Summer 2024 Accelerator applications have opened (check the Summer Accelerator page for info and details)
Applications close at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 26 — We expect decisions by the end of UNC’s Reading Day
More News
Our Mission
Launch Chapel Hill: a startup accelerator and community of innovators where we value and support all people to encourage innovative thinking, individual empowerment, community outreach, economic development, and impactful change that lifts us all.
We very gratefully rely on a vast network of founders, mentors, coaches, advisors, partners, alumni, supporters and community members. Please look around this site, reach out to us, and consider stopping by 306 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC
Launch Chapel Hill, an international award-winning startup accelerator and co-working space founded in 2013, owes our existence to the incredible generosity of, and amazing partnership among, the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, and the University of North Carolina
In ten years, Launch companies have generated more than $105 million in revenue and raised $63 million in total funding. Our alumni ventures employ at least 802 people, including 684 in North Carolina and 435 in Orange County.
-
197 Ventures
Have come through the Launch Chapel Hill accelerators since 2013
-
4,105 People
Work at Launch Chapel Hill alumni companies in 2023
-
$91.1 million
Investment in Launch Chapel Hill alumni companies (since 2013)
-
$99.3 million
Revenue generated by Launch Chapel Hill alumni companies in 2023
Special thanks to Launch alum Dan Burke of BritishTaxi
Our Statement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Allyship
Across our operations at Launch Chapel Hill—accelerator, co-working space, community of innovators and citizens of the world—we welcome people of all kinds, strive to foster a community where every individual feels valued on her/his/their own terms, and celebrate diversity as loudly as we can. We also encourage the free exchange of ideas as a kind of education in which all participants embrace kindness, open-mindedness and learning without animosity. We have some work to do, and we are committed to that work. Please join us in our efforts.
-
Startup Accelerator
-
Community Member
“We are using our research, knowledge and expertise that we create here at UNC to make a difference and have an impact in our community. Innovate Carolina is committed to doing everything we can to continue to support entrepreneurship and future collaborations.”
— Michelle Bolas, UNC’s former Chief Innovation Officer
“Launch was a dream we had and is an exciting aspect of economic development in Chapel Hill. It’s important to grow and continue this work. Combined with the great work done by Innovate Carolina, we have a bright future.”
— Dwight Bassett, Economic Development Director, Town of Chapel Hill
“Every year we have 2-3 cohorts of companies and get the opportunity to surround them with resources to help them thrive. The companies in our most recent cohort have been working extremely hard, and they’re focused on solutions to problems that will not only create an economic impact, but also improve the quality of life for many people.”
— Sheryl Waddell, Director of Economic Development and Innovation Hubs
Easy Access to:
Smarts: UNC Chapel Hill (the nation’s oldest public university) and other top-tier colleges and universities across NC (the nation’s largest concentration of PhDs)
Quality of Life: hospitable people, great food, active social scenes, welcoming environments, moderate climate, minimal urban fuss, reasonable cost of living, nationally accomplished college and pro sports teams, more!
Support: the broader, nationally ranked, central-NC startup ecosystem of founders, funders, doers and dreamers and a cooperative spirit that is without equal anywhere in the US.
Access: RDU airport (so easy!) and the Research Triangle Park (the nation’s largest research park) which houses scores of prestigious multinational companies, think-tanks and research institutes
Unbeatable Nature: beautiful beaches 2 hours east, stunning mountains 3 hours west, and an amazing mix of urban and rural, contemporary and historical communities from end-to-end