Skip to content
News

Unleashing possibilities with the power of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

 

What you'll read:


  1. From Heather's Desk: Celebrating the Builders of Our Region
  2. Celebrating the 2026 CEA Award Winners
  3. Where Visionaries Gather: Innovate & Elevate Recap
  4. Thrive Lab: Meet the Graduates & Apply for the Next Cohort
  5. Meet the CIE Faculty-in-Residence: Dr. Seth Butler
  6. Wilmington Innovation Forum: June Speaker Dr. Alexander McDaniel
  7. Calendar Quick View
  8. Event Highlights
  9. CIE in the News
  10. Staying Connected While We Recharge in July
  11. Parting Thought

1. From Heather’s Desk: Celebrating the Builders of Our Region

Untitled design (6)-1

At UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), we believe that recognizing and celebrating entrepreneurs catalyzes the success of the entrepreneurs, companies, UNCW students and faculty, and our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

Two weeks ago, the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, organized by CIE and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, showcased the top early-stage visionaries, entrepreneurial non-profits, and scaling companies. The energy at the sold-out event at UNCW Burney Center reflected a region that is boldly building its future.

 

Last week, CIE graduated the first Thrive cohort, created with funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation, marking an important milestone for founders who have committed to accelerating their growth of their established companies. These entrepreneurs represent the next wave of companies that will define our region’s economic and innovation landscape.

 

As we continue to build this culture of recognition and visibility, we encourage you to help shine a broader spotlight on our community by nominating companies for the NC TECH Awards by June 30. Each year, these statewide awards highlight North Carolina’s most innovative companies and leaders. Wilmington has shown it can compete with the best, earning top spots across multiple categories.

 

Now is the time to ensure even more of our entrepreneurs are seen, celebrated, and connected to opportunity. If you know a company, founder, or team doing exceptional work, take a few minutes to put their name forward with this or other awards programs when they arise, because recognition matters. It opens doors, builds confidence, and reinforces something we already know: this region is full of entrepreneurs worth celebrating.

 

Yours in innovation,

Heather McWhorter

Director, UNCW CIE

2. Celebrating the 2026 CEA Award Winners 

1779799198321

On May 21, CIE and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal hosted the 2026 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, an evening filled with energy, community spirit, and recognition of the remarkable innovators shaping our region’s future. Surrounded by founders, partners, mentors, and supporters from across the region, we honored 11 outstanding organizations whose work reflects the creativity, resilience, and momentum of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 
During the event, the CIE Mentor team of the year, Nuream, was announced. The CIE Mentor Team consisting of Mary Beth Bobeck, Nannette Stangle-Castor, Jay Kleinman, Keith Markfield, Hoop Morgan, Jim Roberts and Lee White. Read the UNCW press release including announcement here.
 

2026 CEA Category Winners

 3. Where Visionaries Gather: Innovate & Elevate Recap

Processed with VSCO with G6 Preset-1

In May, UNCW faculty and researchers joined a two‑day innovation workshop at CIE, coming together for hands‑on learning, collaboration, and practical tools to strengthen creative and entrepreneurial thinking. Activities included:

  • Case studies and guided discussions to explore innovative approaches
  • Creativity exercises that helped participants stretch their thinking
  • Customer discovery practices to understand how meaningful solutions take shape

The workshop also introduced key steps for turning ideas into impact:

  • Commercialization pathways and how to bring concepts to market
  • Developing minimum viable products
  • Crafting effective elevator pitches

Those who completed both days earned a UNCW Digital Badge recognizing their commitment to creative and entrepreneurial growth.

 

CIE is proud to support the thinkers and builders shaping research and innovation at UNCW. Thank you to NC Innovation, UNCW College of Science and Engineering, and NC IDEA for sponsoring Innovate & Elevate.

 

4. Thrive: Meet the Graduates & Apply for the Next Cohort

Processed with VSCO with G6 Preset

The Thrive community celebrated the graduation of our inaugural cohort, a dynamic group of leaders who brought curiosity, courage, and collaboration to every session. Kiernan Kovac, Jessica Kovar, Sara Cooper, Cameron Calhoun, Chip Phillips, Judy Cossette, James Jacobs, Jonathan King, Carrie Morris, Anna Barrett, Ellen Contente, Keri Marshall, Aaron Lee, and Dawn McDowell demonstrated the kind of commitment and growth mindset that define the Thrive experience.

 

🌱Applications Now Open for the Next Thrive Cohort

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in the growth of your established company, this is it. CIE is accepting applications for the next Thrive, which will launch in September. The program blends structured learning with real‑world application, mentoring, and community support.

5. Meet the CIE Faculty-in-Residence: Dr. Seth Butler

New Team Members

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Seth Butler as the CIE Faculty‑in‑Residence for UNCW Student Entrepreneurship Strategy. In his summer appointment, Dr. Butler will be developing strategic recommendations to strengthen how UNCW supports student entrepreneurs at the university level. Dr. Butler’s background in organizational communication, leadership development, and student mentorship positions him perfectly. Dr. Butler is an instructor in UNCW's Department of Management in the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Concentration.

6. Wilmington Innovation Forum: June Speaker Dr. Alexander McDaniel

JUNE WIF Speaker Post

Join us on June 4th for our upcoming Wilmington Innovation Forum featuring Dr. Alexander McDaniel, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at UNCW.

 

The Neck Strength Assessment Tool (NSAT) is an award‑winning, patented, portable device and software system designed to provide data‑driven measurements of neuromuscular performance to help prevent traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and whiplash. In this session, Dr. McDaniel will share the journey behind the NSAT. From identifying the problem to securing a patent and navigating the early stages of commercialization. Attendees will learn how the team approached the patent process, what it takes to move from patent to market, and how funding from NC Innovation and NC Biotechnology Translational Research Grants has supported the project’s development. This session offers valuable insight for anyone interested in translating research into real‑world impact.

 

When: Thursday, June 4, noon–1 p.m.

Where: UNCW CIE

Sponsored by: NC Innovation and UNCW Research and Innovation

Registration: Free for UNCW & CIE members, tenants, mentors, and coworkers $5 for non‑CIE member. Lunch is provided.

7. Calendar Quick View

June 1-4 | Elevate CEO - Cape Fear Ventures
June 2-9 | SBTDC Taking the Leap @ CIE
June 4 noon-1 p.m. | Wilmington Innovation Forum

June 4 | Grep-A-Palooza, Durham

June 9 | All Blue meeting*
June 9 | Idea Test Lab Alumni Founders Roundtable*

June 11-12 | DigSouth Tech Summit in Charleston, SC

June 16 | CIE Mentor Meeting*
June 19 | Founders’ Roundtable*

July 9 | Wilmington Innovation Forum

July 17 | Founders’ Roundtable*

July 20 noon-1:30 | NC IDEA Grant Info Session @ CIE

Aug 6 | Wilmington Innovation Forum
Aug 11 | Idea Test Lab Alumni Founders Roundtable*
Aug 18 | CIE Mentor Meeting*

Aug 21 | Founders’ Roundtable*

Aug 24-28 | UNCW Student Entrepreneurship Scavenger Hunt
Aug 26 | Idea Test Lab Founders’ Roundtable*

Sept 1 | All Blue Meeting*

Sept 2 | Welcome Wednesday

Sept 3 | Wilmington Innovation Forum

Sept 4 | Thrive applications DUE

 

1 Million Cups Wilmington every Wednesday 9-10 a.m.
*By invitation. Ask CIE for additional information.

 

8. Upcoming Event Highlights 

Ocean Innovation Conference 2026

The Ocean Innovation Conference returns this fall, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, students, industry leaders, and ocean advocates to explore how purposeful innovation can strengthen our oceans and coastal communities. This full‑day event features a keynote speaker, expert panels, lightning talks, an interactive activity, and the Innovation Fair showcasing startups, nonprofits, and research groups.

Addional information and Registration is Here

 

UNCW Student Entrepreneurship Scavenger Hunt

Kick off the semester with a campus‑wide Scavenger Hunt designed to help UNCW students explore resources to learn about entrepreneurship from August 24-28. Pick up a card at the CIE tables at the Involvement Carnival. Collect stickers from each location on the map and complete your card for a chance to win prizes!

 

Faculty who would like to assign the Scavenger Hunt as a class activity are encouraged to contact CIE at cie@uncw.edu.

Where: Across campus, Ending at CIE

Who: UNCW Students

Webpage with additional information coming soon!
 

 10. Staying Connected While We Recharge in July 

Summer is in full swing, and the CIE team is taking a short break from the newsletter in July so we can finish our Annual Report. While we pause our monthly updates, we’re still here, still active, and still supporting our incredible community of innovators, founders, and partners.

To stay connected with everything happening at CIE, from upcoming events to member highlights and behind‑the‑scenes moments, make sure you’re following us on social media. We’ll continue sharing updates, opportunities, and stories throughout the month.

 

Follow us on your favorite platforms:

We’ll be back in August with more news, events, and stories from Wilmington’s innovation ecosystem. Until then, enjoy the sunshine, stay inspired, and keep building what’s next.


 11. Parting Thought 

 “Thrive was eye opening and allowed me to really accept where my weaknesses are and how I can make changes...I love that it caused me to really evaluate myself and how I think and move as a founder.” - Thrive Participant | Anonymous Written Evaluation Feedback | May 2026