NC IDEA will host its 5th annual Ecosystem Summit on November 13-15, 2023 in the Research Triangle region. The Summit is the only statewide conference that brings together diverse leaders to address what is needed to support all entrepreneurs and create a shared vision of making our state the best place to start and grow a business.

While the audience and topics of past Summits have leaned toward support organizations and community partners, more targeted content will be added for all those collectively served - the entrepreneurs. To make all this exciting content and networking fit into one conference, there will be a third day added to this year’s event.

Since the inaugural Summit in 2019, NC IDEA continues to foster partnerships and unique connections that will make a meaningful difference for North Carolina’s entrepreneurial community. You are invited to join hundreds of accomplished peers working together to redefine equitable economic development practices.

In November 2019, NC IDEA hosted the first-ever Ecosystem Summit with the ambition to catalyze entrepreneurship as an economic development strategy for the state of North Carolina. The Summit was an unprecedented gathering of nearly 500 individuals and organizations who support, encourage and nourish North Carolina’s entrepreneurs. Attendees came together to share what is working for them, address issues and concerns, meet and network with those doing similar work in other communities, and celebrate and promote entrepreneurs and their successes across the state.

In both 2020 and 2021, attendees connected virtually to celebrate entrepreneurship and look to the future of building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem for all. 

In 2022, attendees reconnected in person to showcase the growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem that has supported a record-breaking number of new high-propensity firm filings since 2020. Nearly 500 attendees joined us from around the state representing: Universities, HBCUs, Community Colleges, Small Business Centers, CDFIs, Economic Development Organizations, Public School Administrators, Foundations and Philanthropists, county and local government officials, policy makers and inspirational entrepreneurs.

Source: NC IDEA Foundation