THE EXPERIENCE
Now in its 40th year, Venture Connect serves as the primary connector for Tech and Biotech companies in the Southeast that are seeking capital and other resources to accelerate their growth. The two day experience is designed to endorse, catalyze and amplify quality connections that strengthen your network. Whether you attend the two-day Summit or just the closing Celebration – it will be the best investment you make this year.
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Venture Connect is a two day event, March 20-21, 2024. This year’s schedule is jam-packed featuring 125 companies across two stages. Pitch Sessions below indicate two categories, one category per stage. Our event leverages Jujama partnering software that allows participants who are registered for the event, to connect and schedule meetings up to two weeks before the event. We highly encourage attendees to download and engage with VC24 early!
VC24 Female Founders & Funders Event
5-7pm. The event is one where pioneering women in entrepreneurship and investment come together to network, share insights, and empower each other in the dynamic world of startups and venture capital. Elevate your connections and celebrate the diversity and innovation driving the future of business. We believe that diversity is the key to driving innovation, and this Female Founders & Funders Event aims to amplify the impact of women in the entrepreneurial and investment spheres. Thank you to CIBC and Aprio for supporting this mission and sponsoring this event.
Attendance at this Female Founders & Funders Happy Hour is by invitation only for those pitching at or attending Venture Connect 2024. Please reach out to admin@cednc.org if you would like to be considered for this invite list.
VC24 Kickoff Party
6-9pm. Join us for a new event, a kick-off party welcoming Founders + Funders attending VC24 to downtown Raleigh. Thank you to our sponsor, Bank of America.
Attendance at this Kickoff Party is by invitation only.
Community Events
Riot – 10y Anniversary Celebration – 5-7pm. Join RIoT in celebrating a decade of innovation, advancement, and evolution in the world of Internet of Things (IoT). Find full event details here.
Extracurriculars for Consideration. If you need some help deciding what to do while you are not at the Summit, here is a list of hot spots across the Triangle that the CED Team thinks you will enjoy.
CED Team Recommended Hot Spots
Summit Agenda – Day One
8:30a: Welcome Remarks
8:45a: Keynote: Jes Lipson, 2x Founder, CEO | Levitate
9:15a: Pitches: Growth Saas & Medtech
10:30a: Pitches: AI & Medtech
12:00p: Lunch with Open Networking
1:00p: NC Innovation – Interview with Bennet Waters, Pres. & CEO
1:00p: Reverse Pitch: Angel Investors
1:45p: Pitches: Agtech & Fintech/GovtTech
3:00p: Pitches: Biotech & Deeptech
4:15p: Reverse Pitch: Tech Investors
4:30p: Day One Closing Cocktail Reception
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 at an undisclosed location.
Summit Agenda – Day Two
8:30a: Welcome Remarks
8:45a: Keynote: David Le Strat, SVP Product & Technology | Sharefile
9:15a: Pitches: Sustainability & Consumer Software
10:30a: Pitches: Med Device & Consumer Innovation / Marketplaces
12:00p: Lunch with Open Networking
1:00p: Universities and Unicorns: How the Triangle is primed for a new way of Biotech Ventures
1:00p: NC School of Math and Sciences – Student Presentations
1:45p: Pitches: Digital Health & Diagnostics
3:00p: Pitches: Edtech & Biotech
4:15p: Reverse Pitch: Biotech Investors
4:30p: Celebration top of the Parking Deck
Celebration
4-8pm The Summit Celebration is the best tailgate party of the season, immediately following the Summit. 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. Join us for a taste of what North Carolina has to offer â BBQ, craft brews, and live music. This is a party you wonât want to miss!
Beer, wine, and spirit vendors are invited to apply to be a part of our 2024 Celebration.
Community Events
March Madness 9am-5pm. Join First Flight Venture Center for their 3rd Annual March Madness Open House: Where Innovation Takes Center Courtâ˘. This dynamic event brings together an ecosystem of high science, high impact entrepreneurs and supporters. The event is scheduled to take place on March 22, 2024. Learn More
PURCHASE TICKETS
CED offers two ticket types: Startups and General Admission (aka everyone else.) You have the option to purchase a summit pass that includes entry on both days and the celebration on March 21. OR just a ticket to the celebration. The celebration ticket is perfect for locals who want to come out and support the local startup ecosystem.
VENTURE CONNECT
BOOK YOUR HOTEL
We recommend the following hotels located in downtown Raleigh. Please note that no code is required for booking.
AC Hotel by Marriott
Downtown Raleigh
9 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
Downtown Raleigh
600 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Sheraton by Marriott
Downtown Raleigh
421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Casso, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott
Downtown Raleigh
603 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
The Longleaf Hotel
Downtown Raleigh
300 N Dawson St, Raleigh, NC 27603
The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriott
Raleigh, NC State University Campus
2451 Alumni Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
PITCH
Company applications are now closed. Selected companies will be announced in February.
AGENDA
Full agenda coming soon!
SPONSOR
This investment will deliver immediate value in front of an audience that suits you while fueling the entrepreneurial spirit of North Carolina.
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“Overall, really solid. I think CED did a great job facilitating the events. I was really impressed by the quality of each and every company that spoke as well as the support from the state of NC from a variety of programs, including the CED.”
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“The event fulfilled what I expected to find…it was well orchestrated, the environment supported the intent of the summit very well, and attendee population covered the startup-venture spectrum”
