December 16, 2015October 22, 2019 // CED News/Events CED and NC State Partner to Offer Entrepreneurship Mentoring to University Startups DURHAM, NC, December 16, 2015 — The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), the largest and longest-running entrepreneurial network in the nation, today announced a partnership with North Carolina State University’s (NC State) Office of Technology Transfer to provide mentoring services to NC State entrepreneurs. CED will offer selected NC State entrepreneurs access to the diverse network of experts in CED’s Venture Mentoring Service (CED-VMS) program. CED-VMS connects seasoned industry experts with entrepreneurs dealing with the challenges of launching and scaling a tech-driven company. Entrepreneurs typically seek advice on fund raising, go-to-market/commercialization strategies, market validation, recruiting, IP strategy and many other areas where CED-VMS mentors can offer domain expertise and first-hand experience. “We see many of the most exciting, breakthrough technologies start within the walls of our great universities,” said CED President and CEO Joan Siefert Rose. “CED’s mission is to help propel companies to their full potential in North Carolina, and with so many NC State entrepreneurs leading the way in fields such as advanced manufacturing, energy, agriculture and animal health, biomechanics and computer science this partnership is a natural fit.” The new relationship between CED and NC State allows the university to further engage in North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and give their faculty and students the best chance for success. Numerous academic studies show that the greatest impact on the trajectory of breakthrough innovation companies is a connection to effective mentors. “We have been impressed with the depth of experience of the CED-VMS mentors and are committed to providing our startup companies access to this great resource here in the Triangle as companies launch, grow and scale,” said, Kelly Sexton, Director, Office of Technology Transfer at NC State. “We have long supported our companies participating in the CED Life Science and Tech Venture conferences, and this new area of collaboration offers NC State based companies new ways to leverage CED’s network; they are truly a tremendous asset for our community.” As a compliment to the CED-VMS mentoring services, the Memorandum of Understanding signed today provides space for CED events on Centennial Campus and creates opportunities for collaboration on marketing initiatives. CED’s extensive network of mentors, investors, experts and companies will also have an inside view to the innovation, research and talent being produced by NC State. “We have an amazing infrastructure to nurture entrepreneurship in our state, and this alignment between CED and North Carolina State University makes it that much stronger,” said Rose. About CED CED is the largest and longest-running network for entrepreneurs in the country. CED’s network propels emerging Triangle companies into highly successful businesses. Members include a wide range of startup and growth stage companies, investors, corporate partners, academics, service providers, and individuals interested in benefiting from CED’s powerfully connected network. Read more at http://www.cednc.org. About NC State & the Office of Technology Transfer North Carolina State University is a research powerhouse and a powerful economic engine for North Carolina. As a research-extensive land-grant university, NC State is dedicated to excellent teaching, the creation and application of knowledge, and engagement with public and private partners. The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) supports this mission by moving research discoveries from the lab to the marketplace through licensing and startup company formation. Read more at http://ncsu.edu http://research.ncsu.edu/ott