About Research Triangle Region
CED is headquartered in North Carolina's Research Triangle Region, which is consistently ranked among
the best places in the world to live, work and do business.
The Research Triangle Region’s many strengths include a collaborative and diverse business climate, vibrant clusters of innovation, world-renowned research universities and a highly-skilled workforce. Other regional highlights include:
- High-tech/Bioscience Environment – The region’s vibrant technology community includes established companies like IBM, SAS, Cisco and Red Hat, as well as promising entrepreneurial companies such as ChannelAdvisor and Motricity. In addition, the region is consistently ranked in the top 3 in the U.S. for its concentration in life sciences, with companies ranging in size from GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen Idec and Merck, to locally grown companies like Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Biolex and AlphaVax.
- Well-educated Population – The region is home to world-class universities, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke and North Carolina State University. More than 40 percent of the region’s population holds at least a bachelor's degree, and one in nine holds graduate, professional or Ph.D. degrees.
- Quality of Life – With a mixture of small towns and booming cities, the Research Triangle attracts companies and people from throughout the nation seeking an affordable cost of living, excellent educational resources, cultural and sports events, abundant natural resources and an environment that supports doing business.
- World-Renowned Research Park -- Created in 1959, Research Triangle Park is an international model of economic development and scientific advancement that is home to 100 major research and development organizations. Approximately 38,500 people work in the RTP each day.
Stimulated by the technological and academic strength of the region, the Research Triangle Region has developed a fast-growing entrepreneurial economy which will fuel the next generation of economic growth with support from organizations like CED, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NC IDEA and the North Carolina Medical Device Organization.
In addition to the key organizations above, the network that provides entrepreneurial support within the Research Triangle Region is strengthed by partnerships between CED and its many active partners. Some of our partners include: