While Silicon Valley remains the best-known startup ecosystem in the United States, the Triangle region of North Carolina boasts a flourishing catalog of successful startups. Along with top-tier universities and an exceptional quality of life, the Triangle’s many local innovation hubs make it possible for startups in all stages of growth to succeed. These hubs administer programs that accelerate the development of next-generation companies and the adoption of technology across existing industries.
We’ve compiled a list of our top six picks for innovation hubs contributing to the success of our ecosystem through mentorship, resources, community-building, and more.
Known as “The Startup Hub of the South,” American Underground has four locations throughout the Triangle and houses 275+ startups including solo-entrepreneurs, remote employees, and larger teams. Additionally, American Underground is a Google for Entrepreneurs Tech Hub, allowing access to Google technical content, business tools, and infrastructure upgrades.
This collaborative workspace is North Carolina’s largest entrepreneurial co-working community. With an ever-growing presence in the Triangle, HQ Raleigh plans to deepen local impact and grow to new cities across the Southeast. Authenticity, empowering others, and leaving the world better than you found it are at the core of their community values.
Located in the center of Research Triangle Park (RTP), The Frontier is the first venture into the future “Park Center,” a complete re-imagining and re-development of RTP. While all of the innovation hubs depend on and encourage open collaboration and networking, the Frontier provides entirely free co-working, meeting, and event space that includes parking and wifi. Solo-entrepreneurs, non-profits, and meet-up groups can afford to take advantage of all that it has to offer.
Launch is an award-winning startup accelerator in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and business owners. The goal of Launch is to provide startups with the tools and knowledge they need to decrease risks associated with projects, reduce go-to-market time, and expedite growth.
The Loading Dock is a co-working and collaborative workspace that promotes integrated work unencumbered by the challenges of traditional office spaces. It strives to host a diverse and supportive community where innovative ideas prosper. Furthermore, the Loading Dock will more than double in size in coming months, opening 15 additional office suites, more conference rooms, a classroom, and a mini “commerce hub” for growing consumer product and e-commerce companies.
The Nest is another Raleigh co-working space for local startups. Its mission is to foster a community and culture that supports the local entrepreneurs that keep the Triangle growing. The Nest values community involvement and believes that co-work is a far superior alternative to working alone. Worried about noise? The Nest has private suites and phone booths.
