Sponsorship
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Sponsor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill once and your brand appears on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill page and across every one of its programs and student-startup pages — not just this page.
Innovate Carolina
Also known as: Innovate Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Innovate Carolina is UNC-Chapel Hill's central department for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, led by Vice Chancellor and Chief Innovation Officer Tommy Sowers. It manages all I&E programming, infrastructure, and commercialization for the university, operating from the Innovate Carolina Junction (136 E. Rosemary St, downtown Chapel Hill).
Quick fit check
- Indirect support only
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Equity
None
Application
Ongoing
Institution Wide
Last activity
2026-06-26
High confidence
Key Details
- Leadership: Tommy Sowers, Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development / Chief Innovation Officer
- Location: Innovate Carolina Junction, 136 E. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill
- Impact: 4,776 invention disclosures, 1,994 patent applications, $145.9M licensing revenue, 1,426 new US patents, 200+ IP-based startups
- Infrastructure: Junction coworking hub, KickStart Accelerator Lab (7,500 sq ft), Launch Chapel Hill
Programs Under Innovate Carolina
- 1789 Hub & Student Venture Fund (student seed funding)
- Joan & Chester Luby Pitch Competition ($95K/year)
- Launch Chapel Hill / Launch Powered by KPMG (community accelerator)
- KickStart Venture Services (faculty research startups)
- Carolina Angel Network (angel investment)
- Carolina Research Ventures (early-stage investment)
- Office of Technology Commercialization (tech transfer)
- Venture Catalyst Program (mentorship)
- Student Innovation Services
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Innovate Carolina at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
1 source
