partners make an annual investment to sustain CEDā€™s impact 

CED operates as a two-sided marketplace and is funded through the investments of its partners. With these investments, we are able to provide support to over 200 companies annually by hosting educational workshops, facilitating a robust mentoring program and providing one-on-one consulting directly to each company.  And guess what? We engage our network of partners to achieve it all! 

As a CED partner, you not only help to sustain CED, but you drive our mission forward — connecting entrepreneurial companies with the resources that will accelerate their growth. We put your expertise to work supporting companies that are growing and scaling in our region. 

partner

understanding the difference between partnership levels

Being a partner has its perks. Depending on the level of investment you choose, you will have the opportunity to share quality content through our communication channels, attend specialized events and programs, and gain access to CEDā€™s Venture Connect Summit.

As a Premium Partner you will enjoy:

  • One Executive profile featured on CEDā€™s online directory with links to bios
  • One seat on the CED Advisory Board
  • Opportunity to sponsor network meetups and other CED events
  • One ticket to Venture Connect
  • Provide partner updates as featured content in CEDā€™s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
  • Submit guest blog posts for consideration
  • Access to four network meetups
  • Access to four partner workshops

CED’s Premium Partners invest $3,500 annually.Ā 

As a Strategic Partner, you will have the opportunity to share quality content through our communication channels, attend specialized events and programs, gain access to CEDā€™s Venture Connect Summit and have the opportunity to cultivate meaningful business relationships through CEDā€™s network.

Strategic Partners receive all premium benefits, plus:

  • Two Executive profiles are featured on CEDā€™s online directory with links to bios
  • Two seats on the CED Advisory Board
  • Opportunity to sponsor network meetups and other CED events
  • Four tickets to the Venture Connect Summit
  • Provide partner updates as featured content in CEDā€™s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
  • Option to participate in CEDā€™s pitch scrubs
  • Submit guest blog posts for consideration
  • Access to four network meetups
  • Access to four partner workshops

CED’s Strategic Partners invest $7,000 annually.

The Executive Partnership is designed to provide our partners with the ability to directly impact the entrepreneurial companies in our network with mutually beneficial engagement. Through skilled volunteerism and value-added educational workshops, emerging companies in the CED network will benefit from our corporate partnersā€™ expertise. Additionally, this partnership can provide our corporate partners with exposure to entrepreneurial ideas that can help solve their own product or management problems, provide exposure to entrepreneurial culture, have the opportunity to be a beta customer for one of our startups, and identify new ways of operating. The Executive Level Annual Partnership can help your company to develop meaningful and impactful relationships with local start-ups.

Additional partnership perks include:

  • Four Executive profiles featured on CEDā€™s online directory with links to bios
  • Four seats on the CED Advisory Board
  • Opportunity to sponsor network meetups and other CED events
  • Six tickets to the Venture Connect Summit
  • Provide partner updates as featured content in CEDā€™s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
  • Option to participate in CEDā€™s pitch scrubs
  • Submit guest blog posts for consideration
  • Access to four exclusive briefings with featured entrepreneurial partner companies
  • Access to four network meetups
  • Access to four partner workshops

CED’s Executive Partners invest $10,000 annually.


  • #StrategicPartner

    CED is the time-tested resource for start-ups, founders, and entrepreneurs in North Carolina looking to turn their vision into a business. By offering resources, coaching, and tools, and by connecting startups with investors, CED fosters the Triangleā€™s successful start-up ecosystem. In my years of serving on the board of CED and as a Strategic Partner, Iā€™ve had the privilege to see CED’s impact firsthand.”

    Matthew Cooke // Partner // Davis Moore

  • #StrategicPartner

    CED is an extraordinary asset to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through their network and events, CED provides invaluable resources for companies to succeed and for our community to thrive.”

    Zack Robbins // VP, Technology Banking // Pacific Western Bank

  • #PremiumPartner

    Navigating the challenging startup terrain can be treacherous for new entrepreneurs, but CED provides fantastic support to help guide startup organizations from idea to investment. Weā€™re proud to partner with them to foster an environment of innovation and progress here in the Triangle.”

    Ben Lake // CPP, CEO & Co-Founder // AtlasHR

  • #StrategicPartner

    I have had the good fortune of working with CED in two roles: previously with a VC-backed startup company showcasing at CED Tech Ventures, and now as a Strategic Partner representing RTI International and our global presence. In both cases, CED has enabled us to partner at an intimate level with the business, entrepreneur and investor community in the Triangle and beyond. From its flagship events, to educational workshops, to networking opportunities, CED continues to lead the way in raising up our entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina.”

    Vinay Tannan // Director of Commercialization // RTI International

  • #StrategicPartner

    CED strives to unite their members and their partners in a way that feels natural to all parties. Everyone is willing to be open about their needs and objectives. Our partnership with CED allows us the opportunity to communicate how we can help with those objectives and provide guidance for their success.”

    Aisha Hasan // Partner // Barnes & Thornburg

is Partnership right for you?

We want to get to know you a little before you make that decision. Please reach out to learn more about CED, learn more about being a CED Partner, and how we can help you become a valuable resource in the Entrepreneurial Community, today.

Let’s Connect

Meet our partners

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