partners make an annual investment to sustain CED’s impact
CED operates as a two-sided marketplace and is funded through the investments of its partners. With these investments, we are able to provide support to over 200 companies annually by hosting educational workshops, facilitating a robust mentoring program and providing one-on-one consulting directly to each company. And guess what? We engage our network of partners to achieve it all!
As a CED partner, you not only help to sustain CED, but you drive our mission forward — connecting entrepreneurial companies with the resources that will accelerate their growth. We put your expertise to work supporting companies that are growing and scaling in our region.
understanding the difference between partnership levels
Being a partner has its perks. Depending on the level of investment you choose, you will have the opportunity to share quality content through our communication channels, attend specialized events and programs, and gain access to CED’s Venture Connect Summit.
Provide partner updates as featured content in CED’s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
Submit guest blog posts for consideration
Access to four network meetups
Access to four partner workshops
CED’s Premium Partners invest $3,500 annually.
As a Strategic Partner, you will have the opportunity to share quality content through our communication channels, attend specialized events and programs, gain access to CED’s Venture Connect Summit and have the opportunity to cultivate meaningful business relationships through CED’s network.
Strategic Partners receive all premium benefits, plus:
Two Executive profiles are featured on CED’s online directory with links to bios
Two seats on the CED Advisory Board
Opportunity to sponsor network meetups and other CED events
Four tickets to the Venture Connect Summit
Provide partner updates as featured content in CED’s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
Option to participate in CED’s pitch scrubs
Submit guest blog posts for consideration
Access to four network meetups
Access to four partner workshops
CED’s Strategic Partners invest $7,000 annually.
The Executive Partnership is designed to provide our partners with the ability to directly impact the entrepreneurial companies in our network with mutually beneficial engagement. Through skilled volunteerism and value-added educational workshops, emerging companies in the CED network will benefit from our corporate partners’ expertise. Additionally, this partnership can provide our corporate partners with exposure to entrepreneurial ideas that can help solve their own product or management problems, provide exposure to entrepreneurial culture, have the opportunity to be a beta customer for one of our startups, and identify new ways of operating. The Executive Level Annual Partnership can help your company to develop meaningful and impactful relationships with local start-ups.
Additional partnership perks include:
Four Executive profiles featured on CED’s online directory with links to bios
Four seats on the CED Advisory Board
Opportunity to sponsor network meetups and other CED events
Provide partner updates as featured content in CED’s Newsletter, sent bi-monthly
Option to participate in CED’s pitch scrubs
Submit guest blog posts for consideration
Access to four exclusive briefings with featured entrepreneurial partner companies
Access to four network meetups
Access to four partner workshops
CED’s Executive Partners invest $10,000 annually.
#StrategicPartner
CED is the time-tested resource for start-ups, founders, and entrepreneurs in North Carolina looking to turn their vision into a business. By offering resources, coaching, and tools, and by connecting startups with investors, CED fosters the Triangle’s successful start-up ecosystem. In my years of serving on the board of CED and as a Strategic Partner, I’ve had the privilege to see CED’s impact firsthand.”
Matthew Cooke // Partner // Davis Moore
#StrategicPartner
CED is an extraordinary asset to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through their network and events, CED provides invaluable resources for companies to succeed and for our community to thrive.”
Zack Robbins // VP, Technology Banking // Pacific Western Bank
#PremiumPartner
Navigating the challenging startup terrain can be treacherous for new entrepreneurs, but CED provides fantastic support to help guide startup organizations from idea to investment. We’re proud to partner with them to foster an environment of innovation and progress here in the Triangle.”
Ben Lake // CPP, CEO & Co-Founder // AtlasHR
#StrategicPartner
I have had the good fortune of working with CED in two roles: previously with a VC-backed startup company showcasing at CED Tech Ventures, and now as a Strategic Partner representing RTI International and our global presence. In both cases, CED has enabled us to partner at an intimate level with the business, entrepreneur and investor community in the Triangle and beyond. From its flagship events, to educational workshops, to networking opportunities, CED continues to lead the way in raising up our entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina.”
Vinay Tannan // Director of Commercialization // RTI International
#StrategicPartner
CED strives to unite their members and their partners in a way that feels natural to all parties. Everyone is willing to be open about their needs and objectives. Our partnership with CED allows us the opportunity to communicate how we can help with those objectives and provide guidance for their success.”
Aisha Hasan // Partner // Barnes & Thornburg
is Partnership right for you?
We want to get to know you a little before you make that decision. Please reach out to learn more about CED, learn more about being a CED Partner, and how we can help you become a valuable resource in the Entrepreneurial Community, today.
Alicia Parr is the founder of Performentor, with deep experience in HR, she delivers a behavior science-informed and small-business approach. An entrepreneur at heart, Alicia has 20 years of HR experience in small businesses spanning multiple industries. Her expertise is coauthoring learning cultures, amplifying innovative environments, and building high-performing teams of HR experts. She frequently serves executives as an executive coach and advisor. Startups who have begun to scale benefit from Performentor’s entrepreneur-friendly HR service approach.
Allen Cobb Certified EOS Implementer
Allen Cobb
As a business coach, teacher, and facilitator, Allen works with the leadership teams of privately held entrepreneurial companies to get what they want from their businesses. During full-day off-site sessions his clients implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. He was introduced to EOS® during his tenure as a Co-Founder of a software company in Raleigh, NC. Over the next eight years, Allen would see how the system can be a catalyst to significant growth when applied to solid business models. He served on the leadership teams of three different companies running EOS® (two of which were acquired and one not so great) before deciding to coach other companies as an EOS Implementer®. Allen took the success and passion from these experiences into his work as an EOS® Implementer. He now works with clients that are looking to go from good to great and get a grip on their business.
Business Consulting
Allen Cobb Co.
NC TECH
Andrea Fleming
Andrea Fleming is the Director, Talent + Workforce Development for NC TECH. In this role, she has a focus on resources and initiatives for not only current tech talent, but the pipeline of tech talent for years to come.
Human Resource Management & Recruiting Firms
AtlasHR
Law Firms
Bagchi Law
Website:http://www.BagchiLaw.com
Financial Planning & Wealth Management
Balentine
Balentine
6. 30. 21
love to be a pro-bono resource ↳ ex. Founded a company wanted to talk about options
financial planning advisor ↳ Develop Brand focused on niche ↳ One Day/no open office hours at Raleigh founded
Speaking opportunities ↳ Capital Markets and Economic indicators
* Exit planning
Branding perspective to be involved Sponsor Opportunity?
Website:http://www.balentine.com/
Technology
Bandwidth
Website:http://bandwidth.com
Bank
Bank of America Private Bank
Website:http://www.bankofamerica.com
Law Firms
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Website:http://btlaw.com
Accounting Firms
BDO
Goodrich Consulting Group
Bernard Goodrich
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Bernard (Founder) serves the entrepreneurial community by providing Financial Planning and Analysis expertise to help businesses maximize the achievement of their strategic goals. Beyond that, as he is often referred to as “the great connector” by friends and colleagues, Bernard is enthusiastic about aligning talented entrepreneurs to valuable resources within his personal and professional networks.
He joined Cushman & Wakefield in April of 2022. As Managing Principal, he oversees all operations in the Raleigh/Durham market. He plays a key role in strategy and growth planning, culture building, community outreach, growth and development of the team. Chad serves as a mentor to junior staff members. Outside of Cushman & Wakefield, Chad is an entrepreneur. He has a small business and is very encouraging and supportive of entrepreneurs. His door is always open and he thrives on giving support and feedback to help others achieve success.
Accounting Firms
Cherry Bekaert LLP
Website:http://www.cbh.com
Life Science
Chiesi USA, INC.
Website:http://chiesiusa.com
Tech
Cii Technology
CII Technologies
Simplifying and streamlining solutions
Implementing resilient infrastructure that prevents down time when there’s a failure.
Improve function and accessibility for internal custom applications
Manage IT environment: Network Security, and back up processes.
See if they Could Connect W/ Resources
Never acquired firm previously Under 25 employees right now
looking for access to resources who can help them w/ guidon, through M&A process. May talk w/ Hunter and
attorney’s in network.
Architecture & Engineering
Clark Nexsen
Website:http://www.clarknexsen.com
Technology
Clarkston Consulting
Website:http://www.clarkstonconsulting.com
Accounting
CliftonLarsonAllen
Technology
Collaborative Drug Discovery Inc
Law Firms
Cooley LLP
Website:https://www.cooley.com/
Leasing
CSC Leasing
Website:http://www.cscleasing.com
Commercial Real Estate Firms
Cushman & Wakefield
Website:http://www.cushwake.com
Commercial Real Estate Firms
Davis Moore Capital
Website:http://www.davismoorecapital.com
Accounting Firms
Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC
Website:https://deandorton.com/
Accounting Firms
Deloitte LLP
Website:https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en.html
Technology
Dualboot Partners
Website:https://dualbootpartners.com/
Economic Development
Duke Energy Carolinas
Website:http://www.duke-energy.com
Consulting
EOS Worldwide
Human Resource Management & Recruiting Firms
Extensis HR
Accounting Firms
EY
Website:http://www.ey.com
Financial Advisory Employers & Individuals
Financial Directions Group
Website:http://www.financialdirections.com
Law Firms
Fox Rothschild LLP
Website:https://www.foxrothschild.com/
Investors
Fulcrum Equity Partners
Website:http://www.fulcrumep.com
Co-Working
Gig East Exchange
Website:https://www.gigeast.com/
Life Science
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Website:us.gsk.com
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
Glen Chaplan
Glen is a partner at Robinson Bradshaw where he represents emerging growth companies across a wide variety of industries and the individuals and institutions that make investments in emerging growth companies. Glen has been a part of the Triangle entrepreneurial community since 2005 when he relocated from Silicon Valley.
Business Consulting
Go-od Consulting
Consulting
Goodrich Consulting Group
RBC Wealth Management
Grant Chaney
Grant and his partner Bob McCarthy work with individuals, multi-generational families, corporations, and non-profits to develop and implement long-term investment strategies based on a foundation of financial planning. Their clients include individuals who have experienced liquidity events, founders and private stockholders, private equity and debt investors, and others who are involved in the entrepreneurial community. Grant and Bob connect their clients with partners such as attorneys and CPAs to create a broader wealth management team.
Longfellow Real Estate Partners
Gregg Capps
Greg Capps serves as Managing Director for Longfellow Real Estate Partners, the largest privately held investor and developer of life science buildings in the world. Mr. Capps oversees the coordination with Longfellow’s Partners to set and execute the strategy for the firm’s continued growth and presence in North Carolina. To date, Longfellow has developed a North Carolina portfolio of more than 4 million square feet and key assets throughout Research Triangle Park and Durham.
Financial Planning & Wealth Management
Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC
send Partner update Megan
Decision to scale Hamilton Point back was Due to
Pandemic L. K. C. Nelson – CIO
David Stefan – AVP, lead Analyst
Rick May pop in and out
↳ Added items to plate
due to passing of Cofounder Hamilton Point – Remain top of Mind Proad experience and background as being top of Mind
Asset managers with relevant experience in valuation and exits.
Pain Points all local to Chapel Hill
↳ Raleigh at 5pm/6pm is tough For them. Attendance Could be higher in Durhana.
Quarterly Commentary – Writing falls to KC.
Website:http://hamiltonpoint.com/
Investors
Hatteras Venture Partners
Website:http://www.hatterasvp.com
Insurance
Hub International
Accounting Firms
Hughes Pittman & Gupton LLP
Website:http://www.hpg.com
Law Firms
Hutchison PLLC
Website:http://www.hutchlaw.com
Technology
IBM
Website:http://www.ibm.com
Law Firms
Jenkins Wilson Taylor & Hunt, P.A.
Website:http://www.jwth.com/
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
John Fogg
John is a partner at Robinson Bradshaw where he advises technology and emerging growth companies from inception to exit, focusing in the areas of venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. John represents companies nationally from Silicon Valley to Research Triangle Park and has earned a reputation for providing creative solutions to complex legal and business issues. John has been a part of the Triangle entrepreneurial community since 2004 when he relocated from Silicon Valley.
Vocable Communications
Jonathon Weisenfeld
Jonathon Weisenfeld is COO and consulting principal for Vocable Communications, a data-driven communications company providing both spoken and visual comms training to executives, teams, and startups. For over 20 years, he has provided a wide range of services in graphic design, visual communication, and brand identity. He has worked with multiple CED members here in the Triangle to help them either establish, revise, or simply maintain their branding and websites, freeing up time to better utilize their expertise in business development or research. He serves as the point-person for Vocable’s speech focused training arm to support the CED community with executive level coaching, team-level assessment and training, strategic messaging, and investor pitch scrubbing. He enjoys working with entrepreneurs and helping them improve how they communicate and grow their business.
CSC Leasing Company
Jordan Stowe
As Regional Director at CSC Leasing, Jordan works with early stage companies to design tailored, flexible financing strategies. By introducing non-dilutive equipment leasing solutions, he helps startups procure technology and other mission-critical equipment without the burden of owning expensive and depreciating assets. As a result, Jordan’s clients are better positioned to scale their business, meet milestones quicker, and address planned and unplanned financial obligations. Having financed a wide array of equipment across many different industries, he understands the capital requirements necessary to achieve business growth goals.
Lauren Romer is the Director of Raleigh Founded. She oversees the four locations in Raleigh as well as the programming and ecosystem-building efforts throughout the Triangle.
Technology
Lenovo
Bank
Live Oak Bank
Website:https://www.liveoakbank.com/
Real Estate
Longfellow Real Estate Partners
Law Firms
Manning Fulton & Skinner, P.A.
Website:http://www.manningfulton.com/
Extensis HR
Marlana Bunn
Marlana Bunn is a Senior PEO Consultant at ExtensisHR, a full-service HR and employee benefit provider for SMBs and entrepreneurial companies. She has over a decade of experience in the HR solutions industry, including global benefits expertise in a previous role. Marlana is a proud member of the Carolina Angels Network, as well as a Limited Partner in the Triangle Tweener Fund. As a lifelong resident of North Carolina currently raising her family there, she is honored to work alongside these organizations to support the local startup community. Marlana is an alumna of UNC Chapel Hill (go Heels!) and enjoys spending her downtime with her two young children, Jimmy (7) and Jack (3).
Law Firms
Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP
Website:https://www.marshallip.com/
Insurance & Employee Benefits
McGriff Insurance Services
Website:https://www.mcgriffinsurance.com/
Life Science
Merz North America
Law Firms
Michael, Best & Friedrich
Website:www.michaelbest.com
Museum
Museum of Life and Science
University Partnerships
NC State Office of Research and Innovation
Website:https://research.ncsu.edu/
Non-profit
NC Tech
Non-profit
NC Tech
Consulting
North State Consulting
Bank
Pacific Western Bank
Website:https://www.pacwest.com/
Investors
Pappas Capital
Website:http://www.pappas-capital.com/
Life Science
Parexel International
Website:https://www.parexel.com/
Live Oak Bank
Pat Scherper
Pat Scheper is Head of Venture Banking at Live Oak Bank. Having worked in the industry for 15+ years, Pat (along with his team) looks to provide additional growth capital to innovation economy companies. This capital comes in the form of venture debt facilities in conjunction with institutional VC rounds.
Ronnie Eubanks is an audit partner with Cherry Bekaert as well as the co-leader of the Firm’s Technology Practice for North and South Carolina. For more than 25 years, Ronnie has had the opportunity to work with many early-stage and growth Technology and Life Science companies throughout the east coast in the areas of investor reporting, financial reporting to federal granting agencies, providing “exit-ready” guidance as high-growth companies look to take on growth equity or other strategic transactions. In addition, one of his hobbies over the years has been to speak to new business founders, incubators and college students on matters of financial compliance, M&A, taxation, starting a workforce, expanding overseas operations, etc.
Accounting Firms
RSM US LLP
Website:https://rsmus.com/
Life Science
RTI International
Website:http://www.rti.org
J.P. Morgan
Ryan Cosola
Ryan Cosola is a Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He advises entrepreneurs around personal financial decisions as they grow their company and ultimately exit. Ryan works closely with J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Bank and Investment Bank. Through this industry-specific partnership, they support entrepreneurs and their companies from formation to IPO/M&A and beyond.
Law Firms
Smith Anderson
Website:http://www.smithlaw.com
Technology
Spoonflower
Website:http://www.spoonflower.com
Real Estate
T3 Advisors, LLC
University Partnerships
UNC Office of Technology Commercialization
Website:https://otc.unc.edu/
Human Resource Management & Recruiting Firms
Vaco, LLC
Website:http://www.vaco.com/
Business Consulting
VentureXpert Advisors
Business Consulting
Vocable Communications
Insurance & Employee Benefits
Wade Associates
Website:https://wadeict.com/
Healthcare
WakeMed Hospitals
Wealth Management
Bank
Wells Fargo
Website:http://www.wellsfargo.com
Law Firms
Williams Mullen
Website:https://www.williamsmullen.com/
Law Firms
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati P.C.
Life Science
Worldwide Clinical Trials
Website:https://www.worldwide.com/
Law Firms
Wyrick Robbins
Website:http://www.wyrick.com
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It’s a smart step to partner with CED. We’re passionate about helping entrepreneurs connect with the right resources—and we’re dedicated to guiding you towards a successful business.
