Events for March 25, 2026

Start your second day at VC26 with registration and a light continental breakfast. Grab a coffee, reconnect with fellow attendees, and get ready for another day of impactful conversations and game-changing connections. Doors open early—let’s dive back in!

Looking to accelerate your business growth? Bookable meeting spaces are available for one-on-one conversations with investors, partners, and key ecosystem resources. Whether you’re seeking capital, strategic guidance, or industry connections, this is your chance to forge valuable relationships that drive your startup forward. Schedule your meetings and make every moment count!

Spend time connecting with our Venture Connect sponsors! Visit their booths, learn about their work, and explore ways to collaborate and build meaningful relationships.

How does the Triangle stack up against the leading startup ecosystems in the world? Dealroom CEO Yoram Wijngaarde opens with a global snapshot of venture activity, highlighting trends across capital, sectors, and emerging innovation hubs. Drawing on insights from the Triangle’s Dealroom initiative with CED, Yoram then joins Bill Spruill for a candid discussion on […]

The companies in this session are operating at the frontier of what hardware and deep technology can do. From advanced robotics and satellite systems to novel materials and semiconductor architecture, these innovators are building the physical and computational infrastructure of tomorrow.

An informal, high-energy meet-up designed to connect students, startups, and university partners in one room. Whether you're a founder looking for sharp summer talent or a student seeking a hands-on internship for Summer 2026, this session creates space for real conversations and meaningful connections. Come ready to introduce yourself, explore opportunities, and spark the next […]

The question is no longer whether AI will reshape your workforce. It already has. The harder question, and one most organizations have yet to solve is: how do you intentionally design how humans and AI work together to maximize value? Deloitte’s 2026 Global Human Capital Trends research reveals that while 60% of executives are already […]

This session showcases software companies using artificial intelligence, automation, and modern cloud platforms to solve real-world problems across healthcare, construction, education, finance, and beyond. What unites them is a commitment to replacing inefficiency with intelligence — and delivering measurable impact to the people and organizations they serve.

Most founders think fundraising is a pitch contest. It isn’t. It’s a structured process driven by preparation, evidence, and investor psychology. In this talk, Lesley Ross shares the playbook founders can use to navigate venture fundraising and significantly improve their odds of success.

We are excited to host an invite-only Tech Investor Lunch during Venture Connect. This is a unique opportunity to network with fellow tech investors over lunch and engage in insightful conversations. Thank you to KPMG for sponsoring this lunch!

Take a break, grab a bite, and connect organically with fellow attendees. This unscripted, unstructured lunch is your time to step outside, spark new conversations, and build relationships in a […]

Launch Chapel Hill Powered by KPMG presents a live showcase of its inaugural cohort, featuring ten early stage AI and deeptech startups building technical, high impact solutions. Founders take the […]

From ENT care to oncology, the companies in this session are redefining how medicine is practiced, delivered, and experienced. Whether through novel device engineering, AI-powered diagnostics, or breakthrough therapeutics, these […]

The Triangle's next biotech companies are already taking shape in university labs. This session brings six faculty scientists to the stage to present discoveries at the frontier of venture formation […]

Hear from our area's youngest entrepreneurs out of the NC School of Science and Mathematics who are designing solutions to tackle global challenges: Julianna Jones Anne Boafo Caroline Wang Lucas […]

The companies in this session are confronting some of the most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges of our time. From climate-resilient crops to next-generation water treatment and sustainable seafood, these […]

Most founders think “lean” means hiring slowly and using ChatGPT on the side. That’s outdated. At Ariso, Erkang Zheng works with two “teammates” every day: Ari, an AI operating partner […]

This session looks at how AI is actually being evaluated in life science today. Rather than focusing on hype or predictions, the conversation will explore what makes the technology credible, […]

Kelly Breslin Wright returns to the stage for a live GTM Ask Me Anything following her Supercharge GTM session. This open Q&A gives founders and operators the chance to go […]

Hear from a few of our most engaged life sciences investors about their investment focus. These firms provide much needed funding and expertise to life sciences companies, propelling their missions […]

Early-stage startups navigate some of the most uncertain waters, in search of their true north star of innovation. Let’s hear it from a few of the best groups to see […]

Don’t rush out just yet! Join us in the lobby for a celebration honoring our Venture Connect speakers and presenters. Enjoy beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks as we toast to […]