• Presentation Session | Software Innovation

    DPAC Stage
    DPAC Stage 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • How Fundraising Actually Works

    DPAC President’s Club
    DPAC President's Club 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • Tech Investor Lunch

    NanaSteak
    NanaSteak 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • Lunch Break | Connect & Recharge

    DPAC Floor 2 Lobby 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • KPMG & Launch Chapel Hill Showcase

    DPAC President’s Club
    DPAC President's Club 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • Presentation Session | Human Health — Biotech & Medtech

    DPAC Stage
    DPAC Stage 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 innovators are tackling some of healthcare’s most persistent challenges.

  • The Science Leading NC’s Next Biotech Wave

    NanaSteak
    NanaSteak 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC, United States

    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 — giving investors an early look at the human health innovations poised to anchor the Triangle's next wave of biotech companies.

  • Presentation Session | Science for a Healthier Planet

    DPAC Stage
    DPAC Stage 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 innovators are using science to build a more resilient and sustainable world. Thank you, NCBiotech, for sponsoring this event.  

  • From Lean Startup to the One Person Unicorn

    DPAC President’s Club
    DPAC President's Club 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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 who handles the busywork and helps them grow, and Ivan, an AI engineering partner that ships code while we sleep. Together, they let them do […]

  • Signal or Noise: What AI in Biotech is Actually Worth

    DPAC Stage
    DPAC Stage 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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, where it is genuinely useful, and why the companies gaining traction tend to be solving fundamental problems in ways that fit real scientific and industry […]