Insights

Plus New Opportunities for Meaningful Connections at this year’s VC25 Summit.

RTP, NC, February 27, 2025 – The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) announced the innovative companies selected to present at Venture Connect 2025. The event is set to take place on March 25–27 at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 2025 cohort of companies exemplifies advancements within the Tech and Biotech sectors, with 103 selected companies slated to present at the Summit. These companies, chosen after a thorough review by CED’s external selection committee, will showcase their ventures before an audience of investors, sponsors, and fellow entrepreneurs. Venture Connect offers these entrepreneurs significant brand exposure within one of the nation’s most rapidly evolving ecosystems.

View the full lineup of 2025 Presenting Companies, and explore our interactive directory here.

“We’re always excited to see the incredible growth happening in our region each year,” says Hunter Young, CED’s Head of Capital. “With so many outstanding applications, narrowing it down to 103 companies was no easy task. The chosen companies genuinely showcase the forefront of innovation in Tech and Biotech, and we always look forward to this summit to provide them with a platform to connect, collaborate, and showcase their innovation at Venture Connect 2025.”

A selection committee, comprising active angel investors, local and regional venture capital firms, as well as community and corporate partners, meticulously reviewed all applications to select the top presenting companies.

Additionally, attendees can explore an interactive directory featuring the companies, founders, and operators who will take the stage at Venture Connect 2025, offering deeper insights into the innovative minds driving growth in the Southeast.

New This Year at Venture Connect 2025

• The Founder Lounge – A dedicated space for high-growth founders to connect with seasoned entrepreneurs who have navigated the challenges of scaling a startup. This space fosters meaningful conversations and mentorship among founders at various stages.

• Investor Tables – A designated meeting area where venture funds and investors can engage directly with startups. These limited-availability tables provide a structured yet informal setting for valuable connections between investors and entrepreneurs.

Visit our site here for event details, agenda, and tickets. 

Members of the press interested in featuring these companies can contact CED to connect with the appropriate media contact. Media inquiries can be directed to Katelin Wheeler at kwheeler@cednc.org.

About CED’s Venture Connect

Venture Connect is a summit that brings together groundbreaking companies from the Biotech and Technology communities alongside top investors from across the U.S., standing as a testament to the robustness of our tech and life science ecosystems. CED invites you to support entrepreneurs and seasoned experts as they join forces with investors and stakeholders for three days of unparalleled content and connections at Venture Connect 2025.

About CED (Center for Entrepreneurial Development)

The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) was formed in 1984 by a group of business leaders aiming to empower the successful creation and growth of entrepreneurial companies in the North Carolina region. CED acts as the connective center for all of this to happen. Through high-touch support, education, access to capital, and crucial connections, CED brings entrepreneurs together with the optimal resources needed to turn a new company into a success story.