how CED supports early stage companies

We have a proven track record in supporting companies at the most critical time. Our outcomes are based on our ability to deliver effective education while engaging a powerful network of experts to assist along the way. GRO, an incubator by CED leverages a network of experts that have been cultivated over the years to help your venture take off. Cohort companies will attend weekly classes delivered by top-notch speakers, receive 1:1 coaching from industry leaders and entrepreneurs, and complete assignments to help launch their venture.

“I can sum it up in three letters. WOW! GRO was the best spent weeks in the life of Active Defender.” – Jim Boyte, Active Defender Founder/CEO

12 Weeks | 24 Sessions | A game-changing experience

The secret sauce to our success is the culmination of forty years of expertise held within the CED Network. These are coaches, successful entrepreneurs, and domain experts dedicated to giving back and paying it forward to early entrepreneurs just starting their journey. In a sense, the CED Alumni Network reengaged to teach, share and support the incoming freshman class. And there is no one else in North Carolina better positioned to bring together this experience.

“Our coach was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. He dispensed his advice and suggestions in a professional yet caring manner, leading us to make discoveries by guiding our thought process.” – Dominique & Serge Mouthon, Clever Education Solutions


what to expect

Each cohort is capped at 15 companies in order to create an effective learning environment and promote cohesion among participants. The cohorts meet for two sessions each week. The first session delivers the content for a week in an interactive format by subject matter experts.  The second session is a working session where content is applied to each venture in tandem with their matched coaches. Group share is prioritized weekly to promote healthy feedback and build on strengthening relationships within the cohort of companies. At the end of the program, each company will make a pitch to the community with their unique ask for support. 


how to apply

Choosing the best investment for your company at such a critical juncture is never an easy decision. We ask that all participants wholly commit to the program and prioritize the work. We do not ask for equity. Your investment is $950*, which includes access to the knowledge you need, entrepreneurs who will be long-term supporters, and the coaches you need to make progress.

Applications for GRO8 are now closed. They will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of industry experts. Companies will be notified of their selection by August 2nd and announced publicly once the program begins later that month.

Interested in applying for our next cohort?


If you are interested in providing a company scholarship, you can make a donation here.

explore other areas of support

 > Company Support

 > Connect to Capital

meet our GRO Companies

Active Defender

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

Aktiga

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Benevolist

Spring 2024 Cohort

Carpool.School

Fall 2023 Cohort

Celestic

Spring 2024 Cohort

Clever Education

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

Cosmic Eats

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Crest Digital Therapeutics

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

DataCrunch Lab

Spring 2021 Cohort

DiffyQ

Fall 2023 Cohort

EMF Disturbance Monitors

Fall 2023 Cohort

eParamus

Spring 2021 Cohort

Epistamai

Spring 2024 Cohort

Equity Shift

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

Flux Hybrids

Spring 2021 Cohort

Ghost Delivery

Fall 2020 Cohort

Givefinity

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

Growterra

Fall 2023 Cohort

GXPaaS

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Hadiya

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

HLRobin

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

IMAMA

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

IngateyGen

Spring 2024 Cohort

IQ Everest

Spring 2021 Cohort

IrNex

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

IX Studio

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Jobvious

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Kimia Bazaar

Fall 2023 Cohort

LabRunner

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

Let Each Speak

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

Mycologics

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

NextGen Interactions

Spring 2024 Cohort

OraBiotech

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

Oracon Technologies

Spring 2024 Cohort

Pathstitch

Spring 2024 Cohort

Rachit

Fall 2020 Cohort

Rbundle

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Revware

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

rXperius

Fall 2020 Cohort

Secmation

Fall 2020 Cohort

Selsym Biotech

Spring 2022 Life Science Cohort

SnapPicFix

Fall 2020 Cohort

Social Cascade

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

Softsellr

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

Solib Solutions

Spring 2023 Tech Cohort

Spidernow

Fall 2023 Cohort

Sunder Networks

Fall 2020 Cohort

Teach Base

Fall 2023 Cohort

Texture Tech

Spring 2024 Cohort

Theralinq

Spring 2024 Cohort

THRYV

Spring 2024 Cohort

Top10Easy

Spring 2021 Cohort

Truentity

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

TruPacta

Spring 2024 Cohort

Vitae Bio

Spring 2024 Cohort

Washington’s Hammer

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

WikiELN

Spring 2024 Cohort

Wyndscreen

Fall 2022 Tech Cohort

YouEmbark

Fall 2020 Tech Cohort

Zymeron

Spring 2024 Cohort