TALENT

Recognized for having the highest rate per capita of those with PhDs, the legacy of RTP, and the tech giants that reside here give the area a leg up when it comes to talent and intellectual capital. Our world-class universities, notably Duke University, The University of Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University, are an asset to the region and provide a considerable technology and research influence. Skilled and competent employees are easy to find. We have a continuous stream of young talent, and our area universities conduct over $1 billion annually in research and development. The Triangle has always attracted innovators, and students graduating are positioned for success. All three schools have well-regarded entrepreneurship programs and angel funds whereby alums can invest in current student ventures. David Gardner, managing partner of Cary-based Cofounders Capital, which helps budding companies in the software space grow and find capital notes, “We’ve done a great job of building a startup community (here). It’s cool to be an entrepreneur now. As evidence of that, entrepreneurship is the fastest-growing degree at local universities… the best and the brightest want to do their own thing.” Job possibilities are endless for students graduating with engineering, science, technology, and mathematics degrees, and local startup companies are projected to prosper.