Raleigh Tech Ecosystem Guide
Hi, I’m Jalen and I am the Build In SE Ecosystem Curator for the City of Raleigh. I’m a North Carolina native who has lived in the city of Raleigh for a little over four years. Raleigh has a special place in my heart because it symbolizes an opportunity for growth. Growing up in a smaller town (Winston-Salem) I never imagined that one day I would be at the center of such a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Overview
The Raleigh Startup Ecosystem is nestled in one of the state’s most popular metro-areas; The Triangle (a.k.a. RDU). To many outsiders, the lines are blurred between our ecosystem and Durham; seeing us as one homogeneous body. And while we love our neighbors, Raleigh is adamant about the fact that we have our own identity.
Historically, the city has been known for its universities, low cost of living, and being the state capitol. All three of these have played a critical role in attracting the talent and companies that lifted Raleigh into the realm of prominent startup ecosystems in the Southeast. Now that Raleigh has fully embraced its identity as a hub for innovative companies and innovative people, our focus has shifted toward aggressively establishing our community as one of the prominent startup ecosystems in the country.
Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
- Raleigh VCs and Angels
- Raleigh Startups to Watch
- Raleigh Incubators and Accelerators
- Raleigh Coworking Spaces
- Raleigh Communities
- Raleigh Events and Conferences
- Raleigh Tech Media
Hopefully, you find this guide helpful in your exploration of Raleigh’s tech ecosystem. If I missed something, post a comment as I’ll add ongoing updates.
Raleigh VC
- Cofounders Capital — Started by local start-up veteran, David Gardner, Cofounders Capital specializes in B2B tech companies
- Idea Fund Partners — Known for being one of the most active seed-stage funds in the Southeast, Ideafund is known to invest in Life Science companies but is also open to early-stage tech as well
- Carolina Seed Investors — Seed round investors with a focus on pre-revenue companies and university-based startups
- Inception Micro Angel Fund — Seed investors that are focused on technology companies in the Southeast
- Madison River Ventures — Focused on Triangle-based companies with an e-commerce or SaaS focus
- Bull City Venture Partners- Seed to series A funding for software and internet companies
- Cherokee Investment Partners — Fund focused on acquisition, remediation, and sustainable redevelopment
- Fulcrum Equity Partners — Post-revenue, growth equity fund investing in high-growth SaaS, tech-enabled services, healthcare services, and healthcare IT
- River Cities Capital Funds — Growth equity fund in healthcare and information technology
- Rex Health Ventures — Seed to late-stage fund focused on life science companies
- Excelerate Health Ventures — Seed to early-stage fund focused on healthcare software and tech-enabled healthcare service startups
For a full, updated list of local capital available across the Southeast, check out our Southeast Capital Landscape 2020 created by Build In SE and Embarc Collective, featuring 250+ active VC firms and investment groups.
Accelerators and Incubators
IoT (Internet-of-Things) Startups
a 12-week program that provides a support network for developing companies through corporate innovation and entrepreneurial partnerships. RAP is even more impactful than traditional accelerator programs because it combines partnering startups with an industry of over 75 companies within the IoT value chain.
Veteran Founders
is an accelerator designed to help active-duty military, veterans, and military spouses find the quickest route to success. Bunker focuses on providing veterans with the training, networking, and inspiration they need to start and grow their businesses.
Fintech
is an incubator made up of product managers, designers, developers, and growth hackers to develop new products and find solutions. Fidelity utilizes emerging technology and academic partnerships to create the groundwork for evolving ideas. Through debate, experimentation, and research, Fidelity Labs collaborates on new ideas to improve customer’s financial lives.
Early Stage Tech
an early-stage seed fund and startup accelerator focused on B2B software ventures predominantly in the NC Triangle area. Created in 2015, Cofounders partnered with the Town of Cary to provide free lab space to entrepreneurs who receive expert help modeling and vetting their startup ideas. They help with everything from prototyping and testing value propositions to lining up beta customers.
NC State Alum
is a grant opportunity through NC State for students and recent alumni. They provide up to $50k for early-stage companies, including a 14-week program on entrepreneurial topics.
Inception Stage Startups
is a four-week intensive program designed to help entrepreneurs with a big idea to develop the best strategy to perform successfully in a large or growing market. The program focuses on effective customer delivery, mentorship, and decision making that will propel their business forward.
Coworking Spaces
Raleigh Founded (fka HQ Raleigh):
310 S. Harrington St.
North Carolina’s largest entrepreneurial co-working community fueled to connect emerging problem solvers and change-maker
**Build In SE is proud to partner with Raleigh Founded as a member of the Build In SE Alliance
555 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC
floor-to-ceiling windows, best-in-class amenities, and a warm sense of community, our office is designed to inspire your best work
1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd.
a shared workspace for the creative, freelancer, entrepreneur, and remote professional. We believe strongly that where you work and who you work with is vitally important to the work you do, so we created a workplace where we can work and flourish together unencumbered of the challenges of office space
414 Fayetteville St 4th floor, Raleigh, NC 27601
an independently owned unique co-working space with communal workspace, dedicated desks, private suites, and event space. We are located in the heart of Downtown Raleigh in City Plaza. We are home to companies and people from a wide spectrum of industries including digital marketing, design, A/E, IT, security, HR, real estate, and tech
1 Glenwood Ave #5, Raleigh, NC 27603
a community housed within Glenwood South and the Warehouse District to put your business at the crossroads of creativity and culture. The WeWork building takes advantage of its surroundings and has beautiful custom murals, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an outdoor balcony to keep you refreshed while you work or partake in one of the events WeWork has to offer
Spaces at the Dillon (By Regus):
223 S West St Suite 900 & 1000, Raleigh, NC 27603
be inspired with Spaces creative workspace at The Dillon, situated in downtown Raleigh’s up-and-coming Warehouse District
Conferences and Events
Venture Connect, is a new three-day experience. Recognizing the innovation potential across the Tech & Life Science communities, we are focused on creating an environment that supports stronger connections, valuable programming, and learning for all.
Exploring Data is a new natural resource for companies of all sizes and how it is impacting our lives personally and professionally.
This event brings together coders, designers, entrepreneurs, the public and government to create positive change in the community through the use of open data.
Uniquely brings together the people and organizations who support, encourage and nourish North Carolina’s entrepreneurs to share what is working; address issues and concerns; meet and network with those doing similar work in other communities; and celebrate and promote entrepreneurs and their successes across the state.
Tech Media
Raleigh has 3 leading publications with columnists focused on telling the story of our ecosystem as it happens.
Chantal Allam
Lauren Ohnesorge
Zachary Eanes
Affinity Groups and Communities
Carolina Fintech Hub (Triangle Chapter):
With a unique combination of banks, Fintech startups, and talent, the Carolinas provide a rich ecosystem for companies and individuals looking to build, learn, or grow in the field.
RIoT:
RIoT represents a network of technologists, engineers, business leaders, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, all of whom have a stake in the Internet of Things industry.
help veteran entrepreneurs and military spouses find the quickest route to a successful business.
Round-tables with French talents to exchange about innovation in tech. Events in English — All are welcome!
addresses the issues and needs particular to female founders through content and programming, allowing for peer-to-peer mentorship and networking. NC IDEA SOAR connects female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and scale successfully.
Council for Entrepreneurial Development:
is a not-for-profit organization that cultivates a network of over 400 active companies ranging from successful companies to enterprising start-ups. They provide valuable connections with mentors, investors, corporate partners, and support organizations.
a not-for-profit charitable organization committed to making the region the top center for innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation. They support an active and vibrant community by bringing together key stakeholders within the ecosystem — entrepreneurs, investors, and supporting organizations. Their primary focus is to connect entrepreneurs to three core elements to fuel their growth: funding, talent, and opportunities.
is a not-for-profit that connects innovators in scientific disciplines (Biotechnology, Agriculture, Life Sciences, Nanobiotechnology, and Nanomedicine). NC COIN fosters connections through networking to enable students, startups, and businesses to grow.
helps tech startups with workshops, networking opportunities, and put tech startups onto their website and their newsletter. Tech startups do have to join a membership to get all the benefits provided in this description based primarily on how many NC based employees the company has with prices ranging from $300-$8,500
a not-for-profit business association that supports and builds a thriving regional economy. They offer networking opportunities, promotional opportunities, educational programs, engagement in relevant issues, and other business development services.
Startups to Watch
provides location-based marketing & analytics to help companies reach audiences across mobile apps, digital advertising, and social media
is spearheading a wireless freedom movement to return value and control of the smartphone experience to members by leveraging the power of both WiFi and cellular networks
The world’s leading independent online booking system for tours & attractions. The booking platform has everything needed to sell your tours & experiences.
is at the forefront of real-money skill-gaming. Our app is an arena where trivia players put up cash around the clock to compete in head-to-head, multiplayer, and solo trivia challenges for valuable prizes.
is a social content creation platform that facilitates photo-sharing and social commerce around photo driven brand-engagement campaigns for consumer
a cloud solution to Understand your users with actionable product analytics and qualitative feedback. Guide them to succeed in your product with guides, walkthroughs, and in-app messaging. All without writing a line of code.
works tirelessly to develop solutions that improve life for workers, and improve the bottom line for companies.
equips educators and administrators to manage all aspects of their edtech with a single system to organize, streamline, and analyze all learning.
creates solutions that serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities, enhancing lives by integrating the latest in smart technologies into a single responsive system. Our products enable smarter living environments and healthier lives while fostering family and community engagement.
intuitive workflow management software that fosters stronger collaboration with clients and business stakeholders to streamline each step of your project.
is a B2B plant-based protein product and ingredients company that “uses new, innovative technology to give healthy soy protein the same consistency of traditional meat.”
is the first holistic financial platform for working people. The company’s technology integrates with attendance, payroll, and banking systems to create innovative products that address the core components of financial health.
A groundbreaking technology start-up dedicated to keeping the best of humanity in AI.
An operations management system for collaborative workspaces
provides data on drafts. It accurately tracks beer flowing from taps in real-time to provide bar managers real-time inventory, keg levels, and the ability to control waste and theft.
removes uncertainty from software engineering through an integrated, data-driven approach. Allstacks helps reframe how you make software so you can build standout products, teams, and businesses.
Are you a startup founder, investor, or mentor looking to connect with the Southeast more broadly? Say hello!
