Raleigh: the next big startup hub?

According to Inc. magazine, the answer is yes.  The article brings up the three research universities, space availability, and a strong entrepreneurial network as factors that will make Raleigh the next Austin or Portland.  NC State and the Poole College of Management play a crucial role through Centennial Campus and HQ Raleigh.  Who knows, maybe Amazon or Apple will decide to locate here as well?

Raleigh-Durham ranked as #4 startup hub

WRAL's TechWire reports today that the Raleigh-Durham area has been ranked as the #4 hub for startup businesses in the US.  Boston was #1, followed by the Bay Area at #2 and Denver as #3.  RDU ranked ahead of San Diego (#5) and Austin (#6).  The full report sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 1776, and Free Enterprise can be found here.  Rankings are based on how well the cities "attract talent, increase investments, develop specializations, create density, connect the community, and build a culture of innovation."  Raleigh received especially high marks for talent (#5), connectivity (#3) and culture (#1).

NC State's Poole College of Management has long played an active role in the Raleigh startup community.  Our Jenkins MBA students have long been actively involved in commercializing new technologies on campus.  Recently our undergraduate and MBA students have been working with startup firms at the incubator HQ Raleigh.  Students wanting to learn about entrepreneurship should certainly be giving NC State a hard look.

Raleigh labor market #3 in US

According to the latest ratings in Forbes, Raleigh clocks in as the #3 labor market in the US out of 150 metropolitan areas.  Yet another reason to come here to get your MBA!

Raleigh makes two more top 10 lists

WSJ's Marketwatch reports a survey by RelocateAmerica that places Raleigh as the #4 city in which to live in the US.  Austin came in at #1; the rest of the list in order: Grand Rapids (!), Boulder, Dallas, Greenville SC, Augusta, Boise, Omaha, and Oklahoma City. 

Raleigh was cited for high tech jobs, outstanding universities, a solid public schools system, wonderful weather, and a lively arts scene.  Cary is listed separately as one of the top 100 cities, along with Wilmington and Charlotte.

Forbes rates Raleigh #2 in the country (after Austin) for being best positioned to grow and prosper over the next 10 years.  The ratings are based on recent job growth as well as demographics, including in-migration and education. 

Survey: Raleigh top US city for quality of life

Raleigh placed numero uno in the USA in Portfolio.com's survey of which cities have the best quality of life.  Growth, educated workforce, lots of high level jobs and a large inventory of new homes were all cited as factors that made Raleigh stand out above the rest.  The survey focused on employment and housing data, so other cities with more major league sports, parks, beaches, and the like will no doubt claim foul.  Also there were no adjustments for disamenities such as corruption, crime or pollution.