Chamber and Innovate Raleigh Announce Partnership to Benefit Startup Community

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Innovate Raleigh announced a new partnership today.
The collaboration will aid the area’s growing entrepreneurial community through new initiatives and support services for local startups.
 
“The objective is to fill gaps in the innovation ecosystem and address the needs of entrepreneurs,” said Terri Lomax, co-founder and chair of the Innovate Raleigh Executive Committee. While conducting an organization assessment of Innovate Raleigh, she said, entrepreneurs indicated they needed assistance in three areas: funding, talent acquisition, and advocacy with state and local elected officials.
 
Innovate Raleigh was founded in 2011 when it held the first Raleigh Innovation Summit, resulting in:

• The founding of the HQ Raleigh co-working space
• A direct flight from RDU to San Francisco
• Meetups for entrepreneurs
• Organization of a group that started “The Raleigh MAIN Events,” which promotes music, design, arts, and innovation during the month of September 

Teamwork, Creativity, Innovation

“It’s a win-win for the Chamber and Innovate Raleigh,” said Chamber President and CEO Adrienne Cole. “We’re excited to work together. Our mission to build a thriving economy is a great complement to Innovate Raleigh’s goal to foster entrepreneurial growth.”
 
“We are all looking forward to launching the 6th annual Innovate Raleigh Summit on Nov. 9 and combining the cutting edge ideas of Raleigh’s leaders and entrepreneurs,” Cole added.
 
The partnership will officially begin on Oct. 1. The Chamber, in coordination with Innovate Raleigh’s Executive Committee, will conduct a search for an executive director to lead the new alliance.

​“Raleigh has a collaborative culture of teamwork with a drive for creativity and innovation,” said Greg Winkler, Chamber Board chair. “We are all committed to cultivating our thriving city and advancing its economy as a change agent in our region.”

More Information

For further information about the announcement, contact Vernessa Roberts.