Presentation Session | Software Innovation
2026-03-25 11:05 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 to replacing inefficiency with intelligence — and delivering measurable impact to the people and organizations they serve.

How Fundraising Actually Works
2026-03-25 11:05 - 12:00 | DPAC President’s Club, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 can use to navigate venture fundraising and significantly improve their odds of success.

Tech Investor Lunch
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 | NanaSteak, 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 conversations.
Thank you to KPMG for sponsoring this lunch!

Lunch Break | Connect & Recharge
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 | DPAC Floor 2 Lobby, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 relaxed setting. Whether you’re diving into a deep discussion or simply recharging for the afternoon sessions, this is your opportunity to network, unwind, and fuel up for what’s next.

KPMG & Launch Chapel Hill Showcase
2026-03-25 13:10 - 14:05 | DPAC President’s Club, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 stage back to back in a fast moving session that offers a clear look at emerging technologies, bold ideas, and the next generation of companies coming out of the Triangle.
Thank you, KPMG, for sponsoring this event.

Presentation Session | Human Health — Biotech & Medtech
2026-03-25 13:15 - 13:35 | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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
2026-03-25 13:30 - 15:00 | NanaSteak, 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
2026-03-25 13:35 - 14:05 | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
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 Rodriguez Chiappetta

Presentation Session | Science for a Healthier Planet
2026-03-25 14:20 - 15:10 | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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
2026-03-25 14:20 - 15:10 | DPAC President’s Club, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 what used to require multiple managers, analysts, and engineers—without the overhead, politics, or burnout.
In this talk, he’ll share how we’re redefining the lean startup: running like a future unicorn with a tiny team by treating AI not as a tool, but as real operating leverage.

Signal or Noise: What AI in Biotech is Actually Worth
2026-03-25 15:25 - 16:15 | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, 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 workflows.

Pae Wu, General Partner – SOSV
Marcel Frenkel, CEO – Ten63 Therapeutics
Jason Burke, Chief AI & StrategyOfficer – Creo
Reed Few, Director, Data Science External Innovation, R&D – Johnson & Johnson
Dave Ousterhout, Partner – Cape Fear Bio, will help guide the discussion.

Ask Me Anything: Go-To-Market
2026-03-25 15:25 - 16:15 | DPAC President’s Club, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
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 deeper on go to market strategy, hiring, culture, scaling revenue, and the real impact of AI on sales. Bring your toughest questions.

Biotech Investor Reverse Pitch
2026-03-25 16:30 - 17:00 | DPAC President’s Club, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
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 to improve global healthcare outcomes.
Thank you, Deloitte, for sponsoring this event.

Early-Stage Investor Reverse Pitch
2026-03-25 16:30 - 17:00 | DPAC Stage, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
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 if they’d be a great partner for startups building in these early innings.
Thank you, Deloitte, for sponsoring this event.

Celebration
2026-03-25 17:00 - 18:00 | DPAC Floor 2 Lobby, 123 William V Bill Bell Wy, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
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 Venture Connect 2026.

VC Conf
2026-03-31 | NC

NCSU AI in Agriculture
2026-03-31 - 2026-04-02 | NC

First Friday at Raleigh Founded - North Street
2026-04-03 | Raleigh Founded – North Street, 509 W North St, Raleigh, 27603, United States

Free Coworking Day at The Junction
2026-04-03 08:30 - 17:00 | Innovate Carolina, 136 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC, 17514, United States

BioAgTech World Congress
2026-04-07 - 2026-04-10 | NC

11th IdeaFest Business Pitch Competition
2026-04-08 | NC

The AI Briefing
2026-04-08 10:00 - 11:00 | NC

Duke Startup Showcase
2026-04-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Duke University – Fuqua School of Business, 100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, United States

VCIC Global Finals
2026-04-10 - 2026-04-11 | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, 300 Kenan Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States

AI for Public Good
2026-04-13 10:00 - 17:00 | The William and Ida Friday Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, 100 Friday Center Drive, Campus Box 1020, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States

ACG Raleigh Durham Capital Conference & DealSource
2026-04-14 - 2026-04-15 | NC

Miami Tech Week
2026-04-19 - 2026-04-25 | NC

Raleigh-Durham Startup Week
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-26 | NC

RDSW: Coffee & Cornhole with CED
2026-04-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Parker and Otis, 324 Blackwell St, Bay 4, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
​Fuel up for the big week ahead! CED is kicking off Raleigh-Durham Startup Week with a casual coffee and cornhole meetup — the perfect way to get energized, meet fellow founders, and ease into all the sessions and programming #RDSW26 has in store.
​No agenda. No programming (this time!). Just good vibes, great coffee, and an excuse to finally show off your cornhole game.
​Come grab a cup, say hi, and connect with the Triangle startup community before the week gets rolling. All are welcome!
Please note – RSVP is required: https://luma.com/m5izbhr2?tk=eHwAe3

RDSW: Playbooks by Cofounders Capital
2026-04-22 17:00 - 20:00 | NC
