Jay Bigelow Joins CED as Director of Entrepreneurship, Will Focus on Growth of ‘Business Basics’ Programs

CED, the Southeast’s largest entrepreneurial support organization, today announced that Jay Bigelow has joined CED as the director of entrepreneurship.

Formerly, Bigelow spent 16 years at Cary-based MicroMass Communications, Inc., the past 6 years as president and chief executive officer. During his tenure, Bigelow led the transition from a venture-backed software company to a top-25 life sciences marketing agency. Prior to MicroMass, he worked in marketing and advertising roles in companies based in Research Triangle Park and Philadelphia.


“We are pleased that Jay is part of the CED team,” said Joan Siefert Rose, CED president. “Jay has lived the entrepreneur journey. His perspective, knowledge and expertise align with our core audience. We look forward to expanding our services and programs for entrepreneurs with Jay on board.”

In his role at CED, Bigelow will focus on CED’s ‘business basics’ programs, which include:

• FastTrac TechVenture, a 10-week intensive business-planning program for early-stage entrepreneurs
• The CED Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), which connects early- and growth-stage entrepreneurs to top mentors and provides guidance and fuel for growth
• Investor Brown Bag, a series which connects local and out-of-region investors to North Carolina startups
• PitchScrub, which helps qualified entrepreneurs refine and perfect their investor pitches.

“The various programs CED offers are a tremendous suite of services available to the entrepreneurs in the region,” said Bigelow. “CED has helped thousands of companies start, build and expand their businesses. I am excited to join CED and, standing on the shoulders of giants, help grow, enhance and extend these programs.”

Registration for the fall 2012 session of FastTrac TechVenture is now open. Applications for the CED Venture Mentoring Service are reviewed on a rolling basis. Information on all of CED’s business basics programs is available at www.cednc.org.

About CED
CED’s mission is to identify, enable and promote emerging growth companies and to accelerate the entrepreneurial culture of the Research Triangle and North Carolina.