2. New Year, New Opportunities: Membership

      As 2024 begins, we invite you to CIEze the opportunity of becoming a member of CIE. Membership at CIE empowers you to strategically      .....position yourself at the forefront of innovation.

• Stay ahead of the curve: Gain access to our members-only newsletter that provides insights into valuable industry trends, new funding opportunities, and resources within Wilmington's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
• Support innovation: Your membership directly strengthens the CIE's mission to foster an entrepreneurial community across our region.

• Elevate your game: Receive discounted access to a diverse range of CIE programs and events designed to sharpen your business skills.

• Amplify your brand: Utilize the expertise of the CIE media team at a discounted rate to craft compelling narratives and impactful visual content that resonate with your target audience.

• Forge valuable connections: Network with established entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors within the CIE community, fostering strategic partnerships and unlocking doors to new possibilities.

     Fuel your own innovation while igniting the entrepreneurial drive of our vibrant community. Join us and be a catalyst for change as we work ....together to shape the future of entrepreneurship in our region.

3. Top 15 Moments of 2023

In 2023, the CIE celebrated remarkable success, fostering a dynamic ecosystem that empowered aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Through collaborative partnerships and a commitment to nurturing creative ideas, the center played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and support for entrepreneurs in Wilmington. The Top 15 Moments:

1. Selling out the inaugural Ocean Innovation Conference – For the awesome highlight reel by the CIE Media Team, check out this link.🌊

2. Receiving the regional, multi-partner NSF NC Ecotechnology Prospective Engine Award – And starting work on creating a new ecotech engine as a future economy.

3. Celebrating CIE’s 10 Year Anniversary – What a turnout! (and what a hot day!) A great celebration with dignitaries including Sammy Seahawk.

4. Organizing the UNCW Student Entrepreneurship Scavenger Hunt – Launched with the help of the Entrepreneurship Club and it was a ton of fun!🏆

5. Celebrating Entrepreneurs at the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards – Also the moment when CIE Mentor and UNCW Entrepreneurship Board Member Paul Baron, CEO of The Wall Printer, won the overall prize this year.🏄

6. Launching a new business class to operate the UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index – A really interesting innovation that was sparked at CIE!📈

7. Helping all entrepreneurs through programs such as the Business Launch Academy and Mentor Madness – With help from partners such as the Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center and CIE Mentors.🚀

8. Showcasing CIE resiliency programs on an international stage – Sharing our successes with other communities at the InBIA conference (12 countries, 35 states) including StartupEQ and Intentional, partnering with The Forte Institute, and more.🌎

9. Showing Wilmington pride at CED Venture Connect – When our tech entrepreneurs lead their pitch with “Hi, I’m from Wilmington”, they are true delegates for our region. They are rock stars.👋

10. Selling out All Blue 201 – Wilmington shows up to learn about how to get involved in the blue economy in Wilmington.🌊

11. Entrepreneurs Winning at the NC TECH Awards Gala (and beyond) – Our entrepreneurs are truly incredible and we had a whole line up of winners that we share in our Member newsletter. However, when OpiAid won overall for the State for the top AI+Data Analytics it made our hearts grow that much bigger.💓

12. Donors giving – We are so, so grateful for the giving of expertise and money to help us accomplish our mission! What stands out this year is our Seahawks Give campaign – everyone coming together to help UNCW student entrepreneurs succeed. We have been utilizing these funds through startups such as Brad and Ryan, two UNCW students who are developing a surfboard resin. (stay tuned for the story!)👨‍🎓👩‍🎓

13. Filling the entrepreneurial pipeline through the YEPex Summit and Youth Challenge – Hundreds of high school students cheered on the finalists in this Shark-Tank like competition. It’s like a pep rally with tacos afterwards.🌮

14. Competing nationally as a CIE-sponsored UNCW and NC A&T intercollegiate team in the Marine Energy Competition Intercollegiate in Washington DC – Students competing to advance blue innovation.🌟

15. 1 Million Cups Wilmington (all 46 of them in 2023) – Every week on Wednesday, an entrepreneur being highlighted and surrounded by supportive community members. This might be Wilmington’s only weekly business event?☕☕☕

4. UNCW Finals at CIE

UNCW Entrepreneurship Professor Jay Shach brought several of his classes to CIE for their finals in Fall semester, pitching startup ideas, leaning into community engagement, and presenting international trade recommendations for the region. The student's ideas were not only captivating but also showcased their innovative recommendations for enhancing the Wilmington region. Each student's presentation was a true testament to their exceptional abilities, highlighting their commendable level of skill and dedication.

5. CIE Incubator Spotlight: Athian

This month we recognize Athian for our Incubator Spotlight! Athian is a company that builds software to aggregate, certify, and fund greenhouse gas reductions throughout the entire livestock value-chain to further enable environmental sustainability for animal agriculture. We are incredibly lucky to have Athian as part of our community here at the CIE. Their ongoing positive impact on the community is inspiring and we are excited to witness the difference they continue to make.

6. 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.

NC IDEA Spring 2024 Grants Information Session: Wilmington

Monday, January 22, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Free

NC IDEA FOUNDATION staff will provide an overview of the upcoming Spring 2024 NC IDEA MICRO ($10K) and NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grants, which provide funding to early-stage, high-growth companies. Join us to gain valuable insight into the NC IDEA MICRO and NC IDEA SEED grant process, network with the NC IDEA team, and meet other founders. Pizza and beverages will be provided starting at 12 PM, with the information session beginning by 12:15 PM.

Intentional -- Plan for a Remarkable Year

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

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 | Free

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.

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.

7. CIE in the News

The WilmingtonBiz 100: The Connectors | WilmingtonBiz

• The Greater Wilmington Business Journal recognizes the top 100 individuals involved in the entrepreneurial community in the Southeastern region of North Carolina. There are several categories consisting of Power Players, Influencers, Innovators, Connectors, and Rising Stars.

• Heather McWhorter, the Director of CIE, has been acknowledged in the connector category for her exceptional contribution in enhancing the achievements of entrepreneurs.

• Photo (left to right) - CIE Director Heather McWhorter, Dean Ron Vetter, Swain Center Director Yolanda Pollard, Dean Jack Watson, Dean Stephanie Caulder, Asst. Dean Sheri N. Shaw, and Dean Robert Burrus. Not in photo but also in Biz100: Chancellor Aswani Volety.

8. Parting Thought

"A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.” 

- Nolan Bushnell