The 17th annual Charlotte Venture Challenge, which highlights innovation-driven ventures and entrepreneurial leaders, will be Tuesday, May 1, at UNC Charlotte Center City.
The challenge’s keynote speaker Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of the NC IDEA FOUNDATION, will share his insight on NC IDEA’s strategic funding direction and the state of North Carolina entrepreneurship.
“Thom Ruhe has been on the leading edge of entrepreneurial support since his time at the Kauffman Foundation; he is sure to challenge our community with new perspectives on building a vibrant entrepreneurial support system,” said Paul Wetenhall, Ventureprise executive director.
Ruhe will lead a panel discussion with three former NC IDEA seed grant winners: Lisa Ganderson, the Wed Clique; Ivan Howitt, InfoSense Inc.; and Rob Cummings, Deal Cloud Inc. Panelists will share their experience in the Charlotte entrepreneurial scene including funding, resources and lessons learned.
The May 1 Charlotte Venture Challenge will introduce a “new, interactive format that focuses on promising innovation emerging from UNC Charlotte research and the Charlotte community,” stated Ventureprise Associate Director Devin Collins.
The challenge will feature three categories, each awarding a top prize during the event. The Student Category will include three UNC Charlotte teams pitching their ventures. These finalists will be selected from a preliminary campus 49er iChallenge.
University researchers and students will be featured in the UNC Charlotte Research Innovation Category, spotlighting teams selected from Ventureprise Launch NSF I-Corps program.
The third category, Community Entrepreneur Innovation, will promote top participants in the Ventureprise Launch NC IDEA customer discovery program.
“This is a fresh, new format for our 17th year, and we look forward to highlighting companies that have concentrated on customer-focused innovation,” Collins said.
Participants will have the opportunity to display and present to corporate innovation customers and investors as well as compete for more than $15,000 in cash awards. The Student Category will feature a pitch competition. Both the UNC Charlotte Research Innovation and Community Entrepreneur Innovation categories will have the top companies selected participating in panel presentations, moderated by Paul Wetenhall and Devin Collins.
A reception will follow where attendees can meet the 15 challenge companies and vote for the People’s Choice Innovator winner.
UNC Charlotte Research and Economic Development and Ventureprise are the organizing sponsors for the Charlotte Venture Challenge.
There is no charge to attend the challenge; RSVPs are required.