The Pearl CLT

04/02/2026

The Pearl came alive this week as Health Innovation Day brought together founders, clinicians, investors and community partners from across the region for a full day focused on the future of health care innovation.

As a proud host, The Pearl played an integral role throughout a day filled with curated sessions on the next wave of health tech, hands-on demos from local startups and deep networking of leadership perspectives across clinical innovation, digital health and venture creation.

The announcement of the gBETA Charlotte Health accelerator cohort, Charlotte’s first health innovation accelerator, further reinforced The Pearl’s role as a destination for innovation, collaboration and economic growth.

Thank you to everyone who made Health Innovation Day a meaningful milestone for what we are building together at The Pearl. 🚀

04/01/2026

Inside the classroom at Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte Campus.

Where future health care leaders learn, collaborate and bring their passion to life every day.

04/01/2026

Exciting news!

Starting in 2027, Wake Forest students can spend a semester in Charlotte, gaining real-world experience by day and learning from faculty at night, bridging classroom and career.

Read more in the Charlotte Business Journal: https://wakefo.rest/4v2fsyc

03/25/2026

Meet Shannon Taylor, the force behind daily lab operations at Connect Labs Charlotte at The Pearl and the newest spotlight in our People of the Pearl series.

When a missing plastic fitting recently stalled a project, Shannon didn’t wait on an order – she designed and printed the part herself using a 3D filament printer. That hands-on, problem-solving mindset is exactly what Connect Labs was built for.

As laboratory operations lead, Shannon supports tenant companies across wet and dry lab startup spaces, helping ensure they have the infrastructure, equipment and operational support they need to stay focused on discovery and building. From onboarding new companies and coordinating lab resources to training others in the makerspace, no two days look the same.

A scientist by trade with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, Shannon specializes in virology and brings deep experience from her previous work in high-containment RNA virus research. She was drawn to Connect Labs Charlotte for the collaborative, community-driven environment – and now plays a key role in shaping that culture every day.

Located at The Pearl and developed by Wexford Science & Technology, Connect Labs Charlotte offers flexible, scale-in-place lab space and shared innovation infrastructure designed to help emerging companies turn ideas into impact.

Read more about Shannon’s journey and how she helps power the innovation happening at The Pearl: https://bit.ly/4822o1V

03/24/2026

IRCAD North America is raising the bar for surgical innovation at The Pearl.

IRCAD North America is a world-class surgical training and research center and an international hub for medical innovation. As part of the IRCAD global network, the facility brings state-of-the-art technology, international faculty expertise and hands-on training to surgeons and health care professionals across the world.

Its strategic collaborations with leading industry partners, institutions and professional societies drive meaningful advancements in health care and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

We’re proud to have this global center of excellence right here at The Pearl as it shapes the future of surgical education and medical innovation.

03/19/2026

03/18/2026

We’re proud to have Carolinas College of Health Sciences right here within The Pearl.

These students bring energy, curiosity and commitment as they learn and prepare to become the health care professionals our community depends on. This is in addition to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte campus, which also calls The Pearl home and strengthens our growing academic community.

Here’s to the next generation making their mark.

03/11/2026

At The Forum at The Pearl, the Tree of Life stands at the center — a powerful reminder that this space was designed to bring people together and grow community.

03/08/2026

The Purposeful Walk is making its way across Charlotte. 👣

This traveling exhibit began its journey at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, where it served as a self-guided experience in honor of Black History Month, coinciding with early voting.

The exhibit has now moved to University City Regional Library, where it will remain through March 16. Guests are invited to explore the experience at their own pace, and on March 14 from 10 AM–12 PM, Brooklyn natives will be onsite sharing personal stories and lived experiences.

The final stop will be SouthPark Regional Library from March 16–April 2, with a special community gathering in development.

While visiting the library stops, take a moment to complete the activity sheet reflecting on The Purposeful Walk and how honoring our roots shapes innovation and community.

The Purposeful Walk reconnects Charlotte’s historic Brooklyn community to its cultural roots through storytelling panels, art installations and a living museum experience. We’re proud to see this meaningful experience moving throughout our community, creating space for reflection, storytelling and connection at every stop.

03/04/2026

Some of the best moments at The Pearl happen by chance — usually over coffee in the Assembly. ☕️ Tell us your favorite connection you've made in this space. ⬇️

02/24/2026

People of The Pearl💡 A role where no two days look the same, and that’s exactly the point!

Meet Kate Burgess, The Pearl’s district programming and ecosystem development manager and the connector behind the scenes. From sparking “serendipitous collisions” between academic, industry, and executive partners to building experiences shaped by her walk‑on mentality, Kate helps cultivate a district that’s evolving in real time.

Burgess’ work is a reminder that ecosystems don’t grow by accident, they grow when people show up, connect, and build together.

👉 Meet Kate in our People of The Pearl series. https://bit.ly/4r0GL93

02/20/2026

The Pearl welcomed the Charlotte community and over 30 local artists for an incredible evening at Community Threads, a public art exhibit presented by ArtPop Street Gallery in partnership with Connect Labs Charlotte.

This inspiring showcase brought together vibrant creativity and powerful storytelling from across our community—all within the innovative walls of The Pearl.

Talented local artists filled the space with works that explore human health, nature, beauty and the endless possibilities of imagination. Each creative piece offers a unique perspective on how art can spark optimism and shape the way we see the world around us.

We are proud to create spaces that drive community, innovation and collaboration—not only in science and medicine, but also in art.

A heartfelt thank‑you to ArtPop and Wexford for partnering with us to bring such an uplifting and meaningful experience to The Pearl.

Together, we celebrate the innovators, creators and visionaries who make our community thrive.