Discover how we can empower you and nurture the next generation of innovators.
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1. Tenant Spotlight: Electronic Lab Logs
LabLogs is an easy to use Software Platform that tracks maintenance tasks and QC for all your lab instruments so that you can always be ready for audits and inspections. These systems help you save time, eliminate Paper Logs, lessen risk, and create custom reports. Their maintenance solutions are designed for the lab unlike other generic programs, LabLogs:
- Tracks Maintenance Tasks for Every Instrument and Every Manufacturer
- Validates Qualitative and Quantitative QC Results
- Tracks Lots and Reagents linked to Tasks
Check out the video below to learn more about the incredible work at LabLogs! Make sure to visit their website to request a demo today!
GEW Wilmington is a celebration of entrepreneurship in the greater Wilmington region. Ecosystem partners are banding together to hold events for entrepreneurs and the community between November 13-19. From Mentor Madness to Network for Entrepreneur in Wilmington (NEW)'s RISE ABOVE THE REST Venture Capital event to holiday shopping in Wilmington or Leland, there's something for everyone. Check out the lineup here and register today!
3. Women Entrepreneurs Celebrated
During Women's Entrepreneurship Week in November, we asked women founders about their journey as entrepreneurs. This is what we heard:
“I'm passionate about entrepreneurship, because I'm passionate about making our world a better place.
Business success shouldn't be measured on who gets the highest valuation for investors, but who is able to create long-term, equitable value for customers, employees, and the larger community. That kind of meaningful, life-improving success can only come from an unrelenting commitment to understanding and empathizing with others.”
- Dory Weiss, CIE coworker and Entrepreneur
"My story did not begin in the tech or hardware world, so this journey has been one that requires grit and determination. Since leaving the entertainment industry, I've embraced challenges, forged innovation, and created a product that will fight food waste with visionary solutions. And to be honest, those are words I never imagined would be put into a sentence next to my name.
My path to our company has been far from a straight line, but I am thankful for a community that builds up new founders and gives us the resources to accomplish big dreams. I believe that my journey from television host to CEO is a testament to the strength and vision women bring from their life experiences that can shape future industries.
I celebrate all of the women entrepreneurs who have come before me, sit beside me, and light the path for future aspiring leaders."
- Rachelle McCray, CEO, Co-Founder, and Co-Inventor of Wisely Inc., a woman majority-owned company that creates Smart Food Storage Container Systems to help reduce food waste
To see more, visit our Instagram.
4. CIE Mentor Success: OpiAID
OpiAID is a data science company creating innovative solutions for addiction treatment. Founded by David Reeser in 2018, their goal is to make addiction treatment safer and more effective. They offer decision support technology to clinicians with the goal of improving patient retention in Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) leading to better clinical outcomes, additional revenue for clinics and reduced cost to payers when treating patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).
"The heart of OpiAID is a love for our Neighbors in recovery. We want to make sure more of our Neighbors make it home at night and we believe technology is a vehicle to achieve that outcome."
Previously, David had worked with the CIE Mentor Program. This program allows entrepreneurs with startups to work through concept, development, and launch with an experienced mentor. If you are interested in getting a mentor or becoming a CIE mentor, use this link: CIE Mentor Program
Watch the video below to learn more about the amazing work at OpiAID!
5. Upcoming Events - Register Today!
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Welcome Wednesday
Wednesday, November 1st | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entrepreneurs, UNCW faculty, staff, students, and anyone interested in learning more about CIE, are welcome to stop by CIE. The CIE staff will be available all day to provide tours of our facility, to answer questions about CIE or UNCW, and to connect you to programs and ecosystem partners.
Coworking is free all day and registration is not required.
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.
Global Entrepreneurship Week Wilmington
November 13-19
GEW Wilmington is a celebration of entrepreneurship in the greater Wilmington region. It highlights some of the best of Wilmington's entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystem. GEW Wilmington is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, a worldwide celebration of entrepreneurs that 200+ countries and 10 million participate in each year.
Sponsored by: NC IDEA
Some of the upcoming events include:
- 11/13: Getting a Website Started for Your Small Business (online)
- 11/15: Conversion Rate Optimization: Turn Visitors into Customers for Your Small Biz (online)
- 11/16: Revolution Capital: Are Wilmington Startups Ready to RISE ABOVE THE REST? (IronClad Brewery)
Learn more about all the events happening during GEW here: GEW Website
Mentor Madness
November 16 8AM-11AM
A face-paced, caffeinated speedmentoring program to connect startup and scaleup entrepreneurs with expert advisors. Entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to meet with 3-4 Mentors, and CIE Mentors will have an opportunity to meet with 3-4 entrepreneurs.
- Entrepreneur Application (Due Thursday, November 9, 2023)
- Mentor Application (Due Thursday, November 9, 2023)
Sponsored by: NC IDEA
Hustle N Harvest
Are you an entrepreneur looking for a guide to grow your company? Look no further, Hustle N Harvest is a free online training program that provides a "Lean Business Canvas" outline designed to help you gain knowledge from experts in the local area and develop your business.
Propel
Propel offers participants in the shellfish mariculture industry a business incubator curriculum and process to assist growers through the stages of business launch and growth. This fully online business training series presents new growers with concepts and challenges of business ownership unique to shellfish growers. This program also provides resources that can be used after the course has been completed.
Contact cie@uncw.edu for more information.
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.
6. CIE in the News
AI For Small Business
The Small Business and Technology Development Center and UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship presented a four-part series on how AI can help small businesses!
Entrepreneurs gathered at the CIE to learn more about how AI can be used for marketing, training, and spreadsheets. Read more about the workshops here:
AI series for small businesses aims to educate on new technology | WilmingtonBiz
Heather McWhorter Makes the Wilmington 100 List!
CIE Director, Heather McWhorter, was recognized on the Wilmington 100 List under the "Connectors" Category, “the real-world networkers who bring together people and resources to get things done”.
Read more about the other Seahawks that made the list here:
UNCW ramps up program to nurture coast’s blue economy
In this article by CoastalReview.org, Heather McWhorter details the CIE's place in the blue economy, explains the benefits of blue economy hubs, and highlights the impacts that local entrepreneurs have on our community!
Check out the article here: