Conferences Tech Founders and VCs Are Attending This Fall (2025)

The summer heat has us thinking about the crisp fall days ahead. And those days are, inevitably, filled with conferences.

Investors and founders alike will be criss-crossing the Southeast this summer for a growing number of pitch competitions, conferences, and in-person events designed for the startup community.

We've rounded up a few that are on our radar:

Asheville Entrepreneurship Week in North Carolina: September 1-6

Details are just starting to emerge about Asheville's fall entrepreneurial week, and the call is out for those hosting events during the time! Details here.

3686 in Nashville, Tennessee: September 8-10

Rooted in Nashville and named for the city’s geographic coordinates, 3686 is the state’s entrepreneur conference and the largest gathering of its kind in the state. From networking events to panel discussions with the state's leading innovators, 3686 has become a staple event on the calendar for anyone interested in startups building and growing in the Southeast.More details and tickets on 3686 can be found here.

Next Venture Summit in Greenville, South Carolina: September 16-17

For a decade, the Next Venture Summit has ignited the startup scene in the Carolinas, creating powerful connections between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Now back and in its tenth year, the summit will supercharge the community with educational content, connect companies to fundraising firms, and offer high-quality networking opportunities for attendees.

Details on the Greenville-based summit can be found here.

Summit for Women in Tech in Wilmington, North Carolina: September 17-18

NC TECH, alongside presenting sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, are bringing over 400 women to the beaches of North Carolina for the 6th annual Summit for Women in Tech being held in a new location, Wilmington, NC.

Details on the Summit for Women in Tech can be found here.

Venture Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia: October 14-16

The highlight of the year. Venture Atlanta, now in its 18th year, is the go-to event for founders to meet investors not only from the Southeast but from across the United States. A few pitch spots are starting to fill up...so don't forget to grab your tickets and submit your pitch applications!

DreamHack in Atlanta, Georgia: October 31-November 2

Atlanta’s largest Gaming and Esports Festival is back this fall in the Downtown neighborhood. DreamHack is where the gaming world comes to life. More than a festival, it’s a celebration of play, competition, and community — all under one roof. Whether you’re here to meet your favorite creators, compete on stage, watch the greatest tournaments, explore new games, or adventure into our immersive expo, DreamHack is the place to connect, share, and create unforgettable moments. From esports tournaments and cosplay championships to music, gaming, and hands-on experiences, every corner is alive with energy and excitement. More details here.

Startup Mountain Summit in Johnson City, Tennessee: November 6-8

Last year Hypepotamus ventured up to Johnson City to see what startup ecosystem is building across eastern Tennessee. What we found was a growing and evolving community of founders and remote tech workers passionate about building in the area. Startup Mountain Summit is back this year and worth checking. More details here.

Venture135 in Charlotte, North Carolina: November 20-21

This one is for the fintech fanatics. Venture135, presented by RevTech Labs, is primarily invitation only. Only a very limited number of tickets will be open for purchase this year. The team says the best venture capitalists, angel investors, and Corporate Innovation Teams will be in attendance. More details here.

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