Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

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January 21, 2025 | Tom Ballard

Southeast Shoutouts 1 | Center for Entrepreneurial Development announces dates for its Venture Connect

Northern Kentucky life science nonprofit names a new Executive Director

From Research Triangle Park, NC:

The Center for Entrepreneurial Development has announced the dates for its Venture Connect conference, which returns March 25-27, but in a new venue. The conference will be held at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Raleigh.

The annual event 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 the North Carolina region.

From Covington, KY:

Covington Life Sciences Partners Inc. (CLSP) has a new Executive Director. Christin Godale, who most recently served as Director of Life Sciences at venture firm CincyTech, was selected in late December to lead the nonprofit lab incubator dedicated to accelerating science, entrepreneurship, education, and economic development in Northern Kentucky. She holds a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati and led investment diligence while building relationships with leading academic and healthcare institutions during her time at CincyTech.

Founded in November 2022, CLSP provides affordable lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and essential resources to empower innovators and advance groundbreaking work. It will occupy 15,000 square feet on the second floor of the OneNKY Center being built by the Northern Kentucky Port Authority.

From Chapel Hill, NC:

Innovate Carolina has announced its first cohort of members to the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s National Academy of Inventors (NAI) chapter, which supports and celebrates the achievements of inventors within the UNC-Chapel Hill community. Since its founding in 2010, the NAI organization champions inventors with U.S. patents by recognizing their contributions, advancing academic innovation, promoting intellectual property disclosure, mentoring student innovators, and raising public awareness about the societal benefits of its members’ work.

“We are excited to celebrate the inaugural members of UNC-Chapel Hill’s National Academy of Inventors chapter,” says Dedric A. Carter, Chief Innovation Officer and Vice Chancellor of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as NAI Invention Ambassador. “Their groundbreaking work and dedication to innovation inspire our community and pave the way for future inventors at Carolina to transform ideas into impactful solutions.”

From Tampa, FL:

Tampa Bay Wave has announced the 15 companies that are participants in its newest CyberTech|X Accelerator cohort. It is a diverse group that brings together ambitious founders from across the United States and the United Kingdom, underlining Tampa Bay’s emergence as a global cybersecurity hub.

Supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the program kicked off recently with an intensive, founder-focused experience in Tampa Bay. Participants will receive industry-focused mentoring, training, and support leading up to the Pitch Night on February 25.

Six of the companies come from Florida, along with other states. One is an international business.

From Orlando, FL:

Sheena Fowler will succeed David Adelson as Chief Executive Officer of Innovate Orlando, a collaborative initiative between the city of Orlando, Orange County, and the Orlando Economic Partnership geared toward promoting and uniting the local technology ecosystem.

Described as a longtime figure in Orlando’s tech community, Fowler most recently served as Business Development Manager for Red 6, an augmented reality firm. She began her new duties on January 20. In a social media post, Adelson praised the decision to turn the reins over to Fowler.

“I can’t think of anyone better than Sheena Fowler to continue the momentum and energy that has made the City of Orlando and the Orlando Tech Community one of the best places to start a business in the United States,” he said.



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