The entrepreneurship arm of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce – known as Launch Greensboro – has the job of accelerating growth for area entrepreneurs through things like teaching, mentoring and showing them how to access capital.
To that end, Launch Greensboro just announced a special event that will take place in mid-March. It’s Startup Week, what the chamber is describing as “a dynamic celebration and catalyst for innovation and empowerment” and a “weeklong summit of ideas and inspiration.”
Monday, March 11 through Friday March 15 is the week the chamber and Launch Greensboro will bring together a whole lot of players in this space – entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and representatives of colleges and universities in an attempt to promote innovation and collaboration, as well as to add some energy to the “entrepreneurial spirit” of Greensboro and the surrounding area.
Launch Greensboro welcomes all participants whether they’re already entrepreneurs or just thinking about becoming one. The chamber says it will be a chance to learn from the best business minds in the region.
Executive Vice President of Launch Greensboro Joey Cheek – and also, of course, Olympic gold medal winning speed skater – is orchestrating the event. He said he’s very excited about it and added, “Startup Week is a chance to show the state what’s possible when a community rallies behind the innovators and dreamers.”
Here are a few of the highlights of the week…
• AI Hackathon (March 11). Presented by NC A&T, this event challenges university and college students from across the region to compete over a two-day period. They will be “building the best AI solution to address pressing civic problems.” This is the kickoff event also meant to “showcase cutting-edge solutions utilizing the best of Language Models and generative AI.”
• Capital Connects (March 14). This startup pitch competition brings together 10 of the most promising startups valued collectively at over $50 million. They’ll pitch for the chance to be crowned the winner of over $10,000 in non-dilutive cash as well as prizes.
• UNCG Esports Super Tournament (March 15). Presented by UNCG, this esports tournament will feature some surprise guests who’ve made their fortune in the esports entrepreneurial world. UNCG’s esports team will compete.
To get a complete list of events, register to attend, or get more information, visit Greensboro.org/Startup.
Why are taxpayers paying for MWBE when the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is offering entrepreneurs a far wider audience than MWBE? Does the Chamber offer help with contract writing? Worth asking. Or does MWBE exist to put pressure on government and businesses to hire MWBE approved contractors regardless of capability?