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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Event Details</h3>

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The SBCN Startup Showdown Awards Celebration is an invitation-only event. Attendance is reserved for invited guests, finalists, judges, partners, sponsors, and program supporters.

To ensure we can accommodate all invited guests and finalists, attendance is limited to the individual(s) named on the invitation or their designated representative (designee). If you have questions about your invitation, please contact our team.

Guest registration and the reception begin at 5:00 p.m. We encourage guests to arrive at the start of the reception to allow time for check-in, networking, and seating before the Awards Celebration begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Business or business cocktail attire is recommended.

Yes. Professional photographers will be capturing the Awards Celebration throughout the evening. 
By attending the event, you acknowledge that photographs and video may be taken in which you appear. These images may be used by the North Carolina Small Business Center Network and the North Carolina Community College System for promotional, marketing, educational, and other communications related to the SBCN Startup Showdown and future programs.

If you have questions before the Awards Celebration—including your invitation, RSVP, event logistics, accessibility accommodations, or other event-related details—please contact.  
Liz Isley  
Business Operations &amp; Strategic Initiatives Lead 
Economic Development Division  
North Carolina Community College System  
<a href="mailto:isleye@nccommunitycolleges.edu">isleye@nccommunitycolleges.edu</a>

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Logistics</h3>

Parking is available near Market Hall. Please download our Parking Guide for recommended parking locations and walking directions.

Yes. Market Hall is ADA accessible. If you require additional accommodations, please contact us prior to the event.

Yes. Dinner and dessert will be served during the Awards Celebration.

Yes. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when completing your RSVP. If your needs change after you've responded, contact our team and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Awards Celebration</h3>

The evening includes a networking reception, table centerpiece competition, dinner, recognition of all 17 finalists, the announcement of third, second, and first place winners, the crowning of North Carolina's inaugural Statewide Champion, and a dessert reception following the program.

Yes! All 17 Startup Showdown finalists have been invited and will be recognized during the program.

Absolutely! We encourage guests to capture and share their experience. Professional photography will also be available throughout the evening.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Community Voting</h3>

Beginning September 1, the public can watch each finalist’s professionally produced pitch video and vote for the entrepreneur they believe should be named North Carolina’s inaugural Statewide Champion. 
Voting is easy: simply “like” the video, or videos, you want to support. Each like will count as one vote toward the Community Choice tally. 
Supportive comments are welcome and encouraged, but only video likes will be counted as votes.

All finalist videos will be available on the SBCN YouTube Channel and linked directly from this website once community voting begins.

Community voting is one component of the overall competition and helps recognize and celebrate North Carolina's outstanding entrepreneurs.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">About Startup Showdown</h3>

The SBCN Startup Showdown is North Carolina's first statewide entrepreneurship competition, powered by Wells Fargo and led by the NC Small Business Center Network. The program provides entrepreneurs with coaching, mentorship, business planning resources, and statewide visibility while celebrating innovation across North Carolina. The SBCN Startup Showdown is North Carolina's first statewide entrepreneurship competition, powered by Wells Fargo and led by the NC Small Business Center Network. The program provides entrepreneurs with coaching, mentorship, business planning resources, and statewide visibility while celebrating innovation across North Carolina.

The competition is presented by the NC Small Business Center Network with support from Wells Fargo and numerous partners across North Carolina.

Community voting is one component of the overall competition and helps recognize and celebrate North Carolina's outstanding entrepreneurs.

SBCN Startup Showdown Awards FAQs

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Event Details

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Awards Celebration

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About Startup Showdown

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