What we’re about
Welcome Start-ups, Entrepreneurs and Small business owners. This community is for you if you're looking to connect, build business relationships, and share challenges and solutions within your business with other like-minded individuals. If you're looking for your business family, we are just that at The Village. We will meet monthly in person as group, but will also have free or discounted access to workshops, Business After Hours and other events going on with The Wright Village.
Grab your spot here ----> Join Us
🗓 August 1–3, 2025
📍 The Wright Note Café @ The Wright Village
399 Hubert Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
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### 🔥 Build What Our Communities Need
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.
### 💡 What You’ll Do:
- 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
### 🌍 Weekend Themes:
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
### 🎯 Who Should Attend?
- Aspiring entrepreneurs & first-time founders
- Nonprofit professionals & community organizers
- Techies, creatives, strategists & problem-solvers
- Anyone with an idea (or passion) to make a difference
### ✅ What’s Included:
- 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!
### 🎟 Space is limited — reserve your spot today!
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.
### 💬 Questions?
Email: info@thewrightvillage.com
Follow us: @thewrightvillagerdu on IG & FB
### 🙌 Powered by Community. Backed by Vision.
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This event is proudly presented in partnership with NC IDEA, helping North Carolinians pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions and build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- REEL RESILIENCE: DREAMLAND (The Burning Of Black Wall Street)The Wright Note Cafe, Raleigh, NC
Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.
This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.#### 🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: DREAMLAND (THE BURNING OF BLACK WALL STREET)
Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street is a 2021 documentary directed by Salima Koroma and executive produced by LeBron James through his SpringHill Entertainment company. The film commemorates the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a devastating event in American history that saw the destruction of the prosperous Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma—an area known as "Black Wall Street."
The documentary delves into the origins of Greenwood's economic success, highlighting its vibrant Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and the community's resilience in the face of systemic racism. It examines the events leading up to the massacre, where a white mob, incited by a false accusation against a Black teenager, decimated the 35-block neighborhood, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The film also explores the subsequent cover-up and the long-term impact on the descendants of the victims.
It’s an inspiring story of resilience, influence, and the power of relationships in shaping Black excellence across multiple industries.#### Key Themes:
✅ Entrepreneurship & Business Growth – Building a brand from the ground up
✅ Resilience & Overcoming Adversity – Facing discrimination and industry challenges
✅ Women in Leadership – Breaking barriers in a male-dominated society
✅ Branding & Marketing – The power of storytelling and self-promotion#### VIP Black Box Experience 🎁
Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!
📢 Just want to say thank you to Raleigh Division of Community And Small Business Development for sponsering this event!
📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?
Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!
📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Where: The Wright Village
🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️
