University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1789 Student Venture Fund

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Carolina Angel Network

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/investor-programs/ Captured: 2026-06-26 Carolina Angel Network (CAN) — UNC-Chapel Hill Angel Network Key details: Only official angel investor network for UNC-Chapel Hill startups Engages UNC alumni network with portfolio companies Operates within UNC Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Partners with UNC School of Law and Kenan-Flagler Business School Director: Brett Luing

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Carolina Research Ventures

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/resources/get-funding/ (CRV section) Captured: 2026-06-26 Carolina Research Ventures (CRV) — Early-Stage Investment Fund Key details: Carolina Research Ventures created an early-stage investment fund (CRVIF) Provides critical discovery and development capital Goal: unlock potential of UNC technologies and advance commercialization Open to full-time and part-time UNC employees Focus on developing or commercializing UNC-created technologies

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Innovate Carolina

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/ Captured: 2026-06-26 Innovate Carolina — UNC-Chapel Hill's Central Innovation Department Key details: Central department for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at UNC-Chapel Hill Vice Chancellor / Chief Innovation Officer: Tommy Sowers (newly appointed) Provides a suite of offerings spanning the full innovation lifecycle The Junction: coworking hub at 136 E. Rosemary St, downtown Chapel Hill Technology Commercialization services Student Innovation Services (1789 Hub, Venture Fund, Luby Pitch Competition) Carolina EcoMap — ecosystem mapping platform Design Thinking programs and workshops Patent Landscaping services Social Innovation initiatives Impact Measurement tools Innovation Strategy consulting Startup Accelerators (Launch Chapel Hill, KickStart, Carolina Angel Network) Impact metrics: 4,776 invention disclosures, 1,994 patent applications, $145.9M licensing revenue, 1,426 new US patents issued Partners include Siemens Healthineers

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

KickStart Venture Services

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/startup-accelerators-and-venture-services/kickstart-venture-services/ Captured: 2026-06-26 KickStart Venture Services — Research-Based Startup Formation Key details: Founded 2008, supports research-based startup formation Provides education, early-stage funding, accelerator space KickStart Commercialization Grant Awards: $2M+ to 60+ companies KickStart Accelerator Laboratory: 7,500 sq ft in Genome Sciences Building (opened Jan 2020) Fully equipped wet labs, shared instrumentation, hot-desk seating KickStart Awards up to $50K per company, quarterly application cycles Director: Mireya McKee Team includes: Judy Prasad (associate director), Jeff Speakman (operations manager), Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Pepper Landson, Tim Hopper, Diane Ignar

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Launch Chapel Hill / Launch Powered by KPMG

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/startup-accelerators-and-venture-services/ Captured: 2026-06-26 Launch Chapel Hill — Startup Accelerator Key details: Founded 2013 through partnership between UNC-Chapel Hill, Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County Located at Innovate Carolina Junction in downtown Chapel Hill (136 E. Rosemary St) 190+ companies supported $100M+ raised collectively by portfolio companies Launch Powered by KPMG (announced 2025, launched 2026) — AI-enabled next-gen accelerator 32 companies in first year of KPMG partnership 6-week program with KPMG workshops, mentorship, enterprise connections Launch Local program for small businesses Student Summer Accelerators: 1-week Intro to Ideation, 2-week Rams to Riches Demo Day events at CED Venture Connect and Grep-a-Palooza Director: Emil Runge

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition

Source: https://innovate.unc.edu/joan-and-chester-luby-pitch-competition/ Captured: 2026-06-26 Joan and Chester Luby Pitch Competition Key details: $300K commitment from Luby Charitable Trust (2024–2026) Up to $95K/year in cash prizes By invitation only, requiring prior participation in 1789 Venture Fund, ACC InVenture Prize, or Dreamers Who Do program Two rounds: video pitch + live pitch 2025 winners: Scyntek, STEM Plug, BuckIt, Chapel Chill Tub Club, Ember Learning Nearly $200K awarded to 16 startups in first two years Luby winners raised $819K+ total 6 finalists from 12 semi-finalists, selected from 36 funded teams

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Office of Technology Commercialization

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