Amazing things happen when
the right people come together.
Tech Leaders Forum (TLF) is accelerating Charlotte’s tech community one good cup of coffee, and
one great conversation, at a time. Check out some of our past events.
September 2026
The New Rules of Growth: Building, Managing, and Trusting AI at Scale
AI is changing how companies find customers, build growth teams, and manage the systems underneath it all. But what’s actually working, and what’s just noise?
Join TLF Charlotte for a candid conversation with founders and operators building, managing, and scaling growth in the AI era. This panel brings together founders and operators working across every layer of growth in the AI era — from hands-on execution, to the discipline of scaling automated systems, to the infrastructure that makes AI-driven growth trustworthy, to how it plays out inside a large enterprise.
This isn’t a theoretical AI panel. It’s field notes from people actively doing the work — building the tools, running the teams, and making the calls on what to trust and what to ignore.
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
July 2026
TLF Charlotte's 5th Annual TECH Sunset Cruise
TLF Charlotte’s most anticipated event of the year brought together an exclusive evening cruise along the stunning shores of Lake Norman aboard the Carolina Grace Yacht.
As the sun set over the water, guests enjoyed an open bar, lite bites, and three hours of genuine connection with Charlotte’s most accomplished founders, investors, and tech executives. Rather than a networking event filled with name badges and elevator pitches, it was a relaxed, unhurried evening where real relationships were built and great ideas took shape.
Check out the highlight video:
April 2026
From Seed to Exit: Navigating the Fundraising Journey
Join TLF Charlotte for an insider’s look at the complete fundraising lifecycle—from seed funding through M&A exit—and how AI is transforming every stage of the journey. This expert panel brings together perspectives from across the capital spectrum to share real-world insights on raising money, scaling companies, and navigating each critical stage of growth in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Our panelists include founders who have successfully exited (including a recent $250M Charlotte deal), growth equity investors who back and scale software companies, and an investment banker who guides companies through strategic exits. Together, they’ll explore what it takes to build a successful exit while addressing how AI is reshaping fundraising dynamics, operational efficiency, and the future of work.
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
January 2026
State of the US Economy & Impact on Charlotte Tech Companies
Kick off the new year with one of TLF Charlotte’s most anticipated events. Chief Economist Mark Vitner returns to share his expert analysis of the past year’s economic trends and what’s ahead for 2026. Mark will walk through key charts and data highlighting where the U.S. economy stands—and where it’s headed—offering valuable insights for tech executives planning for growth, investment, and market shifts.
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
AI in Practice Innovation, Investment & Enterprise Guardrails
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
August 2025
TLF Charlotte's 4th Annual TECH Sunset Cruise.
Tech Leaders Forum of Charlotte will be hosting the annual TECH Summer Cruise – a luxurious boating experience along the beautiful summer sunset shores of Lake Norman. Lite bites, cocktails, and connections will be served!
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
May 2025
Executive Compensation Trends in Charlotte and the Southeast
Join TLF Charlotte for an insightful discussion on executive compensation trends, focusing on Charlotte and the broader Southeastern region.
To request a PDF, email info@tlf-charlotte.com
February 2025
Tech M&A – Opportunities & Challenges for Tech Companies in 2025
Featuring Paul Meyer (Mainsail Partners), Ben Richter (CLA), John Steward (Fastbreak.AI), Garth Martin (Envoy Capital Advisors), Chris Rosbrook (Fintelos), Tanner Fritz (Aiwyn), John Yates (Gunderson Dettmer)
May 2024
Executive Compensation for Charlotte Tech Companies featuring
Mark Mahoney (Jackrabbit Technologies), Steve Maciag (Discovery Education), Jenn Miller, (People Solution Group), Carol Sartori (MedShift)
February 2024
VC Investing in Charlotte 2023: Trends, Deal Terms & Valuations
featuring Brandon Shelton (TFX Capital), David Jones (Bull City Venture), Ashley Gautreaux (CreativeCo), and Erin Connolly (Noro-Moseley Partners)
September 2024
How to SUCCESSFULLY Plan Your Exit.
Hear from expert panelists who have recently made a successful exit. When, why, and how they exited, and what made the exit successful.
February 2023
