Innovation

SBIR/STTR Proposal Development Series

Coast Guard ALC Modernization & Sustainment Accelerator

Event Overview

When. June 16 – 18, 2026

Where. Elizabeth City, North Carolina

As part of the modernization effort, the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) is partnering with the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) on the ALC Modernization and Sustainment Accelerator.

US Department of Transportation National Small Business Matchmaking Series

The National Small Business Matchmaking Series is a premier initiative designed to bridge the gap between local small businesses and the federal marketplace. Our mission is to empower American entrepreneurs by providing the tools and connections necessary to succeed in federal contracting.

Ethics and Excellence: Navigating Today’s Business Challenges

Join us on Wednesday, May 6 for Ethics & Excellence: Navigating Today’s Business Challenges—a FREE dynamic half-day event designed to equip you with practical strategies for leading with integrity in today’s complex business environment.

Hear from keynote speaker David Dowdy, entrepreneur and best-selling author, as he shares powerful insights to spark ethical leadership and sustainable success.

Advancing Research and Innovation for National Defense and Security

It is with great pleasure that the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Division of Research and Engagement invites you to “Advancing Research and Innovation for National Defense and Security,” a collaborative two-day workshop organized by:

• Innovation Collaborative Laboratory for Nanotechnologies to Empower the Future Soldier (ICONS)
• Institute for the Convergence of Optimized Methods for Military Advances and National Defense (iCOMMAND)

This workshop is designed to bring together leaders from the DEVCOM Soldier Center and Fort Bragg, as well as University researches and innovation partners to advance national defense to discuss cutting-edge research, build strategic collaborations, and advance workforce development.

Empowering Small Businesses for Financial Readiness

Are you ready to take your small business to the next level?

Join Elaine Marshall North Carolina Secretary of State for “Empowering Small Businesses for Financial Readiness”, a FREE session designed to equip you with the knowledge, tools, confidence to make business financially resilient and primed for growth.

NCDOT Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan – Asheville

NCDOT is currently updating the Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan. In April, we will be hosting four (4) freight forums to reach out to stakeholders and industries across North Carolina for their input into the plan and North Carolina’s freight network (highway, seaports/inland ports, airports, and rail).

NCDOT Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan – Raleigh

NCDOT is currently updating the Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan. In April, we will be hosting four (4) freight forums to reach out to stakeholders and industries across North Carolina for their input into the plan and North Carolina’s freight network (highway, seaports/inland ports, airports, and rail).

Boots to Business/REBOOT

Boots to Business Reboot is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Veterans of all eras, Active Duty Service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and spouses are eligible to participate.

Small Business Outreach Event, Coastal Carolina Community College

When. 19 May 2026, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Where. Coastal Carolina Community College, Melton Skills Center, 444 Western Blvd. Jacksonville, NC  28546

Purpose of the Outreach Event.

• Inform and educate businesses on the North Carolina-based support organizations available to assist businesses in becoming eligible and competitive for Department of Defense contracts.

US Forest Service Industry Day

Hosted by the SBTDC, US Forest Service Forest Service, and Partner Apex Accelerators

The US Forest Industry Day is back, this time with sessions across North Carolina focused on connecting contractors with USDA Forest Service contracting opportunities, including civil construction and service-based work related to Hurricane Helene recovery.

CMMC Level 1 Implementation Workshop: Hands-On Guidance Through All 15 Controls

Most defense contractors know they need to deal with CMMC. What they don’t know is exactly how to do it, or where to start. The requirements are clear enough on paper: 15 security practices, a self-assessment, an executive affirmation filed in SPRS.

SciTechCONNECT Regional Pop-Up event in Greensboro

DoW SciTechCONNECT North Carolina Regional Pop-Up Information Session

Summary

Join the North Carolina Military Business Center for an information session in advance of the DoW SciTechCONNECT North Carolina Regional Pop-Up (April 29, 2026, Greensboro). The Regional Pop-Up is designed to break down barriers to entry and educate, motivate, and inspire new potential performers from small businesses, industry, and academia to engage with the Department of War and grow the national security innovation ecosystem.

Summit Keynote SpeakerDr. Larry D. McCallister, Ph.D, PE, PMP, SESDirector of ProgramsUS Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division

Dr. Larry McCallister was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in September 2013 and serves as the as the South Atlantic Division Programs Director where he oversees work in the Southeast United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is responsible for the US Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works mission consisting of planning, engineering and construction for navigation, flood control, stream bank and shore protection, hurricane and storm damage reduction, emergency preparedness response and recovery, hydropower, water supply, recreation, environmental protection and recovery, permitting, real estate and interagency and international support. 

Exhibitor Spaces for Summit are Nearly Sold Out

Interest in exhibiting this year at Summit has been exceptionally strong, and only a limited number of exhibit spaces remain. ​If your organization is interested in securing a booth, this is an excellent opportunity to showcase your products, services, and capabilities to a wide audience of industry leaders, federal and DoD representatives, and business professionals from across the region. 

Virtual Industry Day Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

This is an announcement for an upcoming virtual industry day only. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Jacksonville District (Corps) will hold a virtual Industry Day for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Indian River Lagoon South (IRL-S) C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area (C-44 RSTA) Seepage Management Feature – Relief Wells Contract A, Martin County, Florida on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

State Energy Conference

Powering Connections. Driving Innovation.
The State Energy Conference of North Carolina brings together energy professionals, policy makers, innovators, and businesses to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the energy sector. This premier event delivers actionable insights that support North Carolina’s regional energy economy and foster national impact.

DLA Energy Worldwide

Mission accomplishment requires close collaboration and strong relationships with critical stakeholders. The 2026 DLA Energy Worldwide Energy event highlights the importance of partnerships across the entire spectrum of the energy supply chain and provides a forum for energy industry leaders to engage in dialogue about issues critical to both industry and consumers.

NC Advanced Mobility Symposium at RTI International

The NC Advanced Mobility Symposium convenes leaders from industry, government, defense, research, and emerging technology organizations to focus on real-world deployment of advanced mobility, autonomy, UAS, AAM, and dual-use technologies. The 2026 program emphasizes on connecting policy, funding, and operational pathways at a pivotal moment for the ecosystem.

Supplier Matchmaking Expo at Charlotte Motor Speedway

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Association of Manufacturers are excited to announce the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo that will be held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 11, 2026, from 10 am – 2 pm EDT.

The Supplier Matchmaking Expo is your chance to meet domestic corporate partners from companies of all sizes that are looking for suppliers.

Small Business Outreach Event at Wayne Community College

Join the NCMBC for an engaging Small Business Outreach Event at Wayne Community College. This session brings together regional experts, federal partners, and local resource organizations that will share valuable opportunities and insights supporting business growth, government contracting, workforce development and small business assistance.

Industry Day hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Office

Join the US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, February 19, 2026 for an Industry Day for the construction of an Area Maintenance Support Activity (AMSA) / Vehicle Maintenance Shop (VMS) located in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

When. February 19, 2026 at 8:30 EST

Where.

Small Business Boot Camp (SBBC) 6

Purpose
SOFWERX, in coordination with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), will provide a forum for Small Businesses with technologies that support National Security Interests and/or the USSOCOM technology interest areas to learn more about doing business with USSOCOM.

2nd Quarter FY 2026 Office of Construction and Facilities Management Virtual One-on-One Meetings

Registration will open soon for the FY2026 2nd Quarter one-on-one meetings with senior leaders from the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC) and the Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

These 20-minute sessions, hosted by Dr.

CMMC is Here: What the CMMC 48CFR Final Rule Means for Veteran-Owned DoD Contractors

The final regulatory step toward full implementation of CMMC has arrived. CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, and is the framework developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure contractors and organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) meet specific cybersecurity standards.

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) Virtual Business Opportunity Session

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Direct Access Program (DAP), invites you to a virtual business opportunity session.

This session is designed for capability-driven small businesses with a proven track record in federal subcontracting.

VA Technology Transfer Program Virtual Business Opportunity Session

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research and Development, Technology Transfer Program (TTP), in collaboration with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Direct Access Program (DAP), invites you to a virtual business opportunity session.

This session is designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs interested in commercializing healthcare technology developed by VA researchers and clinicians.

VHA Procurement & Logistics Office (P&LO) Regional Program Office (RPO) West (NCO 19) Quarterly Virtual Business Opportunity Session

Join the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for a virtual event in collaboration with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Procurement and Logistics Office (P&LO) Regional Program Office (RPO) West Network Contracting Office (NCO 19).

Hosted by VA Small Business Liaisons (SBLs), these sessions will provide insights into the region’s strategic priorities and upcoming opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB).

How to Do Business with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Other Large Businesses

Join the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and the Strategic Outreach and Communications Program (SOC) for a virtual training webinar on “How to Do Business with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Other Large Businesses.”