Research Triangle region enhanced by several key developments
Evolution of this North Carolina innovation hub took nearly four decades of hard work and collaboration.
For those who have heard about the Research Triangle region of North Carolina but are not that familiar with its history, WRAL TechWire published an easy-to-read summary of six major milestones over four decades of the area’s evolution.
The article was written by Tom Snyder, Executive Director of Raleigh-based RIoT, an organization focused on the Internet of Things. What we found particularly insightful was his perspective on the development of programs that made a difference:
- 38 years ago – Launch of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development that has helped more than 7,000 start-ups raise $6 billion;
- 30 years ago – Launch of the First Flight Venture Center that helped start-ups reach a combined $10 billion in market capitalization;
- 20 years ago – Launch of WRAL TechWire to share the region’s stories;
- 17 years ago – Launch of NC IDEA that has deployed nearly $15 million in non-dilutive grants to start-ups and entrepreneurial support organizations;
- 12 years ago – Launch of American Underground that has helped Durham achieve national prominence and has been focusing on diverse participation since before diversity was a buzzword in tech; and
- 10 years ago – Launch of Raleigh Founded, the first co-working space in the city that quickly became the center of gravity for all things entrepreneurship.
It reminds us of two important points: things take time and one thing builds on another, not unlike 3D printing.
