Bright Minds. Smart Growth. Brilliant Location.
North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region
Located in the center of North Carolina—Forbes’ reigning Best State for Business—the Research Triangle Region is home to the nation’s largest research park. A diverse business ecosystem, talented workforce and dynamic lifestyle has helped the region grow in population by 70% since 2000. The Research Triangle Region attracts and retains talented professionals because of its affordable housing and low commute times compared to similar innovation-rich competitor cities like Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, Nashville, New York and the DC region. We are also home to an eclectic mix of people from everywhere—and that means everyone is welcome here.
World-Class Innovation Meets World-Class Business Climate
Forming the “triangle” are the region’s three surrounding Tier 1 research universities located only minutes apart: North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The creative spirit and visionary leadership that helped build this dynamic region continue to generate new economic engines that power our region today, including agtech, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology, and clean tech.
You're Growing. We Can Help. Let's Connect!
The Research Triangle Regional Partnership helps companies that are exploring new operations, exciting expansions, or critical relocation opportunities. We and our partners can help you learn more about the region by providing market comparisons, wage and real estate data and site selection assistance. If you're looking for the space to innovate in a diverse, inclusive community, we have a home for you. Let our team helpLeader of the Pack: No. 1 State for Business
North Carolina has been ranked the No. 1 State for Business by Forbes in 2017, 2018 and 2019, in part due to its 2.5% corporate tax rate, the lowest in the U.S. Overall business costs are also low, with performance-based incentive programs at the state and local levels that help companies offset the costs of new operations. At the regional level, the Research Triangle Region ranks significantly lower in KPMG’s Cost of Doing Business Index than similar innovation hubs like Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, New York and the DC region.Highly Educated. Highly Skilled. Highly Motivated.
Our median age is 37, with more than a million residents in the labor force (ages 18 to 64). We boast the nation’s 4th highest concentration of PhDs in the country, and 47% of our population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher (national average: 32.6%). The region attracts and retains talented professionals because of its affordablity and short commute times compared to similar innovation-rich competitor cities. We are also home to an eclectic mix of people from everywhere—and that means everyone is welcome here.2nd Fastest Growing Tech Hub in U.S.
Technology is a leading industry sector in the Research Triangle Region, which includes what most people think of when they think of tech: software developers, hardware manufacturers, and telecommunication companies. But some of the fastest growing segments are in fields like analytics, nanotechnology, Internet of Things, photonics, quantum computing and wearables. Almost 60,000 people are employed by close to 4,000 technology firms in the Research Triangle Region and the industry continues to see explosive growth.4th Largest Life Sciences Hub in U.S.
Almost 600 life science companies operate in the Research Triangle Region, from fast-growing start-ups to massive multi-nationals. Some are focused solely on research, while others specialize in manufacturing drug therapies at a scale that can’t be replicated anywhere in the world. More than 24,000 people are directly employed in this industry, which contributes almost $10 billion to the regional economy. The region is also known as the birthplace of Contract Research Organizations (CROs) with the formation of IQVIA (formerly Quintiles). Today, seven of the top 10 global CROs operate and/or have their headquarters here.Tools & Resources
The Triangle Region
The Triangle's Talent
The Right Incentives
Why Talent is Moving to the Triangle
By the Numbers
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