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Why Plug and Play, North Carolina
"Where innovation meets investment, scale, and global reach." Plug and Play is one of the world's largest and most impactful open innovation platforms, based in Silicon Valley with 65+ hubs worldwide. It connects startups, corporations, universities, and public sector leaders to solve critical challenges and accelerate scalable solutions across industries.
The Plug and Play Model
Startup Acceleration (No Equity Model)
Industry-themed cohort programs with 40-50 startups per vertical annually. Corporates select startups for pilots or partnerships, with no equity taken in exchange for participation.
Global Investment Engine
Invested in 238 early-stage startups in 2023 alone, focusing on pre-seed to Series A opportunities. 45+ unicorns emerged from the network, including Dropbox, PayPal, and N26.
Corporate Innovation & Ecosystem Building
Funded by corporate partners like Mercedes-Benz, ExxonMobil, and Walmart who join to source startup innovation, run pilots, and accelerate internal R&D through curated introductions.
This three-pronged approach creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem where startups gain valuable corporate connections without sacrificing equity, investors identify promising early-stage opportunities, and corporations access cutting-edge innovation to solve business challenges.
Regional Expansion Strategy
Plug and Play co-develops localized innovation hubs with anchor partners to support regional goals while connecting them to a global network. This approach ensures that each hub addresses specific local needs while leveraging Plug and Play's worldwide expertise and connections.
3-5
Founding Partners
This consortium can include a mix of corporate entities, universities, government agencies, or philanthropic organizations.
These structures are flexible and can be organized through public-private partnerships, innovation districts, or anchor institution coalitions.
Successful Regional Hub Examples
1
Texas A&M Innovation Hub
Fully funded by Texas A&M University, this defense-focused hub brings together specialized startups, technology transfer initiatives, and federal engagement opportunities to advance national security innovation.
2
San Jose, CA
This Smart Cities initiative received funding from the Knight Foundation plus support from PG&E, KPMG, and San Jose State University, focusing on urban innovation and building local capacity for technological solutions to civic challenges.
3
Seattle, WA
A corporate-led effort supported by a substantial venture fund, concentrating on AI and future of work technologies with backing from both enterprise leaders and civic authorities.
4
Osceola County, FL
In Osceola County, FL, a county-led RFP process created a hub supporting advanced manufacturing to grow regional economic resilience and attract high-tech industrial development.
Regional Success Factors
1
Corporate Anchors
Strong industry leaders willing to co-invest in the innovation ecosystem and engage meaningfully with emerging startups.
2
Public Sector Champions
Engaged government officials who understand innovation's role in economic development and can facilitate connections.
3
Academic Partners
Responsive universities or workforce development organizations that can supply talent and research capabilities.
4
Growth Environment
Location with existing startup momentum or industry cluster potential, plus interest in place-based innovation.
Plug and Play evaluates potential new regions based on these key factors to ensure sustainable innovation ecosystems. The most successful hubs demonstrate strong alignment among all stakeholders and a commitment to community wealth-building through technology advancement.
Value Proposition for North Carolina
Global Startup Pipeline
Access to international startups aligned with North Carolina's regional strengths in AgTech, Energy, Biotech, and AI, bringing cutting-edge solutions to local industry challenges.
Founder-Friendly Programs
No-equity, curated accelerator programs that attract top entrepreneurial talent without requiring them to give up ownership, enhancing the appeal of the NC ecosystem.
Capital & Validation
Investment capital and startup validation from one of the world's leading innovation platforms, helping North Carolina companies scale globally.
By establishing a Plug and Play hub, North Carolina would create valuable bridges between talent and global innovation networks. This partnership would significantly enhance the state's ability to retain, attract, and scale high-impact companies, strengthening North Carolina's position as a leading technology and innovation hub on the East Coast.
The Plug and Play To North Carolina Advisory Board
Shannon Johnson
Economic Development Director, Town of Zebulon, NC.
Experienced leader with a proven track record in driving innovation and growth within technology-driven organizations and North Carolina government.
Denika Seymour
Founder & CEO, DIGI Discoveries and Kingdom Wealth Forum, Raleigh, NC
Seasoned business leader, innovation strategist, and ecosystem builder with a passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented startups.
Ileana Ruperti
Managing Partner, AmeriTech AI, Raleigh, NC
Visionary leader in digital operations, technology strategy, AI/ML, and media buying, driving innovation and transformative growth for American businesses.
For questions, reach out to our team.
info@digidiscoveries.com
Our team is dedicated to building a world-class innovation ecosystem in North Carolina, and we welcome the opportunity to connect with you further.
Whether you have questions about the program, are interested in becoming a founding partner, or want to learn more about the expected outcomes and impact, we're here to assist you.
We look forward to discussing this exciting initiative and exploring ways we can collaborate to drive progress and make a lasting difference in North Carolina