Bob Creeden Shares Plans for Growth at Fireside Chat

February 17, 2012

Approximately a dozen Entrepreneurship Initiative students gathered in the Garage on Thursday evening for a lively discussion with Bob Creeden, executive director of the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network in Durham.

The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network represents a unique approach to accelerating the growth trajectory of promising start-ups in the Research Triangle Park region and reflects an unprecedented collaboration between the region’s major universities, its entrepreneurial community and the private sector.

“The best part of my job is that I get to sit in the chair that looks at all of the campuses together,” Creeden remarked.

He believes the Triangle is the perfect place for such a network because there is no shortage of good quality opportunities.  His organization is creating a network of successful master entrepreneurs to bring these new opportunities to their attention and help move them forward.

Referring to Blackstone as a start-up in and of itself, Creeden explained his many-to-one mentoring philosophy, which he feels will add more value than standard one-to-one mentoring.

“The master entrepreneur will act as a head coach…surrounded by others with their own unique talents and skills,” he explained.

Creeden anticipates that at least one-third of the companies selected by the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network will be from university campuses.  He expects to take on 30 companies in his first year, but projects growing to 150 companies over the next five years.

“Job creation and growth in the Triangle is the ultimate goal of the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network,” he said.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions about Creeden’s plans for Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and about his experience as both an entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

NC State’s Entrepreneurship Initiative sponsors a series of Fireside Chats with leaders in the entrepreneurial community throughout the academic year.