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 5, 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.
Alternative Investments Conference
March 5 @The Carolina Inn
UNC’s annual Alternative Investments Conference a forum for investment managers, institutional investors and academics to network, share ideas and stay updated on the latest industry trends.
Get2Know NC TECH Webinar
March 6, 9-9:30 a.m.
This free monthly interactive webinar provides participants with an overview of NC TECH’s activities, resources and member offerings.
UNC Institute for Private Capital Spring Research Symposium
March 6
Following the Alternative Investments Conference, UNC’s Institute for Private Capital will host a symposium bringing together academics and industry leaders to discuss new and forthcoming research on alternative asset classes.
Open Data Day
March 6, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. @Wake Tech RTP Campus
Join NC Open Pass to celebrate International Open Data Day with programming and projects.
Triangle Biotech Tuesday
March 10, 5:15-7:30 p.m. @5 Laboratory Drive
Triangle Biotech Tuesday is a monthly meetup that connects scientific professionals across the RTP/greater Triangle area. Join for food, drinks and networking with professionals from different industries. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month.
Pints & Pitches Chapel Hill
March 10, 6-7:30 p.m. @The Pit Chapel Hill
Join Chapel Hill Economic Development for appetizers and networking with local entrepreneurs, startup teams, freelancers and professionals. Attendees can pitch their business ideas. More coverage here.
Code for Chapel Hill
March 10, 6-8 p.m. @Town of Chapel Hill
Join the Code for Chapel Hill meetup to network with like-minded individuals and work on civic hacking projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 11, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
Charlotte PitchBreakfast
March 11, 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.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 11, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Atlantic Region Muster Across America Tour
March 12, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. @MetLife GTO, Cary
This annual program convenes hundreds of attendees for a day of business pitches, keynotes, networking, breakouts and a marketplace featuring veteran-led startups and veteran entrepreneurs.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 12, 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.
Triangle Tech Net
March 13, 7-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions
This free bi-monthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
2020 Diversity + Inclusion Summit
March 13, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @Sheraton Imperial Hotel
NC TECH’s Diversity + Inclusion Summit will bring together C-level executives, D + I professionals and organizational leaders to discuss the benefits of a diverse workplace.
Opportunities 2020
March 15, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @Renaissance Asheville Hotel
This event is an opportunity for local small businesses to learn how they can market their products/services to federal, state and local government agencies and contractors.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @Caktus Group
Code for Durham brings together technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and activists to collaborate on civic technology projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays. Pizza will be provided.
Ice House Facilitator Training
March 17-19 (Durham/RTP area)
NC IDEA’s three-day Ice House Facilitator Training provides education and insight on the entrepreneurial mindset to innovators who want to solve complex problems.
CED Venture Connect Summit
March 17-19 @Raleigh Convention Center
Join the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, along with entrepreneurs, seasoned experts and investors for three days of valuable content and connections within the tech and life sciences ecosystems. More TechWire coverage here.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 18, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 18, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Packard Place Public House
March 18, 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.
2020 Lead Your City
March 19, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. @UNCG, Elliot University Center
This annual event helps young professionals grow their leadership skills, build on their ideas, serve their community and connect their network. Morgan Radford, Greensboro native and network correspondent for NBC News, will be the keynote speaker.
How Digital Transformation Can Drive the Best Customer Experience
March 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @The Frontier
Join Zendesk for this lunch & learn to hear how your organization can improve its customer experience (CX) strategy.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 19, 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.
Code for Chapel Hill
March 24, 6-8 p.m. @Town of Chapel Hill
Join the Code for Chapel Hill meetup to network with like-minded individuals and work on civic hacking projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays.
1 Million Cups Lake Norman
March 25, 7:30-9 a.m. @Hurt Hub @Davidson
Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs in the Lake Norman area join to present their companies to mentors, advisers and other startups. Join to meet new people and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs.
1 Million Cups Asheville
March 25, 9-10 a.m. @Archetype Brewing
Asheville’s startup community meets weekly to hear presentations and support one another in continuing to grow.
Wake Tech Business & Computer Technologies Career Fair
March 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. @Wake Tech South Campus, Student Services Building Conference Center
This career fair is an opportunity for Wake Technical Community College students to grow their network and meet local employers. The event is open to current curriculum students in Wake Tech’s Business, Computer Science and Digital Arts, Networking and Computer Technologies programs.
Skookum Volcano Tour
March 26, 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.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
March 26, 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.
Triangle Tech Net
March 27, 7-10 a.m. @Family Legacy Financial Solutions
This free bi-monthly event offers a space for local tech professionals to build connections and find potential job opportunities.
Tech Job Fair: Charlotte
March 27, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @NOAH’s Event Venue
NC TECH’s Job Fair series connects local tech talent to the companies and organizations looking to hire in the community.
RIoT Developer Day 2020
March 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. @Wake Tech Community College (RTP Campus)
This full-day event includes several hands-on workshops and tech talks. Tickets are free.
Conscientious Capitalism: Labor Trafficking & Supply Chains
March 27, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. @Kenan Center
This free, half-day symposium brings together both national and North Carolina-based C-suite executives, government officials and non-profit leaders to examine how labor trafficking manifests in global supply chains and in those of local businesses in North Carolina.
Techstars Startup Weekend Wilmington
March 27-29 @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
During this immersive Startup Weekend experience presented by Techstars, Wilmington-based developers, designers, marketers, students and innovators can collaborate together in teams to start their own projects and pitch their ideas to the audience for feedback.
Code for Durham: Civic Hacking Session
March 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m. @Caktus Group
Code for Durham brings together technologists, designers, developers, data scientists, map makers and activists to collaborate on civic technology projects. Meetings are held every two weeks on Tuesdays. Pizza will be provided.
SEED20 OnStage
March 31, 5:30-10 p.m. @Knight Theater
Social Venture Partners’ annual SEED20 program features innovative ideas that are designed to tackle the most pressing social challenges in the region. Up to 10 finalists will compete for cash prizes and present their pitches to a live audience and panel of judges.
2020 FREEDM Research Symposium
March 31 – April 2 @Hunt Library, NCSU Centennial Campus
Join researchers and academics, students and industry representatives at FREEDM Systems Center‘s annual symposium for keynote presentations, updates on FREEDM research and technical tutorials.
Downtown Techies Happy Hours @Midtown
March 31, 7-9 p.m. @Fox and Hound
Bring your ideas and opinions to the next Midtown Techies meetup. Events are held on the last Tuesday of every month.
