 In order to lease space on the property, a prospective "partner" must have some programmatic connection to NC State, such as collaborative research with a faculty member or the use of students for internships or part-time work.Currently, about one-third of the partners are start-up or early stage companies, many located in Centennial's Technology Incubator.Another 20% are research and development units of large corporations and the rest are small businesses, state and federal agencies, and non-profits.