Announcing the Fall 2025 Startup TNT Associate Cohort!
We’re thrilled to welcome eight new Startup TNT Associates to the CED team this fall! From diverse universities across the Triangle, these talented students are beginning a paid experience designed to span 12 weeks—with some piloting extended 1-year roles to deepen their learning and impact with CED.
Startup TNT offers hands‑on learning across several track options—Rotational (with multiple Associates rotating through departments), Finance & Investor Relations, Marketing, and two GRO Incubator roles: one supporting the program side, and a new GRO Incubator Extern role working directly with our GRO Incubator startups.
Associates contribute 10 hours/week starting in late August through mid-November. Some will continue in their roles through the spring 2026 semester as part of the yearlong pilot. The program operates in a hybrid model, with Tuesdays and Thursdays in the office.
We can’t wait to see how this cohort shapes their professional journey—and ours—through their energy, creativity, and dedication.
Why This Cohort Matters
- Diversity of backgrounds & perspectives: Like past cohorts, this group brings students from multiple Triangle institutions and disciplines—from Duke and Meredith College to NC Central and NC State.
- Strengthened university partnerships: We’re also thrilled to expand our university partnerships: Duke has supported Startup TNT since day one, we’ve continued to deepen our collaboration with NC Central, and this fall we welcome our newest partner, Meredith College. These institutions help champion the program on campus and play a key role in recruiting and vetting students.
- Real-world exposure: Through their tracks, Associates gain meaningful exposure to core areas of the entrepreneurial ecosystem—including startups,business development, investor relations, marketing, and program operations. This cross-functional experience allows them to contribute to high-impact CED initiatives like Venture Connect, the GRO Incubator, and the Venture Report, while building adaptable skills that serve them far beyond the program.
A meaningful mentorship network: Creating space for both student growth and impact, past Associates have shared how working at CED enriched their professional confidence and strengthened their sense of belonging in the Triangle’s startup community.
Stay Connected
Later this fall, we’ll share updates on projects the cohort is working on and reflections from the team. Want to learn more about the Startup TNT Program or meet the cohort? Feel free to reach out—or students can join our interest list to be the first to know when applications open for spring 2026.
Save the Date: Startup TNT Graduation is happening on November 20, 2025!
Thinking about how you or your organization can support this work?
“Startups need 3 things: Customers, Capital, and Talent – this is CED’s solution for early talent pipeline. If you’re motivated by making sure that we have a diverse pool of early talent that starts here and stays here in the region, we’d love to talk to you about investment options.”
– Kelly Rowell
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome this inspiring group into the CED family and look forward to growing together!
