Exploring the development of a world-class open innovation hub in North Carolina.
This page documents the proposed initiative to bring a Plug and Play hub to North Carolina — connecting local startups, corporations, universities, and public sector leaders within one of the world's most impactful open innovation platforms. The concept is currently in early exploration, and we welcome input from partners, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders as we develop this vision together.
The Opportunity
North Carolina is uniquely positioned to strengthen its global innovation ecosystem. The state has a growing concentration of research universities, emerging industry clusters, a deep talent pipeline, and increasing corporate investment — yet lacks a globally connected open innovation platform to unify and accelerate these assets. A Plug and Play hub in North Carolina would bridge that gap, connecting local entrepreneurs, institutions, and corporations to a worldwide network of startups, investors, and innovation leaders.
A Maturing Startup Ecosystem
Growing entrepreneurial activity across the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte regions, with increasing venture activity and founder density.
Untapped Industry Alignment
Strong regional clusters in AgTech, Life Sciences, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, and AI that align directly with Plug and Play's global verticals.
Institutional Momentum
World-class research universities and economic development organizations actively seeking innovation partnerships and commercialization pathways.
A Critical Gap
No globally connected open innovation platform currently exists to coordinate and amplify these assets at scale.
About the Model
Plug and Play Tech Center is a global open innovation platform founded in Silicon Valley, now operating 65+ hubs worldwide. It connects startups, corporations, universities, and public sector organizations — co-developing localized innovation hubs with anchor partners to support regional goals while linking them to a worldwide network of capital, talent, and expertise.
Startup Acceleration
A no-equity accelerator model running industry-themed cohort programs with 40–50 startups per vertical annually. Programs span sectors including AgTech, Life Sciences, Energy, FinTech, and AI — connecting founders to mentors, partners, and investors.
Corporate Innovation
Corporations join as partners to source startup innovation, run pilots, and accelerate R&D. The platform gives enterprises structured access to vetted startups and facilitates collaboration across the global Plug and Play network.
Global Investment
An active investment arm that invested in 238 early-stage startups in 2023. The network has produced 45+ unicorns, including Dropbox, PayPal, and N26 — demonstrating a proven track record of identifying and scaling breakthrough companies.
Why North Carolina
North Carolina presents a compelling case for a Plug and Play regional hub, combining world-class research infrastructure, deep talent pipelines, and established industry clusters with a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and strong institutional commitment to innovation-led economic development.
Universities & Research Institutions
Home to UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, and a network of HBCUs and community colleges. Research Triangle Park is one of the largest research parks in the world, anchoring a globally recognized innovation corridor.
Talent Pipeline
A deep and diverse talent pool across STEM, business, and the arts, supported by strong graduate output from research universities and growing workforce development programs aligned to industry needs.
Industry Clusters
Established and growing clusters in Life Sciences, AgTech, Clean Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence — providing natural verticals for structured accelerator programming.
Entrepreneurship
A growing founder community across the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte, with increasing startup formation, early-stage activity, and a maturing support ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, and mentors.
Corporate Innovation
Major corporations including Lenovo, Red Hat, Bandwidth, and others have established significant North Carolina operations, creating sustained demand for startup partnerships and pilot opportunities.
Investment
Increasing venture capital activity, active angel networks, and growing institutional investment flowing into the state's innovation economy — supporting a healthier funding landscape for early-stage companies.
Economic Development
Strong public and private commitment to technology-led growth, with active state and regional agencies — including EDPNC and NCInnovation — prioritizing innovation as a driver of long-term economic resilience.
Ecosystem Development
The proposed North Carolina Plug and Play hub would be designed as a multi-stakeholder ecosystem, with distinct and complementary roles for each participant group. Together, these stakeholders would form the foundation of a regionally grounded, globally connected innovation community.
Founders & Entrepreneurs
Participate in no-equity accelerator cohorts, gain access to corporate partners, mentors, and global investor networks.
Investors
Identify and engage with vetted early-stage startups across North Carolina's key industry verticals.
Universities & Research Institutions
Contribute research capabilities, talent pipelines, and technology transfer opportunities to the ecosystem.
Corporations
Join as innovation partners to source startup solutions, run pilots, and accelerate internal R&D.
Government & Public Sector
Provide policy support, public-private partnership frameworks, and economic development alignment.
Economic Development Organizations
Help identify regional priorities, facilitate stakeholder connections, and support hub sustainability.
Workforce Organizations
Align training and upskilling programs with the talent needs of emerging companies in the ecosystem.
Community Partners
Ensure the hub reflects and serves the full breadth of North Carolina's communities, including underrepresented founders and regions.
A successful hub requires active participation and co-investment from stakeholders across all sectors. The proposed model is intended to be inclusive, regionally responsive, and globally connected.
DIGI Discoveries' Role
DIGI Discoveries is leading the exploratory and research phase of this initiative. Our work to date has focused on understanding the North Carolina innovation landscape, identifying potential stakeholders, and assessing the feasibility of a Plug and Play hub in the region. The following reflects work in progress — not a completed initiative.
1. Market Research
Conducting research on the North Carolina innovation economy, including startup activity, investment trends, and industry cluster development.
2. Ecosystem Analysis
Mapping the existing innovation infrastructure across the state to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for a Plug and Play hub.
3. Stakeholder Identification
Identifying potential founding partners, corporate sponsors, university collaborators, and public sector champions across the region.
4. Stakeholder Interviews
Engaging directly with ecosystem leaders to gather insights, assess interest, and understand priorities.
5. Community Outreach
Connecting with entrepreneurs, community organizations, and underrepresented founders to ensure the initiative reflects the full diversity of North Carolina.
6. Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Mapping
Documenting the landscape of accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces, and support organizations across the state.
7. Innovation Asset & Gap Analysis
Assessing existing innovation assets and identifying where a Plug and Play hub could add the most value.
8. Founder Engagement
Gathering input from early-stage founders on their needs, challenges, and interest in a no-equity accelerator model.
9. Investor Engagement
Connecting with angel investors, venture capital firms, and institutional investors active in North Carolina.
10. Corporate Engagement
Exploring interest from corporations in participating as innovation partners or founding sponsors.
11. Economic Development Research
Reviewing state and regional economic development priorities to align the hub concept with existing strategies.
12. Commercialization Research
Examining pathways for translating university research and startup innovation into scalable commercial ventures.
13. Strategic Recommendations
Developing a set of recommendations for the structure, focus, and phased development of a North Carolina Plug and Play hub.
Plug and Play North Carolina Initiative