May CIE Connection

In mid-April, Chancellor Volety shared an exciting and timely vision: strengthening health care and education across our region through a medical education program. The university has requested authorization from the UNC System Board of Governors to begin early planning in response to growing physician shortages, with a vote expected on May 20. (Learn more: Carolina Public Press, Greater Wilmington Business Journal)

If approved, the effort will focus on education, while also creating future opportunities for collaboration. At CIE, we’re thoughtfully exploring how innovation and entrepreneurial thinking could support students and partners as this vision takes shape.

CIE is anchored in preparing people and communities for what’s next—whether that’s scaling impactful ideas, advancing the blue economy, or cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among youth and UNCW students. This work aligns closely with UNCW’s mission and our region’s long-term growth. We’re proud to help individuals become future-ready and to strengthen our community through education, innovation, and partnerships. Thank you for being part of the CIE community.

Yours in innovation,
Heather McWhorter
Director, UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)

The Coastal Entrepreneur Awards celebrate innovation, growth, and leadership among businesses across southeastern North Carolina. Organized by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal in partnership with CIE, the awards recognize outstanding companies and nonprofits across a range of industries, including biotechnology, technology, retail, and more.

Each year, winners are selected across multiple categories, with one organization ultimately named Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year for their exceptional impact and potential. Winners will be featured in a special issue of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

2026 Category Winners

• Biotechnology: Nautigen
• Emerging Company: Skillmaker.AI
• Health Care: CareHome Health Solutions
• Internet-Related Business: DesignLoud
• Manufacturing & Distribution: Koolbridge Energy
• Minority/Woman-Owned Business: Unwind Collection
• Nonprofit: Carolina Beach Mural Project
• Nonprofit: The Healing Place
• Professional Services: Earney IT
• Retail & Hospitality: Biggers Market
• Technology: True Guardian

These winners will be honored at the 2026 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, and the overall Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced. Join us in celebrating the achievements of this year’s winners and the continued growth of our regional business community.

When: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6–9 p.m.
Where: UNCW Burney Center

What is an Innovation Sprint?

CIE’s Innovation Sprints are designed to make innovation more accessible, structured, and action-oriented. These fast-paced experiences bring together students, professionals, and community members to move from idea to tested concept in a short period of time through collaboration and real-world problem-solving.

EcoInnovate Sprint Highlights

CIE recently hosted the EcoInnovate Sprint, bringing together students, professionals, and community members to address sustainability challenges impacting our region. Teams explored topics such as water systems, waste solutions, energy, and environmental innovation, developing thoughtful and actionable concepts in a short timeframe.

Congratulations to all winning teams and to every participant who contributed their time and perspective! Read more about winning teams here.

CIE extends its appreciation to speakers Rob Zapple and Sara Dousharm, judges Sonya Peele and Jamie Stalfort, and partners and sponsors, the City of Wilmington and NC IDEA, for their support in making this event possible.

This month, CIE is spotlighting Chomp Gums, co‑founded by Dr. Keri Marshall and Kelly Barnes. Chomp Gum is a functional chewing gum that provides a healthier option for gum, that is sugar-free, Sucralose-free, and Aspartame-free, and provides nutrients to your body while you chew.

Dr. Marshall brings more than two decades of experience as a physician, epidemiologist, and healthcare executive. After leading medical practices and holding senior roles across healthcare and research, transitioning into consumer entrepreneurship required developing an entirely new skill set. Building Chomp Gums introduced challenges related to finance, legal structure, investment planning, and long‑term growth—areas not traditionally emphasized in scientific training.

Through CIE programs such as Idea Test Lab and Thrive, Dr. Marshall strengthened her business foundation and gained practical insight into executive decision‑making and company operations. A key milestone followed with 1 Million Cups, where Chomp Gums was introduced to Wilmington’s entrepreneurial community, generating early feedback, validation, and deeper engagement within the local startup ecosystem.

Chomp Gums has grown through a deliberate, bootstrapped approach, prioritizing customer feedback, sampling, and retailer reorder data to validate demand before scaling. Like many early‑stage ventures, the journey has required resilience, adaptability, and a long‑term mindset, especially amid rising costs and shifting economic conditions.

Join us on May 7 for an upcoming Wilmington Innovation Forum featuring Dr. Jennifer McCall, UNCW Associate Professor in the Clinical Research Program at the School of Nursing and cofounder of SeaTox Research.

The High‑Tech Roadmap: Winning SBIRs and Scaling Faculty Spinouts

Moving scientific discovery from the lab to the marketplace requires strategy, funding, and focus. In this session, Dr. McCall will share her experience navigating the transition from academic research to a venture‑backed startup. Attendees will learn practical approaches to securing federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding, understand why technical de‑risking is essential, and explore ways to manage the challenges of commercialization while staying grounded in the science. This session offers valuable insight for those interested in translating research into impact.

When: Thursday, May 7, 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 members
Lunch is provided.

May 7 | noon-1 p.m. | Wilmington Innovation Forum - Dr. Jennifer McCall - Register Now!

May 11 | Thrive Lab | Session 3 – Think Like a CPO @ Vantaca*

May 12-13 | noon-4:30 | Innovate & Elevate (UNCW Graduate students, researchers, and faculty only)

May 15 | TedX Airlie

May 18-19 | SEED the SOUTH Capital Summit, Charlotte

May 19 | Building a Resilient Coastal Workforce: Bridging Gaps, Creating Pathways by myFutureNC, Burney Center

May 19 | CIE Mentor Meeting*

May 21 | Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, Burney Center

May 28 | 11 am-1 pm | Soar into Summer for UNCW staff | Chancellor's Quad (Stop by and visit our table!)

May 28 | Thrive Lab Graduation*

May 29 | Founders’ Roundtable*

June 1-4 | Elevate CEO by 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, Charleston

June 16 | CIE Mentor Meeting*

June 19 | Founders’ Roundtable*

July 2 | noon-1 pm. | Wilmington Innovation Forum

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

Innovate & Elevate

Tuesday, May 12 – Wednesday, May 13 | Noon – 4:30 p.m.

Innovate & Elevate is a two‑day workshop designed to help UNCW faculty, researchers, and graduate students strengthen creative thinking, explore commercialization opportunities, and build entrepreneurial skills in a collaborative setting.

Day 1: Foundations of the Entrepreneurial Mindset & Creativity

What an entrepreneurial mindset is and why it matters
Customer discovery basics and understanding the importance of the “customer.”
Hands‑on activities, case studies, and group discussions
Faculty Entrepreneur Panel

Day 2: Commercialization and Bringing Ideas to Market

Overview of commercialization pathways
Understanding MVPs (minimum viable products) and their role in innovation
Crafting a compelling elevator pitch
Additional hands‑on activities, case studies, and discussions

Both days begin with lunch and conclude with guided reflection sessions.

Where: CIE Event Space

Cost: Free; registration required

Sponsors: UNCW College of Science and Engineering, NC IDEA, NC Innovation

1. From Heather’s Desk: Medical School Possibilities

2. Spotlighting Success: Coastal Entrepreneur Awards 2026

3. Inside Innovation Sprints: The EcoInnovate Experience

4. Entrepreneur Spotlight: Keri Marshall and Kelly Barnes Chewing on Change at Chomp Gum

5. Wilmington Innovation Forum: May Speaker Dr. Jennifer McCall

6. Calendar Quick View

7. Upcoming Event Highlights

Innovate & Elevate

8. CIE in the News

9. Parting Thought