the Triangle ecosystem has matured to where successful founders and operators can pay it forward to support the next generations of founders and operators and help make the flywheel bigger and spin faster.

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) is a North Carolina non-profit organization dedicated to connecting regional entrepreneurs with the resources they need to build and launch a successful business. We provide education, mentoring, and capital formation resources to technology-based, high-growth entrepreneurs. As CED’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jay meets with each entrepreneur, assesses his/her needs, then recommends the next steps and connections either within CED or the greater CED network, to best help them achieve business objectives. Select accomplishments include:Designed and launched the GRO incubator program. GRO leverages a network of experts that have been cultivated over the years. Cohort companies attend weekly classes delivered by top-notch speakers, receive 1:1 coaching from industry leaders and entrepreneurs, and complete assignments to help launch their ventures. This is a new and improved version of a business boot camp that some 1,000 North Carolina-based high-tech businesses leveraged to launch their venture. GRO currently enrolls and prepares approximately 2 dozen new high-growth, high-impact companies annually. Launched peer-to-peer support programs for tech, life science, agtech, and e-commerce founders/CEO’s. These roundtables provide a safe place for leaders to share challenges and gain personal experiences, best practices, and key connections to help their business scale. Consult with and make key connections to some 200 entrepreneurs annually. These connections help them solve pressing business challenges, hire trusted advisors and service providers, and meet investors, mentors, or peers.

Powered by a community of individuals and businesses inspired by entrepreneurship, CED is the nationally connected network that helps Triangle entrepreneurs build and grow successful companies. We provide education, mentoring and capital formation resources to technology-based, high-growth entrepreneurs. Select accomplishments include:Grow the Venture Mentoring Service (CED-VMS) to over 75 senior executives, serving more than 150 entrepreneurial lead companies as well as build stronger partnerships with NC State University, NCIDEA and other community members.Enhance CED's relationship with angel and venture captial investors providing introductions and insight into the most promising area companiesAdvising entrepreneurs seeking investment to refine and perfect their investor pitches as well as targeting the best investors for their business.Chief Strategists on CED's comprehensive database profiling and tracking over 1,500 entrepreneurial businesses in life science, technology, advanced materials, and clean tech.Advising entrepreneurs on attracting talent, community resources , access funding, go-to-market strategy and business viability.

NC IDEA provides grants to North Carolina based startup companies to support business activities that validate potential markets, reduce risk of early failure and advance projects to the point of self-sustainability at which time they are suitable for private equity investment.NC IDEA considers awarding grants to technology based businesses with the potential to become high-growth companies. NC IDEA defines a high growth company as a fast growing startup with a significant market size that will consider equity financing as part of their growth strategy.NC IDEA has awarded over $4.2M in grants to 104 North Carolina companies since the program's inception. NC IDEA targets high-tech companies that need help crossing the chasm between initial product development and venture capital funding.

Established in 2010 by NC State the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (CIF) is used for the development and advancement of ideas and discoveries made by NC State inventors. CIF awards of up to $75,000 are designed to support short-term (one year or less) commercially-focused research projects with the goal of enhancing the commercial potential for promising technologies.Better tests for Norovirus, safer cloud computing, lighter, stronger armor for soldiers, robotics that put a spring in your step, faster download speeds for smartphones, brewing beer from newly discovered yeasts, and growing therapeutic lung stem cells to make breathing easier – these NC State technological breakthroughs are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to investments from the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund.

Angel Investing and Strategic consulting, including business plan, marketing & sales strategy development.

MicroMass is a top-25 life sciences marketing communications agency. Its clients include both mid-size and large pharmaceutical companies. Held a series of roles of increasing impact and responsibility, eventually leading the company in its successful transformation from a venture-backed software company, into financially successful, full-service agency. MicroMass was sold to a private equity group.

Key contributor to the agency’s new business efforts (winning major flagship accounts totaling more than $10 million of revenue annually), as well as principal spokesperson for public relations/marketing efforts.

Led the formation of the Strategic Services Group to unleash inherit intellectual property within the company and provide key differentiation for the agency.

Responsible for both strategic alliances and marketing plans as well as programs designed to launch the venture-backed startup.

Planning, implementation and coordination of collateral, advertising and budgeting for all product launches, trade shows, seminar series and direct response marketing programs.