• From Scale to Sale: Building Leverage Before You Need It

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

    Transaction readiness isn’t a last-minute sprint—it’s the result of disciplined decisions made years earlier. In this session, Tyson Nargassans, CED Founder in Residence and CEO of Slope Software, shares hard-won lessons on how to structure your company so you can move quickly, command stronger valuations, and stay in control when investors or acquirers come calling. […]

  • Is Your Board Keeping You Up at Night?

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

    Boards can accelerate your company or slow it down. In this interactive workshop, Mitch Heath draws on his experience leading and scaling a venture backed company to tackle real boardroom challenges founders face. You’ll work through how to manage dynamics, run meetings that drive decisions, and get real value from your board. Come ready to […]

  • Presentation Session | Next-Gen Hardware & Deep Tech

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

    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.

  • Student & Startup Talent Meet-Up

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

    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 […]

  • Tech Investor Panel

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

    Join a respected panel of growth-stage investors (moderated by Peter Franconi of Fulcrum Equity Partners) as they discuss relevant topics ranging from the capital raising environment to the prevalence of AI in software business models.

  • Early Exits & Transaction Ready

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

    Given the long roadmaps, most life science companies are going to exit well before revenue and some exit much earlier than originally planned. How did these opportunities unfold? How did you prepare? What do you wish you had done differently? Join us for an exciting fireside chat with exited founders sharing insights from their journeys. […]

  • Fireside Chat | Supercharge GTM in the Modern AI Landscape

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

    Go to market execution is where most startups stall, and AI is changing how the best teams solve it. Kelly Breslin Wright, former President and COO of Gong and CRO of Tableau, joins Susan Cook, former CEO of Zaloni and CEO of DAS42, for a candid conversation on building high performing GTM engines. They will […]

  • Founders Happy Hour for Presenting Companies

    The Durham Hotel 315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC, United States

    Presenting founders are invited to join us for an exclusive happy hour at the end of VC26 Day 1. We hope to see you there! Thank you, Bank of America and Canopy, for sponsoring this event.

  • Investor Dinner

    A private, invite-only dinner offers a chance for our regional VCs to connect directly with out-of-region funds in an intimate setting. A special thank you to EisnerAmper, Hutchison PLLC, & JP Morgan for sponsoring this event.

  • Day Two | Doors Open & Morning Welcome

    DPAC Floor 1 Lobby 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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!

  • Partnering & Investor Meetings

    DPAC Floor 3 Lobby 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, United States

    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!

  • Sponsor Connection

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

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