1. Message From the Director

As 2023 comes to a close, rushing in a flurry of holidays and celebrations, I invite you to pause and reflect how far you have come with your #startupgoals this year. I am so happy for you, whether you’re wildly successful, in a valley, or learning from failure. You’re doing important work...driving our economy and competitiveness. We see you.👏

At CIE, we believe that entrepreneurship and innovation empowers ideas, people, and our community. We understand that entrepreneurship is the silent engine of our economy creating 98% net new job growth. Startups:

• create homegrown jobs
• grow GDP
• increase lifetime incomes
• increase community wealth
• diversify goods and services, and
• fight inequality and poverty.

However, according to Victor Hwang, Right to Start Founder & CEO at the NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit, 69% of entrepreneurs feel that the government doesn't care about them and 41% surveyed said that they would start a business in the next 6 months if they could (barriers cited included insufficient capital, a range of government red tape, health care, training, and noncompetes).😔

While we can't solve everything, CIE offers a supportive environment, education, mentorship, connection, and more along your journey. We all have an innate desire to be changemakers and doers and we want you to build your dreams.

Thank you for your role at CIE in 2023 - whether it was being an entrepreneurial advocate, an investor, or an educator. Special shout out to:

• Entrepreneurs who are risking everything to see their vision come to life,
• CIE interns who help us to run our operations and make crazy videos like this (We work at #UNCWCIE)
• CIE sponsors and donors who believe in our mission, and
• CIE Mentors, the Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue), and our volunteers - as well as our ecosystem partners and UNCW educators - who give their time and talent selflessly, without hesitation, to help other people be their best selves.

A wise man(*) recently said it takes courage to be optimistic. Be courageous! Rest up during the holidays. Fill your bucket. We all have work to do to make the world a better place. See you in 2024 if not before. - Heather

(*)Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA CEO, NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit, Nov 2023.

2. Meet the New CIE Program Manager

Lydia Bjorklund

Please join us in welcoming Lydia Bjorklund, our new Program Manager at the CIE! Lydia is your point-of-contact for all matters related to CIE programs. 

Lydia is a start-up program manager specializing in blue economy. Before joining the CIE, Lydia supported entrepreneurs in all stages at First Flight Venture Center, creating and executing on a suite of programs such as a pre-accelerator, pitch practices, community and stakeholder engagement, and running a 12-week accelerator program. She also worked with a bluetech start-up platform, SeaAhead Inc., conducting due diligence for their angel group. Her passions include supporting entrepreneurs on their journey to success and creating a blue economy cluster in North Carolina. Lydia holds a BS in Marine Science and a BS in Environmental Sciences from North Carolina State University.

We are delighted to welcome such a skilled program manager to our team and eagerly anticipate the remarkable achievements we will accomplish with Lydia!

Welcome, Lydia!

3. Incubator Spotlight: It's A Go Pursuits

It is with great excitement that we extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest tenant, Jessica Kovar, joining us at the CIE with It's A Go Pursuits. Jessica brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation that aligns perfectly with the dynamic spirit of our community. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the positive energy, collaboration, and creativity she will undoubtedly contribute to our shared space. 

4. GEW Wilmington Recap

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Wilmington is a celebration of entrepreneurship in the greater Wilmington region. It highlighted why entrepreneurs thrive in our region, from great educational programs to supporting all entrepreneurs to building a robust investor community and more.

In 2023, GEW was supported by many Wilmington Coalition partners and UNCW programs including: Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, Channel powered by Live Oak Bank, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, and UNCW Cameron School of Business, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Research and Innovation. 

This year's GEW events achieved remarkable success, fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit within the community, with roughly 2000 people participating! We have highlighted several of these successful events below.

Mentor Madness

Mentor Madness is a fast-paced, caffeinated speed mentoring program at CIE to connect startup and scaleup entrepreneurs with expert advisors. It proved to be a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of dedicated mentors and aspiring entrepreneurs. We extend our gratitude to all those who contributed their time, expertise, and support, making this event a valuable experience for everyone involved.

Seahawk Innovation Challenge

Congratulations to all of the UNCW students that competed in the 1st Annual Seahawk Innovation Challenge! This competition allowed students to submit their business ideas and compete for a chance to win $1,000. Thank you to Jamie Stalfort for organizing this incredible event, and thanks to NC IDEA for their sponsorship! We are looking forward the next one!

An article by Robert Burress, Dean of Cameron School of Business, and Jamie Stalfort also featured the event, and it was shared on Wilmington Biz. We are very proud of our student entrepreneurs for all of their hard work, and click here to view the article.

Entrepreneur Day

On November 15th, UNCW students and New Hanover County high school students had the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and ask their questions! The participating entrepreneurs and companies were:

• Jack Fleming - Scourz and Socialry Marketing
• Daniel Henderson - CampyAI
• Stefanie Adams - WNY People Development
• Derek Schmidt - Design Loud
• Jose Quiras - F3TCH
• David Reeser - OpiAid
• Landon Hill - Local Catch
• Wes & Kristen Bechtel - Boombalatti's
• Dawn McDowell - Creatively Covered
• Ryan Gillespie - Peak Athletics
• Jessica Kirst - Eagle Eye Marketing
• Paul Baron - The Wall Printer

This was a great opportunity for students to learn about entrepreneurship as a career path, and to connect them with the Wilmington community. 

Working Together in Wilmington panel at NC IDEA Summit

On November 14th, The NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit dedicated a panel to the entrepreneurial community in Wilmington. CIE director Heather McWhorter, NEW (Network for Entrepreneurs Wilmington) Director Jim Roberts, Chakema Clinton Quintana from Live Oak Bank, and Lakesha McDay from NHC Endowment all participated as the panel's keynote speakers. Each speaker added to the discussion of how Wilmington has transformed from a tourism destination to a vibrant hub of innovation and an exciting start-up ecosystem. 

The event was held to highlight and foster entrepreneurial success across North Carolina and featured a variety of sessions with speakers state and nationwide. Entrepreneurs were able to gain insight on how to help their businesses and learn about various resources that are offered to them. The event was held in Raleigh and lasted two days as a part this year's Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). 

GEW emerged as a resounding success, fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial growth in the Wilmington Community. We are so thankful for everyone who made this week possible and all those who participated in the events throughout the week.

5. Wisely, Inc, Named a Finalist in $3 Million Grow-NY Business Competition

WISELY, INC., led by Rachelle McCray, was chosen among the top 20 finalists for Grow-NY, a food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge which attracts entrepreneurs from across the globe. Wisely creates patent-pending smart food storage containers that reduce household and agriculture food waste with an innovative approach. Rachelle and her team joined 19 other finalists from around the world to compete for $3 million in prize money, including a $1 million grand prize. 

6. Forte in the Classroom

CIE Tenants, Hoop Morgan and Jessica Wolfe from the Forte Institute, spoke to a UNCW MGT-350 (Principles of Management) class! The students completed a resiliency survey an Forte presented their results summary. 

The Forte Institute is providing the students with: 

• A resiliency report on their in class team dynamics groups 
• Three future resiliency reports 
• Tools to build team communication skills 

We love seeing our tenants contribute to UNCW student success! Thanks Hoop and Jessica for sharing your knowledge with our Seahawks! 

7. Upcoming Events - Register Today!

1 Million Cups Wilmington 

Every Wednesday at 9:00 AM, entrepreneurs and the community gather to hear from an entrepreneur or two and to provide suggestions and connections to help them. If you are an entrepreneur and have been in business less than 5 years, please visit the website and apply to present.

All Blue 201

Tuesday, December 5th | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

What is the Blue Economy? This workshop will delve into a more comprehensive discussion of the blue economy in North Carolina. During the workshop, we will examine various aspects of the blue economy and these questions will be answered: 

• What is the blue economy and what does it mean to North Carolina and to the United States?
• What aspects of the blue economy surround the Cape Fear Region?  Why is it critical to the local economy?
• What are some of the developments in the blue economy in our region?
• What types of opportunities are there to get involved as we see greater investment in the blue economy?

This event is currently SOLD OUT, however if you are still interested in attending, please contact cie@uncw.edu to join the waiting list!

Intentional -- Plan for a Remarkable Year

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Develop your own plan for a remarkable 2024 in this workshop. Facilitators will help you intentionally develop your plan for success. This event is for entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, and students, and anyone interested in developing a plan for a successful 2023.

NC TECH State of the Tech Industry (NC STIR) Briefing at CIE 

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM

NC TECH is hosting a supplemental briefing in Wilmington for the annual North Carolina State of Technology Industry Report (NC STIR). The STIR provides a snapshot of North Carolina's tech sector. The actual report serves as a repository of facts, statistics, trends, narratives, and insights into NC’s tech industry. It is a guide for companies considering headquarters relocation or operations establishment and a source of information on tech trends for policymakers. It also serves as a collection of stories that highlight the vibrancy of the state’s tech sector.

Hustle N Harvest

Are you an entrepreneur looking for a guide to grow your company?  Look no further, Hustle N Harvest is a free online training program that provides a "Lean Business Canvas" outline designed to help you gain knowledge from experts in the local area and develop your business.

Propel

Propel offers participants in the shellfish mariculture industry a business incubator curriculum and process to assist growers through the stages of business launch and growth. This fully online business training series presents new growers with concepts and challenges of business ownership unique to shellfish growers. This program also provides resources that can be used after the course has been completed.

Contact cie@uncw.edu for more information.

The Coalition

Your go-to business resource for Southeast North Carolina.

Partners throughout the region have a variety of events each month. 

Check out the Monthly Community Calendar for details.

9. CIE in the News

 UNCW workshop to examine aspects of blue economy - Coastal Review

• The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is hosting a workshop called "All Blue 201" to discuss various aspects of North Carolina's coastal economy. 

Celebrating Student Entrepreneurs and Global Entrepreneurship Week at UNCW

• The University of North Carolina Wilmington's participation in Global Entrepreneurship Week is highlighted in an article sponsored by the Dean Cameron School of Business, Robert Burress, and contributed by CSB Entrepreneurship Lecturer, Jamie Stalfort. 

UNCW Develops Blue Economy Financial Index

• This article explores the development of the Blue Economy Financial Index created by the University of North Carolina Wilmington, aiming to measure the economic impact of the Blue Economy. The index provides a comprehensive evaluation of the coastal economy, including sectors such as shipping, tourism, fisheries, and marine technology, among other sectors, to gauge the overall health of the Blue Economy. 

Entrepreneurs Thrive Here 

In this Wilmington Business Journal article Heather McWhorter highlights what makes the Wilmington Entrepreneurial Ecosystem unique. Read her list here:

Entrepreneurs Thrive Here by Heather McWhorter - Sponsored Insights - WilmingtonBiz

10. Parting Thought

“Our greatest natural resource is the entrepreneurial potential of people.”

- Thom Ruhe, NC IDEA,

NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit,

November 2023