Innovate Carolina catalyzes academic researchers, industry, and the entrepreneurial communities to tackle big challenges that impact North Carolinians through a series of events.
Innovate Carolina, the central team for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, announces a new series of programming that aims to spark new collaborations while creating economic development opportunities.
Beginning in September, Innovate Carolina’s Signature Series at The Junction will tackle big challenges that matter to North Carolina and the greater good. Participants will have opportunities to learn from and network with industry experts, academic researchers, the local and regional entrepreneurial and business community, and the community at large.
“We believe sharing experiences brings power to new ideas and better ways to work,” says Sheryl Waddell, Innovate Carolina’s director of economic development and innovation hubs. “Held in the new Innovate Carolina Junction space in downtown Chapel Hill, the Signature Series will serve as a conduit for bringing valuable ideas into the world faster, making the greatest social and economic impact possible.”
The inaugural Signature Series will examine the future of work, a complex topic that industry, startups, academia and community members are working to prepare for, whether their challenges are big or small. The topic is especially crucial for North Carolina as the state recently ranked by CNBC as America’s Top State for Business in 2023 for the second year in a row. The future of work will be a critical issue for the state to examine, prepare for and work to best set companies up for success.
By addressing the intersection of technology, talent, and trends in the future of work, individuals, organizations, and policymakers can anticipate and navigate the transformative changes ahead equipped with new insights, they can unlock opportunities for growth, innovation and sustainable work environments.
According to the World Economic Forum, companies predict that 42 percent of business tasks will be automated by 2027, and employers estimate that 44 percent of workers’ skills will be disrupted over the next five years. In addition, six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of workers have access to adequate training opportunities today.
“Through the Signature Series, we want to create an open-door environment and atmosphere where anyone is welcome,” adds Waddell. “We are integrating large corporations, startup companies, small businesses and innovation groups from larger corporations. That dynamic mix of perspectives will enable participants to learn from and feed off one another in order to cultivate ideas that will create impact.”
A few of the companies participating in the future of work programming include:
• Deloitte’s Institute for the Future of Work will address upskilling.
• Cisco’s Outshift team will share how using technology such as AI, AR/VR and Quantum is enhancing their products.
• Red Hat will present how they tackle the hybrid work environment from a technology and real estate perspective.
Signature Series events and programming are hosted at the Innovate Carolina Junction, just steps from campus in the newest building in downtown Chapel Hill. The Junction aims to strengthen the economy by bringing industry into the local community and keeping startups created at Carolina in Chapel Hill.
>> Find out more and register for Signature Series programming.
| UNC-CH
