Check out the professional photographs taken at the 2023 High Flyer Awards Luncheon.

Please join First Flight Venture Center in celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit at our Third Annual High Flyer Awards Luncheon.

Date: November 17, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: Prestonwood Country Club

300 Prestonwood Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513

First Flight Venture Center, founded in 1991, is a one-of-a-kind non-profit incubator for science/technology start-ups and a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Research Triangle Park, NC. The First Flight community comprises 35-40 HIGH SCIENCE, HIGH IMPACT resident early-stage companies at any given time, over 400 graduates, and hundreds of start-ups that have benefited from Fight’s Flight education programs and funding connections each year.

Our most anticipated event of the year, the High Flyer Awards Luncheon is designated to celebrate and honor those companies and individuals who have contributed to HIGH SCIENCE, HIGH IMPACT innovation, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole.

This year, we will be celebrating our 2023 High Flyers …

Please join First Flight Venture Center in celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit at our Third Annual High Flyer Awards Luncheon on November 17th from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the Prestonwood Country Club.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Inventor Advocate - Sponsor

scientist supporter - Sponsor

Cheers to High Flyer Champions - Sponsors

Corporate table - Sponsor

Startup table - Sponsor

HIGH FLYER LUNCHEON 2022

In 2022, We Celebrate 31 Years of Innovation

In 1991, the North Carolina General Assembly granted the North Carolina Technological Development Authority, Inc. title to a state-owned property for the dedicated purpose of developing a high-technology business incubator.

Fast forward to 2022, now known as First Flight Venture Center, North Carolina's premier science & technology incubator offers targeted programs to assist hundreds of companies across North Carolina and beyond and has been home to over 400 incubator startups worth over $10 billion in commercialization successes.

First Flight is delighted to be celebrating 31 years at the forefront of scientific innovation in North Carolina by hosting our second annual awards luncheon to honor those companies and individuals who have contributed to our community, the scientific field, and entrepreneurship as a whole. This year we will honor Rich West and the outstanding Baebies team alongside Fred Hutchison as this year’s First Flight High Flyers.

In honor of the “High Flyers”, there will be a celebratory luncheon on November 18th from 11:15am - 1:00pm at the Prestonwood Country Club. There will also be opportunities for excellent sponsorship visibility and networking.

Our 2021 30th Anniversary Celebrations: A Look Back

On November 19, 2021 First Flight was proud to host our 30th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon at the Prestonwood Country Club where we celebrated 30 years at the forefront of the science innovation ecosystem.

On December 7, 2021 First Flight was honored to be able to host our “Next 30 Years” Reception at the NC Executive Mansion. At this event, our partners, sponsors, investors, and community members were able to hear about First Flight’s bold vision for the next 30 years.

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Memories of First Flight Venture Center

First Flight Venture Center has been a special place for many professionals, scientists, technology enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs

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Founded in 1991

For 31 years, First Flight Venture Center, a one-of-a-kind non-profit incubator has acted as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Research Triangle Park, NC.

A “First Home” for Many Successful NC Startups

2022 marks the 31st Anniversary that First Flight has been at the forefront of the science innovation ecosystem and has enabled such companies such as, United Therapeutics, Baebies, Advanced Liquid Logic, Ganymede Software, and SciQuest as they created innovations to save lives and impact global society.