This Thursday, young people representing nine social entrepreneur startups will pitch their concepts to an audience at UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Attendees will then vote to decide which three startups will go on to a statewide leadership symposium in Raleigh next spring, and a chance to compete for a $10,000 venture prize from BB&T.

The Wilmington Discovery Forum, an initiative of the N.C. State University-based Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI), will give representatives from each startup five minutes to present their ideas. All are the creations of young professionals or current college students in the Wilmington area, and all embody some aspect of social entrepreneurism, which involves creating a business or revenue stream whose proceeds are used to address social or environmental problems.

Joining with the IEI in sponsoring the Wilmington Discovery Forum, in addition to the CIE, is the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Experiencing Transformative Education through Applied Learning program.

The local organizations pitching at Thursday’s event range from early concepts, such as Waleed Jarrad’s Community Space Idea, to enhancements of established nonprofits, as is the case with Kids Making It’s Apprenticeship Program. The others are Networking for Dreamers, Special Pedals, Straight N’ Arrow Archery, Renewable Recreation, Waste from the Past & Present: Solution for the Future of Our Oceans, Turnip Learning and MissionMade Jewelry.

“I am thrilled Wilmington is a host city for the Discovery Forum Competition,” Laura Brogdon Primavera, the CIE's manager of programs and operations, said in an email Tuesday. “There’s an entrepreneurial talent pool here that’s deserving of attention, mentoring, and guidance and we’re happy to be a part of what’s happening across the state in regards to entrepreneurship, economic development, and showcasing why the NC coast is a great place to live and work.” 

Despite the fact that there is only one venture prize, participation by social entrepreneurs in the seven Discovery Forums statewide has other value, IEI fellow Daniel Brookshire said Tuesday.

"The money is grea,t but the networking and leadership training are more valuable," he said, noting that this year is the first in which the IEI has held regional forums, building on four years of hosting just one in Raleigh. 

"My goals for the pitch contest are largely for exposure and feedback on our venture," said Scott Davis of Waste from the Past & Present, whose organization aims to turn plastic waste into usable fuel.

Jarrad said he hopes to "learn from and meet other like-minded social changers and movers."

Parker Grissom, whose Renewable Recreation plans to transform gyms into renewable energy power plants using people's fitness workouts, said via email, "I think the discovery forum will give me inspiration for organization because our competition is much more organized then us. I am also looking forward to getting feedback from the people that have been with me since the beginning. I will be setting up partnerships with the other organizations as well."

Jacob Bowie, of Networking for Dreamers, wants to use the pitch competition to validate his idea of fostering connections among people who want to create their dreams or find fulfilling careers. He's also looking to sharpening his entrepreneurial skills, "especially with pitching," he said via email Tuesday.

The event, which takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m., is open to the public but registration is required.