Fayetteville State University Holds Second Innovation Event to Help Local Inspire Local Entrepreneurs

Fayetteville State University will host its second Innovation Pathways and Partnerships gathering on October 3. The free campus event connects makers with vital tools to boost product creation in Eastern North Carolina. Participants can win up to $1,500 in a pitch contest.

Greg McElveen, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at FSU, told BizFayetteville, "The greater Fayetteville area is replete with entrepreneurs and businesses large and small, which have started on the path of developing high-potential new products, but have not been able to find the time or the resources to take those great new ideas from concept to launch."

Two teams struck gold at the first meet-up last April. InfraTech grabbed the top spot with its server cooling system. They've since joined forces with FSU's materials experts to add cutting-edge nanomaterials. Their next step? A shot at a Small Business Innovation Research grant.

The runner-up spot sparked an unexpected team-up. Drone makers Geranium Geospatial and Calective found common ground. Now they're pushing the limits with FSU's brain trust, teaching drones to think and fly solo.

The day starts early. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. Morning sessions pack in quick talks and group work until noon. Inventors pitch their ideas before lunch, then show off working models at 1 p.m.

Three big names back this push for innovation: NCInnovation, FSU's Broadwell Gift Fund, and the Center for Enterprise Resource Planning and Advanced Analytics.

While it costs nothing to join, spots fill fast. Quick action through FSU's sign-up page locks in your place at the table.