Regional Entrepreneurial connector, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, expands in the Region with RTP Frontier space

The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network announced its newest meeting space in The Frontier building in RTP. The Frontier, operated by the Research Triangle Foundation, is quickly becoming a hot-spot in the entrepreneurial community by providing a collaborative work environment. The move, made possible by the Research Triangle Foundation, enables the Blackstone Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) and Companies easier access to each other and adds a central meeting place. The move will help The Network in its mission to coach high-growth companies by providing a location in the heart of the region.

The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network was created in 2011 by a coalition of four universities (Duke, NC Central, NC State, and UNC-Chapel Hill) in conjunction with CED, and funded by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.

“It is fitting to add this new location in RTP to our program,” says Judith Cone, Coalition Managing Partner. “Since its founding, the RTP has been a place where academic institutions and the private sector come together to build the state’s economy. Once again the universities and private sector, through this program and this location, are collaborating toward that same goal. Unlike much of the past work that focused on recruiting industry, this program focuses on growing our own companies led by North Carolina’s proven entrepreneurs.”

According to Peter Bourne a Blackstone EIR, opening a location in RTP will enhance the program’s effectiveness. “This move will bring Network Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Client companies into the center of the RTP startup community,” says Bourne. “The critical mass of companies and startups, and its proximity to the Triangle’s four universities, makes it an excellent strategic location.” This location will give Network Companies headquartered in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill easy access to meeting space. “Having access to Research Triangle Park is a huge advantage for us,” says Jim Bone, President and co-founder of EpiCypher, a Mentored Network company. “We’re able to meet with our Blackstone EIRs at the Park and make connections that would not be possible sitting in our office.”

The Frontier is the first project in the new Park Center development and is designed as an open community space for those located in and aroud the Research Triangle Park. The Frontier provides free work and meeting space, as well as competitive lease rates for private offices throughout the 142,000 square foot building.

“We are thrilled to have Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network in The Frontier,” said RTP Chief Operating Officer Mason Ailstock. “The Network is an amazing resource for entrepreneurs and startups in the region, and their presence is a valuable addition to our growing list of tenants. We’re excited for the many opportunities this partnership will bring RTP,” said Ailstock.

About Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network: The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network mission is to unlock the tremendous economic potential of startups from the universities and the community in the RTP region and the State of North Carolina. Proven, serial entrepreneurs (EIRs), who have themselves raised significant venture capital, work together as a cohesive group to provide intensive coaching to promising entrepreneurial teams. Their goal is to help the next generation of entrepreneurial ventures raise the capital necessary to reach their next stages of growth. This is a philanthropic endeavor free of charge to those accepted in the program and takes no equity in the companies it coaches. To learn more, visit www.blackstoneentrepreneursnetwork.org.

About The Research Triangle Park The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina serves the Research Triangle Park, a bellwether institution that was once referred to by Governor Luther Hodges as the “heart and hope of North Carolina.” Situated centrally among Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, RTP contains 7,000 acres, 50,000+ employees, and over 200 companies, including Avaya, Cisco, Credit Suisse, IBM, NetApp, RTI International and Syngenta. RTP is also home to The Lab, an affordable incubation space for entrepreneurs and startups.

About The Frontier Located in the heart of RTP’s Park Center development, The Frontier is an open collaboration destination that can be used by anyone in the community for a variety of reasons. It’s connected to lightning fast internet, has free Counter Culture coffee for all visitors and plays host to weekly events sponsored by The Research Triangle Park. There’s never any shortage of activity, and the community at-large is invited to use the space as if it was their very own. Find out more at rtp.org/thefrontier.

About EpiCypher Pioneering the Science of Epigenetics™ A pioneer in the field of epigenetics and chromatin biology, EpiCypher is a bioscience company developing transformative technologies and delivering superior products to researchers worldwide.

EpiCypher’s patented EpiTitan™ Histone Peptide Array is the most advanced histone array currently available. EpiCypher also sells nucleosomes, recombinant histone binding proteins, peptides and antibodies, as well as peptide synthesis and peptide array screening services. For more information about EpiCypher, visit epicypher.com.

Media Contact: Leslie Lewis, EpiCypher, Inc. [email protected]