MARCH 10-12, 2026 | RALEIGH, NC
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   Future Innovators –
Opportunities and Student/Postdoc
Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs  



Are we doing enough to help students and postdoctoral scholars translate hard-tech discoveries into solutions for a more sustainable future? This session addresses that question and explores resources to support emerging entrepreneurs. Attendees will learn about funding opportunities, training and mentorship programs, and infrastructure aimed at inspiring and supporting future hard-tech innovators and entrepreneurs. This session is open to all students (from community college through graduate school) and postdocs as well as those interested in supporting future innovators.

Symposium Co-Chairs


Matthew Hull

Matthew Hull

Director, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory

Virginia Tech

Jacob Jones

Jacob Jones

Professor

North Carolina State University



Key Speakers


Mireya McKee

Mireya McKee

Interim Director

UNC Innovate Carolina

Eli Hornstein

Eli Hornstein

Founder, CEO

elysia bio


Stephen Furst

Stephen Furst

Founder, EO

Smart Material Solutions

Haroon Inam

Haroon Inam

CEO & Co-Founder

DGMatrix



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Sessions

Wednesday March 11

9:30TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program, Future Innovators – Panel Discussion
10:30Future Innovators – Opportunities and Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
11:30Future Innovators – Keynote

2026 Detailed Program

Wednesday March 11

9:30TechConnect Horizons Workforce Development Program, Future Innovators – Panel DiscussionMarriott State C
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, Tim Martin, North Carolina State University, & Jacob Jones, North Carolina State University
M. McKee, UNC innovate Carolina, US
E. Hornstein, elysia bio, US
S. Furst, Smart Material Solutions, LLC, US
10:30Future Innovators – Opportunities and Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging EntrepreneursMarriott State C
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, Tim Martin, North Carolina State University, & Jacob Jones, North Carolina State University
Nano-Engineered BioFET Neural Probes Enabling Closed-Loop Neurochemical Sensing and Modulation
S. van Rijs, Stanford University, US
Anodeless Battery Electrode Design for Next-generation Transportation
Z. Wylie, University of Washington, US
ExoVerse Solutions (EMPLOY- Engineer Micropillar Platform for Ligand-based Optimized Yield)
A. Kumari, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, US
VitaFilm
H. Dahlstrom, Des Moines Area Community College, US
11:30Future Innovators – KeynoteMarriott State C
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, Tim Martin, North Carolina State University, & Jacob Jones, North Carolina State University
TBA
H. Inam, DGMatrix, US
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