START UP THE ECOSYSTEM

The Triangle, made up of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is an innovation and technology hub where creativity meets dedication and grit. Coupled with low taxes, startup accelerators, coworking spaces, networking opportunities, and over 2,500 startups, including familiar names like Cree, Red Hat, SAS, and Pendo, entrepreneurs will feel right at home in the Triangle.

Recognized for its strong economy, educated workforce, talent, and technology, Raleigh-Durham ranks #16 in the United States among startup ecosystems and #41 globally, according to StartupBlink. With Durham dubbed the “Startup Capital of the South” by CNBC, the area is a breeding ground for young entrepreneurs and established business owners. You’ll find a welcome community for those looking to launch a new business or startup with supportive organizations, including N.C. Entrepreneurship Clinic, HQ Raleigh Community, e51 Networking, and area chambers of commerce. Venture capitalists, funding rounds, big acquisitions, and the arrival of major tech companies have propelled the area forward and put it on the map.

Raleigh is expanding rapidly and continues to be named among the fastestgrowing cities in the U.S. and garner numerous area accolades that include:

FORBES HAS VOTED NORTH CAROLINA #1 FOR THE BEST STATE TO DO BUSINESS FOR CONSECUTIVE YEARS

INC’S RANKED RALEIGH THE #3 SURGE CITY AMONG THE BEST US CITIES FOR STARTING A BUSINESS (2021)

DURHAM #5 AND RALEIGH #10 BEST LARGE CITIES TO START A SMALL BUSINESS BY WALLETHUB IN 2018

RALEIGH #15 FOR BEST METRO AREA FOR STEM PROFESSIONALS BY WALLETHUB WITH THE HIGHEST MEDIAN ANNUAL WAGES (2023)

RALEIGH #56 FOR BEST CITIES FOR HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURS

BY WALLETHUB (2019)

RALEIGH RANKED #2 AMONG BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS IN 2018 BY FORBES

WITH BOTH LARGE AND SMALLER-SCALE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, THE STARTUP SCENE HAS GROWN RAPIDLY OVER THE LAST DECADE THANKS TO VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTED HERE AMONG COMPANIES LIKE EPIC GAMES AND PENDO.

BY ERICA JEVONS SIZEMORE

To be a successful startup market for entrepreneurs looking to launch their businesses, an area must have three critical things: talent, technology, and capital.