One of the primary reasons I decided to attend business school was to contribute to the dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in my home state of North Carolina. As a North Carolinian, I not only have a deep appreciation for barbecue and Cheerwine, but I also hold a strong passion for the region’s growing focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. North Carolina is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting entrepreneurial hubs in the country, and over the course of my internship at the Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), I had the opportunity to experience this ecosystem first-hand.
My primary responsibilities as an Associate were in Finance and Sales. I helped founders improve their pitch decks, ran analyses, and contemplated and researched potential new strategic partnerships for CED. My research was focused on how CED can better integrate with the larger NC entrepreneurial community through engagement with local university technology commercialization offices. Technology commercialization offices at universities are responsible for managing intellectual property that emerges from the university’s research activities. Intellectual property management is time-consuming and leaves technology transfer professionals with limited time to devise start-up strategies for their IP. I believe that this is an untapped part of the CED network that could benefit from partnering with CED.
North Carolina is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting entrepreneurial hubs in the country, and over the course of my internship at the Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), I had the opportunity to experience this ecosystem first-hand.
Overall, I am thankful for the opportunity to conduct research and interact directly with founders and start-ups in the Triangle. I highly recommend the CED Startup TNT Associate Program to anyone who is interested in learning more about North Carolina’s entrepreneurs and being part of the promising future here.
Taylor Walicki is a first-year MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business pursuing the Health Sector Management Certificate and a concentration in Strategy. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2026.
