Insights

Accelerate Spotlight – Jenn Summe of Primordial Ventures

Jenn Summe, Managing Partner at Primordial Ventures and active member of the CED community, is a passionate advocate for the Triangle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through her work investing in early-stage tech startups and her involvement with CED, Jenn has seen firsthand how the organization empowers founders and fosters meaningful connections.

Her journey with CED began with a recommendation to connect with Hunter Young. Not long after, Jenn attended Venture Connect, an experience that exceeded her expectations. “It was a great event,” she shared. “It’s where I found founders to invest in and built meaningful relationships.” Among her portfolio today are companies she first encountered at that conference, demonstrating how CED’s events serve as a launchpad for success.

CED programs like Connect to Capital and GRO have also played a key role in Jenn’s involvement. While her fund typically invests at a later stage than GRO supports, Jenn values the program for helping her identify promising founders early and maintaining relationships with them over time. She also recognizes CED’s broader mission of leveling the playing field, saying, “Good founders can come from anywhere—they don’t all have to come out of Silicon Valley.”

One of Jenn’s proudest CED moments came at Venture Connect, where five of her ten portfolio companies presented. She rallied everyone for a group photo at lunch, capturing a moment of community and support. Despite not enjoying public speaking, she also presented at the event, successfully pushing herself out of her comfort zone.

Looking ahead, Jenn envisions CED continuing to grow its support for underserved communities and creating focused events like the Strength in Numbers initiative. She highlights the importance of actively supporting founders from all backgrounds, recognizing that the Triangle is home to an incredible diversity of talent and ideas. Jenn believes that organizing more targeted, focused events can provide tailored support and resources for founders, helping them navigate the unique challenges they face.

Her advice for founders? “Engage with CED. Every team member is a wonderful human being—kind, supportive, and always willing to help. They’ll go above and beyond to make sure you feel empowered and connected.”