The Wright Start: Startup Weekend of Innovation for Impact

🗓 August 1–3, 2025

📍 The Wright Note Café @ The Wright Village
399 Hubert Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

What change do you want to help create? Whether you care about sustainability, financial access, youth empowerment, or tech for social good — The Wright Start is your chance to turn bold ideas into real ventures.

This 54-hour immersive experience brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and problem-solvers to develop impactful business concepts and pitch them to a panel of community mentors.

No experience needed. Just your vision, voice, and energy.

• Form a team
• Choose a real-world challenge to solve
• Work with experienced mentors & coaches
• Develop your idea into a viable business concept
• Pitch your solution for feedback and support
• Network with other changemakers across the Triangle

Explore ideas in areas such as:

• 🖤 Health Equity
• 💸 Access to Financial Services
• 🌱 Sustainable Food Systems
• 📚 Youth & Education Transformation
• 🏘 Affordable Housing
• ♻️ Green Entrepreneurship
• 💻 Tech for Social Good

• Aspiring entrepreneurs & first-time founders
• Nonprofit professionals & community organizers
• Techies, creatives, strategists & problem-solvers
• Anyone with an idea (or passion) to make a difference

• Free meals & coffee all weekend
• Startup supplies & support tools
• Access to expert mentors
• A Restorative breakout activity
• Pitch showcase on Sunday
• A dope kick back celebration event on Saturday night
• Opportunity to continue in The Wright Village’s Sustainable Business Incubator

Participants will also have the opportunity to work closely with experienced mentors, who will provide guidance and support as they develop their ideas. The weekend will culminate in a pitch competition, where participants will have the chance to present their business ideas to a panel of expert judges, and investors and compete for valuable prizes.

Join us and take the first step towards turning your innovative ideas into a reality!

Come solo or with a friend — teams will be formed at the event.

Open to all industries and experience levels.
Must be 18 or older to participate.

How do I prepare?

You can find a list of tools that can help you prepare for the weekend here:

Doing some market research will give you a better understanding of the problem you are trying to solve.

Practice your pitch. You'll have 60 seconds on Friday to persuade other participants to join your team. Make it clear, concise, and convincing!

The elements of a good 60 second pitch are to:

State who you are and what your background is

Mention what problem your product is solving

Explain the product and how it solves the problem

What skill sets you need on the team like a developer, marketer or designer

Provide a name for your startup

Get familiar with some of the tools that you can use during the weekend like the Lean Canvas.

Email: aW5mbyB8IHRoZXdyaWdodHZpbGxhZ2UgISBjb20=
Follow us: @thewrightvillagerdu on IG & FB

This event is proudly presented in partnership with NC IDEA, helping North Carolinians pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Also check out other Business events in Raleigh, Arts events in Raleigh, Health & Wellness events in Raleigh.