Transforming Communities Through Entrepreneurship

“While North Carolina was still recovering from the chilling Great Recession, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation envisioned a high-growth future here and followed its idea up by investing in exciting, innovative and collaborative work among universities in this region,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt.

For six years, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network-RTP has focused on finding Carolina’s — and other area universities’ — students and faculty members with bright ideas and connected them to experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

“We have connected the dots by bringing experienced entrepreneurs and their networks together with crackerjack entrepreneurs at our universities who are working on exciting new products and services,” said Folt.

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Starting with a $3.63 million gift in 2011, the foundation created the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network—RTP in partnership with Carolina, Duke, N.C. State and N.C. Central universities and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

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