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The Raleigh Business & Technology Center is designed to assist new and existing smaller businesses in areas critical to growth – areas such as management, marketing and financial planning – and to provide cost-effective office space and administrative services.

If you are an owner or manager of a small business, you have probably faced this situation: If you could afford better equipment and more efficient support services, you could run your business better and more profitably. The RBTC offers its tenants access to equipment and services, but unlike most other business incubator programs, our center offers a tier of services and training to everyone who becomes a member of our program.

We serve clients from all over the region, and work with all manner of business types – from construction contractors to technology firms. When it comes to strengthening businesses, everyone has similar needs, and they come to us for help meeting those needs and getting on the fast track to business success.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups, and owners of small businesses the tools and the blueprint for commercial and financial success.

Our Objectives

  • To operate the business incubator in an efficient manner and to provide tenants with management and technical assistance that will promote their business growth and capacity.
  • To develop and facilitate business support training programs targeting less advantaged businesses that are committed to growth and job creation.
  • To advocate on behalf of small businesses and to effectively disseminate new procurement opportunities and business collaborations for the local business community.
Our History
Providing small businesses the tools and blueprint for success.

In 1983, Dr. Walton Jones, then Governor Jim Hunt’s Assistant for Economic Development, led a delegation of community leaders and government officials on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit a prototype business and technology center. Others in the delegation included City Manager Dempsey Benton, Mayor Avery Upchurch and the head of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Though there was no question about wanting a similar center in Raleigh, a feasibility study following that trip was abandoned because of differing opinions regarding how it should be approached.

In 1986, the chamber sponsored an independent study, which found a high growth rate of small companies. A survey indicated that a high percentage of these small companies would have benefited from the existence of a business and technology center. In 1989, the Raleigh City Council issued a call for proposals to establish a small business incubator. Dr. Talbert O. Shaw, president of Shaw University, and Dr. Prezell R. Robinson, president of St. Augustine’s College met with City Manager Benton to discuss how the City could move forward with the project. In June of 1993, Presidents Shaw and Robinson contracted with the North Carolina Business and Technology Corporation headed by Dr. Walton Jones to assist in planning the new incubator.

A task force comprised of persons representing different segments of the Raleigh/Wake County community was appointed to assist with the project, and Presidents Shaw and Robinson served as task force co-chairs. The first phase involved a feasibility study, which was completed in December of 1993. The study found that a business and technology center was feasible because it met the following criteria:

  • Evidence of a significant number of local entrepreneurs that would benefit from such a center.
  • A suitable site on which to locate the center.
  • Funds secured to pay for construction.
  • A positive show of support on the part of local leadership

A vigorous search for capital soon followed, and by 1995 nearly $2 million was pledged to fund the core building. Due to factors too numerous to recount, the completion of construction of the RBTC occurred about three years later than projected. The grand opening was held August 31, 2000. Robert L. Bob) Robinson is the current Executive Director.

...we're here to enhance economic development -- creating jobs, income, taxes and improving community life in general."