AI for Business Series: AI-Powered Content Strategy
Participants will explore how AI can enhance SEO, streamline long-form writing, and support video and audio content production.
Semi-Annual Pitch Competition
The Wake Forest Founders Program is hosting our Spring 2026 Pitch Competition and Showcase at The Loading Dock - Wake Forest! Join us for food and networking, and watch our Founders compete for cash prizes. Come check it out and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem!
AI for Business Series: Data Driven Decision Making with AI
This session focuses on how AI can help businesses collect, analyze, and visualize information to support smarter, faster decision-making.
AI for Business Series: AI in E-Commerce & Customer Retention
This session explores how AI can help e-commerce businesses better understand customer behavior and create more personalized, timely engagement.
AI for Business Series: AI for Finance and Budget Optimization
This session explores how AI tools can support smarter budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making- without replacing professional oversight.
AI for Business Series: Open Forum
This interactive forum is designed as open office hours for businesses looking to better understand how AI can support their operations.
AI for Business Series: AI for Product Design & Innovation
This session focuses on how AI tools can support product and service innovation- from early concept development to rapid prototyping and feedback analysis.
AI for Business Series: Scaling Teams with AI
This session explored how AI can support smarter, more efficient people operations- without replacing the human element that makes teams successful.
AI for Business Series: AI for Customer Acquisition & Marketing
This workshop explores pratical ways to use AI for predictive targeting, content creation, and ad optimization.
Help Wanted: HR 101
This practical session will walk you through the HR basics every small business owner should know, from recruiting and onboarding to legal compliance and retention strategies.
AI for Business Series: Building an AI-Enhanced Website & Chatbot
This practical session introduces no-code tools that make it easy to add AI-powered features to your website, including chatbots designed for customer service, lead generation, and basic support.
AI for Business Series: AI Strategy & Ethics for Long-Term Growth
This session explores how to align AI adoption with your organization's values, goals, and governance needs.
Social Media Made Simple
Join the Wake Forest Chamber for Social Media Made Simple, led by the always dynamic Kim Kaid of Kaid Marketing. Kim brings the perfect mix of strategy, creativity, and real-world practicality. (and our attendees consistently rave about her sessions)
In this interactive workshop, you'll learn:
Which platforms actually make sense for your business (hint: not all of them)
How to create eye-catching graphics using simple, customizable templates
What to post, when to post, and how to stay consistent without burning out
Kim will break it all down in a way that's current, clear, and immediatey actionable. You'll leave with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a realistic plan that makes social media work for your business... not the other way around.
If you've ever thought "I know I should be doing more online, but I don't know where to start," this class is for you.
Register: https://wakeforestchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/27681
Wake Forest Founders Cohort 5 Applications Close
Submit your application by February 25th to be considered for the Wake Forest Founders Spring Cohort!
AI for Business Series: Automating Daily Tasks & Workflows
This hands-on session introduces the fundamentals of business automation and shows how simple workflows can eliminate the manual work, reduce errors, and free up hours each week.
AI for Business Series: Foundations
@ Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce
Please register for this event here.
AI isn't magic- it's tools, data, and instructions working together. This introductory session launches our year-long AI for Business series and is designed to help business owners understand what AI actually is, how today's tools work, and how to begin using them with purpose and confidence.
Strategic Planning/Core Values
@ Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce (North State Conference Room)
Please register for this event here.
Ready to stop reacting and start planning? In this hands-on Strategic Planning Session, we'll guide you through creating a personalized strategic plan for your business. Whether you're aiming for growth, stability, or something in between, this session will help you define clear goals, prioritize actions, and map out a strategy for the year ahead- so you can lead with focus and intention.
WFF Pitch Competition & Entrepreneurial Showcase
@ The Loading Dock, Wake Forest
The Wake Forest Founders Program will host another exciting Pitch Competition & Entrepreneurial Showcase at The Loading Dock - Wake Forest (525 S White St.) on the evening of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:00-7:30. The event is open to all companies in the Wake Forest area, not just those who have participated in Wake Forest Founders programs, and will catalyze the entrepreneurial growth of our community into 2026.
The competition will spotlight the burgeoning startup culture and community in Wake Forest and award cash prizes to participating entrepreneurs. Experienced entrepreneurial and business-minded judges from Wake Forest will determine the winning ventures based on a rubric covering multiple categories. The primary goal is to get more entrepreneurs in the area connected to resources and each other — and then funnel them into the Wake Forest Founders community to ensure they have the best chance of personal and professional success.
For those pitching, attendance at an in-person Pitch Practice/Scrub event on Sunday, November 16, 2025 is required as well.
HUGE thanks to our Spring 2025 event sponsors — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., St. John Properties, Benchmark Bank, The Loading Dock, The Town of Wake Forest, and The Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership.
Reach out to Clark Rinehart (crinehart@wakeforestnc.gov), Entrepreneurial Specialist, with questions.
Conflict Conversations
@The Graham, Cotton Company
Please register for this event here.
Handling tough conversations is important for personal and professional growth. Join other Wake Forest founders for a training on how to best navigate difficult interactions within your business.