From startup pitches to investor insights, October 6th at Winston Starts was a day full of opportunities for founders to share their success, build relationships, and explore what’s next in innovation right here in Winston-Salem.
Centered on the theme Where Capital Meets What’s Next, this year’s investor Forum was our biggest yet, bringing together people invested in the future of entrepreneurship and our local economy. Winston Starts welcomed founders, investors, business leaders and community partners to our 2026 Investor Forum, sponsored by Bank of America.
Bringing Founders and Investors Together
The afternoon opened with remarks from Winston Starts President, Mike Schmid and returning title sponsor Bank of America, followed by the Fundraising Showcase. Winston Starts and Innovation Quarter companies actively raising capital pitched their businesses and growth opportunities with investors and local leaders.
Next, industry experts joined The Investor Perspective panel to discuss the investment landscape and what founders should understand as they navigate funding and growth.
One of the added features of this year’s event was welcoming Wake Forest University’s Center for Entrepreneurship students for a pitch competition. Winston Start’s founders and previous Investor Forum winners had the pleasure of judging these pitches and were in awe of these emerging entrepreneurs and the passion, creativity, and innovation they demonstrated.
Barbara West, Winston Starts Director of Operations, shared her enthusiasm of the changes this year. “Including the Innovation Quarter and Wake Forest startups elevated the event for everyone. The inclusion of those eight companies gave Winston Starts Founders more support and visibility than we’ve had previously. A huge thank you to our sponsors, mentors, panelists, attendees and most of all, our founders, for all the work they poured into that day.”
The Real Wins of The 2026 Investor Forum
The positive feedback we’ve received from founders, attendees, and partners has been a genuine highlight for our team!
This event and everything the organization does is to help founders in scaling their startups, from gaining access to the right introduction, expertise and every opportunity to grow. Hearing from so many about the value and impact they saw from this year’s forum meant so much.
As Winston Starts President Mike Schmid shared after the event, “Our founders put in the reps, and it showed. The real win was the conversations off the stage, and several are already turning into follow-up meetings. Thank you to everyone in this community who showed up and continues to support these founders. We couldn’t do it without you.”
Looking Ahead In Winston-Salem and the Triad
The evening closed with remarks from Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines and Winston Starts Chairman of the Board Don Flow, with encouraging remarks about the city’s future and the bright opportunities ahead for entrepreneurship and founders here and across the Triad.
The evening wrapped up with a cocktail reception on the 18th-floor patio of 500 W. Fifth, home to our reception sponsor Flow Automotive’s headquarters. With the sun setting over downtown Winston-Salem and Pilot Mountain in the distance, it was a fitting backdrop for reflecting on the incredible day and looking ahead to the future.
Thank You for Helping Us Build What’s Next
A heartfelt thank you to our returning title sponsor, Bank of America, and supporting sponsors Flow Automotive, NC IDEA Foundation, Kilpatrick, Summit School, and Forvis Mazars. Your support helps make opportunities like this possible.
To every founder who pitched, investor who listened, student who stepped up, and partner who showed up: thank you for being part of the 2026 Investor Forum.
Our biggest Forum yet was about more than filling a room. It was about bringing the right people together to help promising companies move forward.
We’re excited to see what comes next and we hope you’ll join us!