THE
IMPACT
$9B
Raised by companies who have been on stage
200+
VC’s + Capital sources ready to invest
1200+
In-person Summit Attendees
7000
Alumni Companies pitched onstage
WHERE TECH AND BIOTECH INTERSECT
Venture Connect is a one-of-a-kind capital summit bringing together Tech and Biotech under one roof. Largest selection of high growth companies that are scaling in the SE.
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“Fitting the full story of your business in five minutes is a daunting task for someone so invested in all components of her business, but the creation process helped me hone my message and reflect on the amazing things we’ve done so far.”
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“As we grow, we run into different roadblocks that are past my experience, or of my team’s. And we need someone like a CED or some of these investors and partners to help us bridge that gap, whether through mentorship, finding the right people that can come on our team, or just kind of like talking us through the process for that.”
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“The CED Venture Connect Summit is the must-attend event for entrepreneurs and investors in this ecosystem. I can’t begin to count the number of companies and funds that we connected with at the Summit through the years that we’ve started and strengthened lasting relationships with. When planning our conference schedules this year, it all starts by planning around CED and this event.”
What to Expect
Get Noticed
Pitch
Venture Connect offers companies the unique opportunity to present their scaling plans to a national audience of investors as well as potential future partners, customers and employees. Selected companies will pitch live on multiple stages, sharing their company goals to gain visibility and potential financial backing while waving the flag for great innovation coming out of this region. This is your opportunity to make your company stand out from the competition – tell us about your journey and how you are making waves in your industry. Pitch applications open this fall.
Support Startups
Sponsor
You are in good company when you become a sponsor at Venture Connect. This investment will deliver immediate value in front of an audience that suits you while fueling the entrepreneurial spirit of North Carolina. As a sponsor, you have many options, so we invite you to focus on your motivations to find your best fit.
Connect Onsite
Attend
Who attends Venture Connect Summit? CED strives to create an environment where attendees can connect to the resources they seek. You should attend if you are a:
- Regional start-up or growth-stage company that is scaling fast.
- Local or out-of-state investors looking to connect with scaling ventures.
- Corporate and strategic partner who is highly invested in the NC ecosystem.
- Community resources aligned with accelerating the growth of companies.
- Explorers looking to connect with others in the ecosystem.
SUMMIT SPONSORS
Venture Connect attracts all types of resources from the entrepreneurial ecosystem that enable startups to accelerate their growth and fuels the entrepreneurial spirit in North Carolina. Sponsors include investors, professional service partners, other startups, community resources, and more. Learn more about our sponsors.
Companies selected to pitch are high growth, scalable ventures in Biotech, Tech, Food Innovation, and Ag spaces. They will have five minutes onstage to tell their story to an audience of investors, corporate partners, ecosystem resources, and potential talent. The 2023 companies have been announced.
Two days with nonstop content that appeals to all attendee types. We have time for open networking and private spaces available all day to make 1:1 connections with other attendees. Our mobile app gives you access to an attendee directory, detailed agenda with speakers, meeting requests, bookable meeting space, and more.
CED is committed to celebrating our regional ecosystem and all the people that make it a thriving, attractive place to build a high-growth company. For the second year, CED will be hosting an evening event, a casual tailgate-style party that features live entertainment as well as local food and breweries. Enjoy live music, good food and drinks, and even better company!