June CIE Connection

Empowering bold ideas, courageous individuals, and our community through innovation and entrepreneurship.

1. A Note from Heather: Membership Matters

2. Welcome, Brad Billups!

3. SBIR/STTR to Launch an R&D Focused Business

4. CIE Mentor Program Highlight: LeadCreator

5. Got Space? CIE Retreat is Available

6. UNCW's Helping Hands

7. Upcoming Events

8. Calendar Quick View

9. Parting Thought

Dear CIE Community,

As we embark on an exciting 2025 at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), we’re reminded that our success is built on the strength of our incredible community. Whether you're an entrepreneur launching your first business, an innovator shaping the future, or a seasoned professional eager to share your knowledge with the next generation, membership at CIE is your gateway to resources, connections, and opportunities that truly matter. Together, we create an ecosystem where ideas flourish, businesses grow, and innovation thrives.

Becoming a 2025 CIE Stakeholder or Member means more than access to workshops, events, and space—it’s about being part of a collaborative movement driving economic impact and creativity in Southeastern North Carolina. Here's the link to learn more about becoming a CIE Stakeholder or CIE Member: https://uncw.edu/research/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/membership/.

Your membership is an investment in the region’s future and your own entrepreneurial journey. Join us as we expand programming and create new opportunities for engagement and growth. Let’s build stronger businesses, foster deeper connections, and make this the most impactful year yet!

With gratitude,

Heather McWhorter

Director, UNCW CIE

Brad Billups is excited to join CIE as the Operations Manager!

The Winfield, W.V. native, earned his B.A. in Recreation, Sports Leadership, and Tourism Management from UNCW in 2019. Brad was honored as the College of Health and Human Services’ Outstanding Graduate for 2019. He has since earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Foundations from the Cameron School of Business at UNCW and is on track to earn his M.B.A. this coming summer.

Prior to receiving his B.A., Brad formerly served as Facilities & Operations Assistant with University of Cincinnati Athletics. While in Ohio, he was also involved with the Major League Soccer organization F.C. Cincinnati, where he headed the Gameday Operations Command Center during their stay in Nippert Stadium.

Brad returned to his alma mater in 2019 as the Assistant Director of Grounds & Sports Turf. In 2022, Brad transitioned to Athletics Facilities & Event Management as Coordinator and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director of Facilities & Event Management.

In 2023, Brad was again promoted to Assistant Director of Athletic Administration, where he served as tournament director for large-scale athletic competition events and oversaw various administrative aspects of the department.

After reading the biography Steve Jobs, Brad has developed a fascination with innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. He is looking forward to being amongst Wilmington’s inspiring start-up community.

Brad resides in Leland, N.C. In his free time, Brad enjoys playing pickleball and is an avid motorsports fan. Follow his LinkedIn here.

LeadCreator (www.leadcreator.net) is an innovative online platform that connects businesses with sales freelancers to handle outreach and schedule meetings with new clients. Our program is failure-proof because our freelancers are incentivized by results, not merely attempts.

We address the growing demand for high-quality B2B leads and the increasing trend of outsourcing sales tasks. The B2B lead generation market is projected to reach $60.49 billion by 2031, and we focus on leveraging the 4.7 million sales and marketing freelancers in the U.S.

We are currently offering free white glove campaign management to a limited number of companies this month. If you’re interested in discussing creating a campaign, please feel free to contact us below or sign up today on our website:

Website: www.leadcreator.net
Email: ddonley@leadcreator.net

LeadCreator is one of many startups working with the CIE Mentor program. To learn about the CIE Mentors, visit this website.

We are excited to announce that CIE has expanded! Just a few doors down from the main CIE office is our new team retreat space so you can advance your next innovative idea!

The Retreat, which is located at Suite 803B, is a private suite complete with a large entry and conference room, two small offices, whiteboards, presentation screen, and a kitchenette. It is an ideal setting for staff retreats, team meetings, or community programs. It can accommodate 20-25 people.

The Retreat can be rented by community organizations, businesses, and UNCW departments at the same rates and structure as our Event Space. For more information, please visit our website.

The Helping Hand Project finds its home at UNCW, utilizing the MakerStudio's 3D printing technology located within the library. With the technology available, students, such as Jordan McLeod (pictured above) have been creating prosthetic fingers--which are normally expensive to make--in a cost-effective manner. Because of this, they have been able to provide for even students needing such prosthetics. Using just plastic and things like fishing line for a pulley system, they are able to engineer this technology and even customize it to each person.

“Last year, we actually completed a case for a UNCW student who came to us and just said, ‘Hi, I don't know if you all can do this per se, but I'd like to figure out how I can make a prosthetic to help me play violin better,’” said Jordan.

Jordan McLeod, a senior public health major with a preclinical concentration and biology minor, has found a community here at UNCW and loves its commitment to his science education.

Apply Now! Idea Test Lab💡

Idea Test Lab is a cohort-based, 4-week program designed to create an inclusive pipeline of high-growth entrepreneurs and startups in Southeastern North Carolina and to build resilience in founders. These two cohorts in early 2025 will include a Women in Tech/Female Founders cohort, as well as a Bluetech/Climate-tech focused cohort. Women in Tech/Female Founder applications are due February 28, 2025, and BlueTech/ClimateTech applications are due April 25, 2025.

Qualifications

Early-stage (ideation stage) company
High impact technology
Relevant to cohort technology sector
Able to attend the 4 sessions and the Pitch Day

Time Commitment

Four weeks - One 3-hour session per week for four weeks, followed by a Demo Day (will be held at the of the fourth week).

Women in Tech & Female Founders - Cohort runs March through April 2025

Bluetech & ClimateTech - Cohort runs May through June 2025

Five Year Anniversary of 1 Million Cups

Wednesday, February 12 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us on February 12th, 2025 to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of 1 Million Cups at UNCW CIE! This milestone event will bring together entrepreneurs, innovators, and community members for an exciting day of networking, collaboration, and inspiration. Over the past five years, 1 Million Cups has served as a platform for local startups to share their ideas, receive feedback, and grow their businesses. Don't miss out on this special anniversary event, where we'll look back on the incredible journey, highlight success stories, and continue building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

SBTDC's Investor-Ready Entrepreneurship Program

Are you an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur?

Wednesday, March 4 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

When it comes to working with investors, new entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage: They often have misconceptions about the process, do not understand the concept of stage-appropriate capital, and do not understand investor expectations.

The Investor-Ready Entrepreneur program levels the playing field, educating and preparing growth-oriented entrepreneurs to successfully engage private equity investors.

The program, developed by experienced entrepreneurs, angel investors, angel network/fund executives, and venture capitalists, provides an “insider’s look” into the world of equity funding. You will hear directly from an investor panel and learn to view investors as “customers of equity.”

EcoInnovate Weekend

Friday-Sunday, March 28-30

CIE's EcoInnovate Weekend is our second installment of Startup Weekend, a high-energy, weekend-long event that provides attendees opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals and potentially start something GREAT. It's a dynamic and immersive experience that fosters creativity, teamwork, and innovation in a short timeframe.

You're invited to hear from workshop speakers such as Leigh Rubin, a Cartoonist-in-Residence! Additional speakers and schedule coming soon. Students can register for free using the code "student" and CIE members, please contact Lydia Thomas at bjorklundl@uncw.edu for your code.

8. Calendar Quick View

Now–applications being accepted | CIE Idea Test Lab (Women in Tech and Blue Tech/Climate Tech cohorts) - https://uncw.edu/research/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/events-programs/programs/idea

Now–applications accepted until early February | Genesis Block Academy is accepting applications for Jump Start Academy! For minority & women-owned businesses generating revenue - https://genesisblockilm.com/, Article: https://www.wwaytv3.com/genesis-blocks-jumpstart-academy-is-accepting-applications/

1 Million Cups Wilmington every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at CIE

Feb 4 | Alliance for the Blue Economy Meeting

Feb 5 | Welcome Wednesday

Feb 6 | GrepBeat “Rising Stars” Celebration, Durham - https://grepbeat.com/rising-stars/

Feb 11-13 | 2025 America's Seed Fund Week - Virtual Road Tour - https://www.americasseedfund.us/america-s-seed-fund-week

Feb 12 | 5 Year Celebration for 1MC Wilmington

Feb 13 | NEW Deeeep Dive @ CIE

Feb 17 | Scott Moody Monday Office Hours

Feb 18 9:30-11:30 AM | SBIR/STTR Funding | SBTDC and First Flight Venture Center program at CIE | Register: https://sbtdc.org/events/sbir-sttr-funding-wilmington

Feb 18 | Franchising 101 (virtual 11:30am – 1pm) Franchising 101 - NC SBTDC

Feb 18 | CIE Mentor Meeting

Feb 26 | Genesis Block Conversations to Contracts @ CFCC Union Station

Feb 27 | Power Breakfast – AI in Wilmington - https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/eventDetails?eventID=229

Mar 3 | Scott Moody Monday Office Hours

Mar 4 | SBTDC Investor Ready Entrepreneur @CIE - https://sbtdc.org/events/investor-ready-entrepreneur-wilmington-2025

Mar 5 | NC TECH STIR Briefing @CIE - https://www.nctech.org/events/event/2025/stir-briefing.html

Mar 11 | Alliance for the Blue Economy Meeting

Mar 17 | Scott Moody Monday Office Hours

Mar 18 | CIE Mentor Meeting

Mar 25-27 | CED Venture Connect, Raleigh - https://cednc.org/venture-connect/

Mar 27 1 p.m. | Think Like a Cartoonist Workshop

Mar 28-30 | EcoInnovate Weekend for Startups @ CIE - https://uncw.edu/research/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/events-programs/programs/startup-weekend

Mar 30 | Ocean Innovation Conference Early Registration Opens

Apr 1 | Alliance for the Blue Economy Meeting

Apr 2 | Welcome Wednesday

Apr 9 | Idea Test Lab, Women in Tech Demo Day

Apr 15 | CIE Mentor Meeting

Apr 15-17 | Summit for Climate Innovation and Impact, Atlanta

1. A Note from Heather: Membership Matters

2. Welcome Brad Billups!

3. SBIR/STTR to Launch an R&D Focused Business

4. CIE Mentor Program Highlight: LeadCreator

5. Got Space? CIE Retreat is Available!

8. Calendar Quick View

9. Parting Thought