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The Innovation Economy
Needs Students.

North Carolina is home to 130 degree-granting colleges and universities that are inspiring and training the future leaders our innovation economy needs to thrive. At CED, we’re actively investing in these students, offering early exposure to our startup ecosystem and network of high-growth technology companies. Students can gain hands-on experience through our Startup TNT Program or full calendar of volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

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Startup TNT

Do you dream of starting your own technology company? Are you energized by the pace and possibilities
of life in a startup? Or are you curious about the startup ecosystem in the Triangle? 

We’re invested in the next wave of talent seeking roles at premier, high growth startups in our region. We launched our Startup TNT Program to offer students an opportunity to join us as paid associates for 12 weeks. You’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience, as you get an exclusive look at the startup process and support the work we’re doing across the Triangle.

Program Overview

In our Startup TNT program, you’ll learn how startups tick, what they need to survive and the functional areas of a business. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in school to the daily operations of a fast-paced non-profit organization operating in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our CED Alumni – former associates, contract and full-time employees – are deeply rooted across the startup ecosystem and continue to contribute to growing startups in our region. You’ll learn from them, as well as business leaders throughout our thriving ecosystem.


Focus Areas & Tracks

We offer 5 associate types within our Startup TNT program – Rotational, Finance/Sales, Marketing, GRO Incubator, and Startup Programs. CED is a hybrid team and we prioritize in-person hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays when we are all in the office. We ask that you are available 10 hours per week on a hybrid on-site/remote basis, with Tuesday and Thursday being prioritized.


Application Details

This program is available in three terms – fall, spring, and summer. Spring 2025 applications are now open through Monday, December 16, 2024.

CED currently has partnerships with Duke University and NC Central University but plans to expand this program to other schools. If you are interested in making a donation to scale this program, you can reach out to Kelly Rowell, krowell@cednc.org, or make a donation online.

Read about the inaugural cohort with Duke University here and our program expansion here.


Student Testimonials

Hear from the students who have completed our Associate program.

I applied for the Associate Program because I was looking for a real-world application for what we were learning.
Jenna headshot
Jenna Houchins
Sr. Associate | 2024
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Volunteer at CED

Our student volunteers help power our programs and events throughout the year. In return, they gain the experience they’ll need when they enter the workforce and impact our innovation economy as leaders.

We host several large community programs that are powered by a dedicated group of volunteers, including:

Venture Connect is our largest event, hosting over 1200 people over two days. The community comes together to support over 150 companies that pitch live on stage, sharing stories about the organizations they’re building.

GRO Demo Day is held two to three times a year to celebrate the accomplishments of our latest GRO Incubator cohort. 

Investor Fly-in is an event offered exclusively for investors that offers an environment primed for syndication with regional investors and a handful of scaling companies sharing their current milestones.

Impact Luncheon is an annual invite-only gathering where we share an update on how our partners’ investment in CED is impacting emerging companies in the region.

Additionally, we host a variety of meet-ups throughout the year that also require volunteer support. 

Interested in volunteering?

Submit Volunteer Interest Form

CONNECT with the CED community now

Discover how you can serve within our powerful startup ecosystem. Reach out today.