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Starting a new business can be overwhelming, but the Research Triangle—encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill—offers an ideal environment to help you take the first step. With a thriving tech scene and prestigious academic institutions, the Triangle area provides a robust support network for startups. Just last year, Raleigh was ranked as the best place to start a small business, with Durham (including Chapel Hill) also making the top three.
Home to over 300 tech, research, and agricultural-biology companies, the Research Triangle Park employs more than 60,000 people, making it a competitive landscape. To help you navigate this vibrant ecosystem, we've put together this Startup Resources Guide. Divided into five categories—Coworking Spaces, News Publications, Local Accelerators, Grants, and Events—this guide will connect you to the best resources, helping you transform your innovative ideas into reality.
A coworking space is more than just a desk and unlimited coffee—it's a dynamic community where startups can foster innovation and build crucial connections. The Triangle area boasts an array of chic, modern, and unique coworking spaces that not only provide office environments but also host entrepreneurship events, job boards, and programs tailored for startups.
Located in the heart of downtown Durham, the American Underground (AU) began in 2010 and now houses a diverse community of startups and entrepreneurs in the Triangle area. With over 52 percent of AU-based companies led by women or people of color and more than $500 million raised in funding since 2014, AU's impact is clear. The AU provides ample office space and rooms available for rent on an hourly or daily basis. They post job listings, host and promote events, and have developed various programs to help companies build their ideas and amplify their voices.
Raleigh Founded has four (soon to be five) unique spaces throughout the Raleigh area. Established to help entrepreneurs receive resources and connections, Raleigh Founded continues to provide invaluable support for building successful businesses. They also post unique job opportunities on their Startup Career Hub and host local events, including a free Coworking Day and Summer Career Fair.
With two locations in Raleigh and one in Wake Forest, the Loading Dock’s specialty is the term coined as “co-warehousing”. Their large facilities provide monthly rental spaces ideal for companies needing scalable resources. Perfect for e-commerce or online retail startups, the Loading Dock offers 24/7 access to its coworking spaces with a co-warehouse membership. They also rent out their extensive facilities for events and are committed to volunteerism and supporting the local nonprofit community.
While AU, Raleigh Founded, and the Loading Dock offer ample space, resources, and events, there are many other coworking spaces in the Triangle area. Explore a new co-warehousing option by Blue Co., the brainchild of Raleigh Founded’s CEO, that provides parking and laydown areas, warehouse space, and professional offices tailored for service-based companies. For a classic, open, and bright environment, visit The Commons on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. The Nest Raleigh, just two blocks away, is another great option with modern rooms and office suites.
Additionally, don't forget the big players in coworking, such as WeWork and Industrious. WeWork has locations in both Raleigh and Durham, while Industrious is conveniently close to The Nest. Although these big players don’t offer the same local feel and intimate space as the others, they are still worth a mention as any space where you can network is a great place to start.
Discover and subscribe to some of the top local newsletters for startups in the Triangle area. Each publication offers a unique perspective and niche focus, all dedicated to supporting the startup community. Whether you prefer a daily newsletter, focused updates on specific companies, or news delivered through podcasts and videos, you'll be sure to find something that suits your preferences.
Established to showcase the area's tech community, GrepBeat offers a bi-weekly newsletter, along with podcasts, videos, and event promotions on their website. Through these mediums, GrepBeat tells the stories of the Triangle's innovative entrepreneurs and tech startups. On their quirky website, you can find everything from "Mildly Breaking News" to various shows and podcasts, local job listings, and even their coveted yearly list of "Startups to Watch." GrepBeat also boasts an annual event for early stage tech companies called Grep-a-Palooza.
The Tweener Fund invests in startups, helping them to scale and grow their business in the Triangle area. To date, the Tweener Fund has invested over $3.5 million in 58 different companies. These Triangle area companies are showcased on the Tweener Fund’s website, and you can stay updated on their progress and more startup news by subscribing to the Triangle Tweeners newsletter.
This publication covers technology news in the Triangle region. From biotech and life sciences to venture funding and real estate, WRAL Techwire doesn’t miss a beat. Their daily newsletter keeps you informed about startup news, including funding updates and practical advice on getting your business off the ground. Additionally, WRAL Techwire hosts a calendar of events, a jobs section, and features highlighting outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs, and employees based on public nominations.
Another amazing perk of the Triangle area is the wealth of university resources available for up-and-coming startup companies. Universities like NC State, UNC, and Duke offer coveted accelerator programs to get your company up and running. Beyond the university sphere, we've also included other well-known accelerator programs that can make all the difference for your startup.
The Andrews Launch Accelerator program at NC State provides funding, resources, and guidance to help students or recent graduates jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey. The 14-week summer program covers key entrepreneurial topics and culminates with the opportunity to pitch ideas to top investors in the area. At NC State’s SKEMA Business School, the Venture Factory is another incubator accelerator that develops students' entrepreneurship skills through an 18-month program of bootcamps, workshops, and practical experience.
UNC’s Launch Chapel Hill is open to both university and non-university students. It runs for 10 weeks during the summer, exclusively for undergraduate and graduate students, and is open to any entrepreneur during the spring and fall semesters. This accelerator program provides startups with office space, mentorship, tech resources, and more. It helps startups learn how to secure funding and teaches the ins and outs of becoming a sustainable enterprise. Since its inception in 2013, Launch Chapel Hill has accepted over 197 ventures. Last year alone the program generated $99.3 million in revenue from alumni companies.
At Duke, the BRiDGE incubator program helps students, alumni, and faculty launch their startup ideas with collaborative technology and strategic partnerships. BRiDGE offers a structured curriculum, access to Duke's extensive network of mentors and investors, and opportunities to showcase progress and attract further investment. Past BRiDGE startups range from companies developing clean water solutions to cancer prevention and 3D scanning.
RIoT’s 12-week Startup Accelerator Program connects businesses with over 90 different companies primarily across the IoT technology field to help bring their products to market. The program fosters entrepreneurial partnerships through a mix of workshops and company mentorship sessions. A great option for early startups, the program generally focuses on pre-revenue companies that are beginning to attract early customers. In just three years, RIoT has supported 40 companies that have collectively raised over $275 million.
The CED GRO Incubator program is designed to support early-stage companies by bringing together a network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts to provide coaching and guidance. Over a 12-week period, the cohort of startups receive intensive mentorship sessions and collaborate in small groups, culminating in a final pitch event. The program aims to help startups refine their business strategies, develop scalable models, and prepare for growth and funding opportunities.
Grants empower startups to test new ideas, expand operations, and contribute to the local economy. Below are some prominent grants designed for startups in the Raleigh area.
The Impact Partner Grant is a City of Raleigh initiative that provides funding to startups, non-profits, social enterprises, or universities that address community needs, enhance the quality of life for residents, and foster inclusive innovation in the city. It supports original initiatives across various sectors, including IoT, biotechnology, health and human services, arts and culture, education, and environmental sustainability. Funding ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 for each Impact Partner organization.
This grant provides $10,000 in funding to young companies to advance their ideas and attract investors. Awarded to companies that have an innovative product or business model, the NC IDEA MICRO grant also provides mentorship and access to a network of entrepreneurs and resources. Grant recipients are expected to be working on a proof of concept and should be prepared to utilize the funding to move to their next development stage. If your startup has already demonstrated a proof of concept and is ready to scale for institutional investment, then you may be better suited for the NC IDEA SEED grant.
There are many events in the Triangle area that offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning, and growth. While you might not be able to attend all of them, any of these conferences, summits, and workshops will help connect you with industry leaders and foster innovative solutions for your startup.
Split between two days in Durham and two days in Raleigh, this annual event brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders. In April, over 1,600 participants gather to hear from over 90 influential speakers, attend workshops, and make valuable connections. Hosted at the American Underground and Raleigh Founded, the Raleigh-Durham Startup Week is a prime opportunity for anyone looking to launch or grow their business in the Triangle region.
The Venture Connect Summit provides an opportunity for tech and biotech companies to pitch their scaling plans to a room full of investors, potential partners, customers, and employees. Over two days, approximately 125 companies pitch their ideas. Attendees also have the opportunity to connect and schedule meetings with the companies up to two weeks before the event. It’s a fantastic opportunity for startups to attend and network with scaling ventures.
Now in its sixth year, the NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit brings together diverse leaders to discuss continued support for startups and entrepreneurs, fostering the Triangle area as an excellent community to grow businesses. The event features dynamic speakers, panels, and networking opportunities designed to inspire innovation and collaboration. Attendees gain valuable insights into the latest trends, best practices, and available resources that support startup success across the region.
The ATO Conference is the largest open-source, tech, and web event on the East Coast. Focusing on the intersection of open-source technology and community, ATO brings together a diverse group of technologists, developers, and thought leaders from around the globe. Attendees can explore the latest advancements and trends in open-source software, learn from industry experts, and collaborate on innovative projects. It is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about open-source technology.
Raleigh and the Triangle area offer a dynamic ecosystem for startups to thrive. From innovative coworking spaces to local accelerators, grants, newsletters, and events, you have access to a wealth of resources to support your journey. The blend of innovation, connectivity, and support makes the Triangle area a prime location for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
If you’re interested in developing a mobile application for your startup, and want to learn more about how to get started, check out The Lithios Mobile App Roadmap.
Have questions or need help getting connected to the right resources? Contact us and let us know – we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.
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