Insights

My introduction to CED came this past March at Venture Connect, where I volunteered as a student after a recommendation from Jenna Houchins, a Startup TNT Associate in fall 2023 and Senior Associate in spring 2024. While I only spent a few hours working at the registration booth (a role I’ve come to appreciate as the best vantage point), I left deeply impressed and inspired by the caliber of attendees and the sheer energy that filled three packed days. It almost felt like I could sense the overall passion and commitment to building and supporting ventures in the building’s air. That brief experience left me curious about CED’s broader work and convinced that I needed to apply for the Startup TNT Program to fully explore that curiosity.

Fast forward nearly four months, and I can confidently say my intuition about the program was spot-on. Through previous internships with NC IDEA and Cofounders Capital, I gained valuable insights into North Carolina’s capital landscape. However, my time at CED has felt like the final “piece of the puzzle.” Witnessing CED’s transformative impact on founders—providing them with resources that catalyze their ventures and drive innovation in the tech and biotech sectors—has only deepened my original passion for entrepreneurship and its potential to create meaningful change in our growing community.

Witnessing CED’s transformative impact on founders—providing them with resources that catalyze their ventures and drive innovation in the tech and biotech sectors—has only deepened my original passion for entrepreneurship and its potential to create meaningful change in our growing community.

I’ve also greatly enjoyed coming into the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and collaborating with CED’s exceptional team, each of whom excels in their individual roles. As a Rotational Associate, I’ve had the honor of working closely with every team member, gaining a holistic understanding of how their individual efforts contribute to the organization’s mission and non-profit operations. Projects like refining investor databases, restructuring the board, identifying sponsorship prospects, and revamping the Power Lunch initiative have equipped me with a diverse range of unique skills and knowledge I’m certain I’ll carry forward in my career.

Finally, it’s been a privilege to intern during such a special milestone—CED’s 40th Birthday Bash. Witnessing the celebration, which brought together those positively impacted by CED and its long-standing champions, was a powerful reminder of the vibrant networks that continue to thrive. Returning to the registration booth during the event, I enjoyed hearing firsthand from attendees about their personal connections to CED and the ecosystem it has fostered over the years.

Overall, this experience, alongside a talented and diverse cohort of Associates, has been one I’ll cherish for a long time. When students and peers ask me how to get involved in North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, my answer will undoubtedly be this program, it’s a truly transformative opportunity!

Arya Ranjan is a student at UNC Chapel Hill pursuing a Business Administration major and minors in Data Science and Entrepreneurship. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2026.