Unleashing possibilities with the power of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

What you'll read:

1. From Heather’s Desk: The Power of Connections
2. EcoInnovate Sprint Scheduled for April: Develop Sustainable Solutions
3. CIE at UNCW Homecoming: Showcasing Innovation in the Blue Economy
4. Entrepreneur Spotlight: Carson Jackson’s Journey of Showing Up
5. Wilmington Innovation Forum: March Speaker Dr. Lance Cummings Leads the Conversation
6. Calendar Quick View
7. Event Highlights
8. CIE in the News
9. Parting Thought

1. From Heather's Desk

This month, I’ve been reflecting on the power of connections. At a regional level, innovation ecosystems can very simply defined as connections between people. At the individual level, connections are truly important for us as humans, but also for shaping our paths and ideas.

In 1993, after I graduated from college, I showed up to my research job at the university to find a yellow Post-It note on my green metal desk that simply said "Call Bart Whitman - he's hiring Chemical Engineers." Bart hired me (on the spot, in a diner) and I worked for him for 8 years. Since leaving his company, we’ve stayed in contact. I was delighted when he recently reached out to share that he was moving to our region, after selling his business, and am even more thrilled that he is now serving as a CIE Mentor, sharing his deep entrepreneurial and M&A expertise. More than 30 years later, a professional connection has come full circle in a most meaningful way, and I'm so happy that I get to see him at our monthly CIE Mentor meetings.

That’s the power of connection.

In our new UNCW Honors class, Caffeinated Connections, students are stepping into the entrepreneurial ecosystem through 1 Million Cups, hearing from entrepreneurs each week. In this course that I teach, we recently started the second module, which focuses on the importance of Networking and Networks. I reminded them that networking is not as a transaction, but is a way to learn and to approach it with curiosity.

At CIE, connection is what we do. We serve as a bridge between campus and community, founders and funders, ideas and opportunity. I invite you to engage with our programs, attend an event, mentor an entrepreneur, or simply stop by on Wednesday at 9-10 a.m. for 1 Million Cups Wilmington and a fresh cup of coffee - to network.

Look forward to connecting with you soon,

Heather McWhorter, UNCW CIE Director

2. EcoInnovate Sprint Scheduled for April: Develop Sustainable Solutions

3. CIE at UNCW Homecoming: Showcasing Innovation in the Blue Economy

Pictured from left to right: UNCW Student Jack Holland, UNCW Faculty Miran Hossain, UNCW CIE Director Heather McWhorter, and UNCW Alum and Local Catch Founder Landon Hill

At this year’s UNCW Homecoming, CIE showcased the university’s expanding leadership in the Blue Economy, including the UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index, EcoInnovate Sprint, and the Ocean Innovation Conference that highlight how innovation, entrepreneurship, and coastal resilience intersect across our region.

Homecoming also offered an opportunity to celebrate the success of Seahawk entrepreneurs like Landon Hill, founder of Local Catch, who launched his business from a UNCW class project and has since grown it into a thriving coastal enterprise.

4. Entrepreneur Spotlight: Carson Jackson’s Journey of Showing Up

CIE’s student interns recently sat down with one of our founders to kick off a brand-new, ongoing section of our newsletter: Entrepreneur Spotlight. This month, we're highlighting Carson Jackson, founder of Ouro Labs and a UNCW graduate student, whose entrepreneurial journey shows how much momentum can come from simply showing up, asking questions, and embracing the unknown.

When Carson first stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, he believed he needed a fully polished plan before taking action. Over time, he discovered that early stage building is less about perfection and more about understanding the problem you are trying to solve.

In 2025, Carson and cofounder Shishir Desai created Ouro Labs to develop a tool to help laboratories and researchers track their chemical and biological inventory. Their missions is "to provide operational intelligence that makes regulated research safer, more efficient, and more confident. We believe every chemical and biological material deserves complete lifecycle visibility — from purchase through disposal and beyond." In October 2025, Ouro Labs was selected to go through CIE's Idea Test Lab, where they refined their business model, built a pitch deck, and explored their customer discovery, and left with the second place prize of $3,000!

Before founding Ourolabs, Carson helped build two additional UNCW spinouts from Dr. Ying Wang's biochemistry lab (the Wang Lab):

• DuraVax - Based around mRNA formulation technology for vaccines that need to travel to rural America and tropical countries that don't have the infrastructure for cold storage.
• Macroformulation LLC. - Developing an AI tool for designing high concentration formulations of antibodies.

Carson also serves as the Brand Manager of The Wang Lab, overseeing brand strategy, digital presence, and marketing coordination.

When asked about advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Carson stated he wishes he had started talking to people much earlier. Waiting to feel fully prepared, he realized, only slows down the learning process and clarity came from the conversations themselves. As Carson puts it, “growth comes more from the interaction than from polishing ideas in isolation.”

5. Wilmington Innovation Forum: March Speaker Dr. Lance Cummings Leads the Conversation

for an upcoming Wilmington Innovation Forum workshop featuring Dr. Lance Cummings, UNCW Professor of English in the Professional Writing program.

Making Smarter Systems: Content Strategy for an AI World

In today’s AI-driven landscape, the way your content is structured matters more than ever. This session will explore why AI struggles with poorly organized information and the simple structural changes that make content more accessible to both humans and machines. Learn how stronger systems can improve search results, reduce confusion, and save time.

• When: March 5, 12–1 p.m.
• Where: UNCW CIE Event Space or attend virtually
• Registration: Includes lunch
  • $5 for non‑CIE members
  • Free for UNCW & CIE members

6. Calendar Quick View

7. Upcoming Event Highlights

EcoInnovate Sprint

Tuesday April 7 - Thursday April 9 | 5 - 8 p.m.

EcoInnovate is a three-night startup sprint designed to spark sustainability-focused ideas and ventures. This immersive experience brings together students, founders for pitching, team formation, mentorship, and a final judged pitch. Participants collaborate to develop impactful solutions in sustainability and climate tech, with awards available.

Where: UNCW CIE

Cost: $35, Registration required.

Free for Students (use code "Student")

Free for CIE Members and Tenants (contact CIE for code)

Register for EcoInnovate Sprint Here

Coastal Entrepreneur Awards

Thursday May 21 | 6- 9 p.m.

Join us for the annual Coastal Entrepreneur Awards at the UNCW Burney Center. This signature event celebrates both emerging startups and established companies that are driving innovation across the Cape Fear region. Presented by CIE and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, the awards recognize standout ventures from New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties, culminating in the announcement of the Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year.
Registration available soon here: Coastal Entrepreneurship Award Details

9. Parting Thought

“Entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to learn in the open.”- Carson Jackson, Cofounder of Ouro Labs