2026 March Madness Open House

Description

🏀 Join us for our 5th Annual March Madness Open House: Where Innovation Takes Center Court™. This dynamic event brings together an ecosystem of high science, high impact entrepreneurs and supporters.

AGENDA:

8:30 to 9:00 AM - Registration, Networking, Light Breakfast

9:00 to 9:45 AM - Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ritesh Sheth, Global Head of NPP & OpenAg Research Platforms, UPL

Dr. Sheth will share background on UPL’s NPP & OpenAg Research Platforms as it relates to Open Innovation and non-confidential topics of strategic interest.

10:00 AM to 12:15 PM - Ultimate Pitch Session

• Duke - Cierra Buchman
• East Carolina University - Victor Ihuka
• East Carolina University - Dr. Heather Wright and John Smoot
• NC A&T - Danielle Bunker
• Meredith College
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Nandini Kanthi
• North Carolina Central University - Cori'ana Carter
• Campbell University - Tyler Renken and Ethan Kessler
• University of North Carolina, Wilmington - Carson Jackson
• Elizabeth City State University - Jaylin Razor and Ashanti Razor

12:15 to 2 PM Lunch (FREE Food Trucks and beverages!)

2:00 to 4:30 PM - Open House with LOTS of BASKETBALL across many TV's!