Entrepreneurship

Transforming Communities Through Entrepreneurship

“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”

Blackstone Entrepreneur Network celebration

“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”

“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.

Read the complete Carolina Story…Opens in new window

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.

Innovation & Impact Funding Priorities

    Readers also viewed...

    Veteran Matthew Colon stands in a barn with a horse, facing the camera. An American flag is in the background.
    Health

    Helping Veterans Thrive

    An empowering clinical outreach program at UNC-Chapel Hill offers veterans and first responders new hope through holistic health care.

    A male Blue Ridge two-lined salamander is held in the hand of a researcher
    Environment

    Seeking Salamanders

    Carolina students discover their passion and aptitude for fieldwork

    A phone screen with social media apps is shown
    Innovation

    Tackling Crisis of Teens and Screens

    New center providing groundbreaking research and public awareness

    Dante Pittman poses outside with hands on hips and whirligigs in the background.
    Community

    Strengthening North Carolina’s local governments

    Dante Pittman, member of the first cohort of Lead for North Carolina Fellows, is now human relations director for the City of Wilson, his hometown.

    Samantha Meltzer-Brody sits outside at a patio table with a cup of coffee.
    Research

    Improving child and adolescent mental health

    CHAAMP is one of the first research programs focused exclusively on addressing the gap in child and adolescent mental health services.

    A physician sits with her arms on a desk
    Health

    STEPPS to Address Physician Stress

    New recommendations seek to ameliorate stress among health care workers