Strategies for Early-Stage Growth

Join us for a free lunch panel discussion featuring expert speakers on product strategy and growth scaling — the midday session of our dual Product Jam + Growth Jam workshops. While the full-day workshops are limited to 10 accepted companies, this panel discussion is open to all Charlotte founders. Learn from practitioners who've built and scaled tech companies, ask questions, and network over lunch.

Strategies for Early-Stage Growth

Five leaders who've scaled products, brands, and companies share what actually works when you're building from scratch. From finding your first real traction to knowing when to pour fuel on growth, this panel cuts through the noise with hard-won lessons for founders at every stage.

Panelists

• John Espey - Chief Growth Officer, Macedon Technologies

• Ben Granger - Head of Brand Strategy & Activation, First Horizon Bank

• Blair Primis - Chief Growth Officer, OrthoCarolina

• Chris Hart - CEO, IntrosMatter

• Harold Hughes - Founder, Divi

Key Discussion Topics

• Finding traction

• Speed vs. polish

• Growth channels to invest in

• When to invest in marketing vs. product

• The hire (or decision) that changes everything

• Best advice & worst advice?

Who Should Attend

This session is designed for Charlotte-area founders at any stage who want practical insights on product positioning or growth scaling. Whether you're:

• Building your MVP and defining your competitive position

• Launched with early traction and ready to scale

• Exploring how AI tools can accelerate your work

You'll leave with actionable takeaways you can implement immediately.

Doors open at 12:00 PM

Panel begins at 12:30 PM

Event ends at 1:15 PM

About Founder Jams

This panel is part of our dual Founder Jams happening on March 19th, a full-day, AI-powered workshop for tech-forward founders. Product Jam helps founders define competitive positioning and strategy. Growth Jam helps founders systematically scale customer acquisition.

Workshop applications are now closed, but this lunch panel is open to the Charlotte founder community. Learn more about future Founder Jams at https://www.innovatecharlotte.org/founderjams.