Launch Chapel Hill has joined forces with KPMG, a global leader in professional services, to unveil Launch Powered by KPMG—an AI-enabled, next-generation accelerator model open to all innovators, with or without a UNC affiliation.

Our 6 week accelerator integrates Launch’s expertise and KPMG’s extensive capabilities in providing support around their Innovation Frontiers to give companies unprecedented access to cutting-edge industry insights and enterprise connections.

Apply now for our fall cohort.

Applications for Cohort 4 opened on July 6th, and close on July 31st, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. The Cohort 4 accelerator will start on September 14 and run through October 20.

Apply now

Our innovation frontiers.

Launch Powered by KPMG is a competitive, application-based accelerator aimed at providing cohort companies at the MVP stage who are ready to pilot with enterprise customers. Selected startups will align with key frontier industries ensuring startups operate at the cutting edge of innovation.

Questions? Email us at emil@launchchapelhill.com

  • Cybersecurity, Governance, Assurance & Trust, General Applications.

  • General Robotics, Humanoid Robotics, Safety & Trusted AI, Industrial AI & Autonomous Systems, Digital Twins & Simulation, Command & Control for Disparate Systems, Human + Robot Training & Collaboration.

  • General, Quantum, Neuromorphic, Assurance.

  • Chip design, fabrication, and the hardware layer powering the AI economy.

  • Solutions for grid flexibility, demand response, and the broader energy challenge.

  • Diagnostics, life sciences platforms, and enabling technology for the industry. Therapeutics are not a fit for this program.

  • Technology that makes global supply chains more visible, adaptive, and secure.

  • Sustainability for Enterprises, Crypto & Digital Assets, and Space Economy.

What founders walk away with

Launch Chapel Hill and KPMG mentor startups through a six-week program. Our aim? At least two companies in each cohort walk away with a next step commitment from an enterprise partner.

  1. A clear, refined value proposition that resonates with their target market

  2. Refined customer discovery and a validated MVP built on real customer insight

  3. A go-to-market strategy tailored to their customer segments and early adopters

  4. A better understanding of what enterprise engagements actually require

  5. A final pitch to KPMG professionals, prospects, and mentors at Demo Day

Our application process

Apply now

July 31, 2026 — Application Deadline

Applications are open through 5:00 PM EST on July 31. Late submissions are not considered. Start the application using the button below.

August 2026 — Competitive Review

All submissions undergo a holistic review designed to identify ventures with a strong business foundation and a readiness to fully engage with every aspect of the accelerator. We strive to create a diverse and dynamic cohort that will benefit from our strategic partnership with KPMG.

August 21, 2026 — Acceptance Notification

All applicants hear back by email on or before August 21. Every applicant gets a response, accepted or not, along with next steps. Accepted teams need to confirm within a set window, so watch your inbox.

Frequently asked questions

Please click the “+” to view the answers

  • We do not. Our mission involves supporting innovators and new ventures and—thanks to our partnership with KPMG, the town, and university—we can focus on doing good not on making money.

  • No! Anyone can apply to the Fall and Spring Launch Chapel Hill accelerators—you do not have to have an affiliation with the town or campus .

    * Summer accelerators focus on student teams with at least one UNC-student founder.

  • No, Launch is intentionally focused on leveraging our deep network and delivering highly tailored, hands-on support within a select set of high-impact sectors. We believe that by concentrating our efforts, we can provide unmatched value to the startups we work with—connecting founders to industry-leading experts, early customers, and strategic capital in their space. To ensure companies gain the maximum benefit from this program, they should be aligned with the KPMG Innovation Frontiers.

  • We prioritize ventures that have passed the ideation stage and that are at the MVP (Minimum viable product) or preliminary sales stage. Having completed significant customer discovery is essential.

    You should already have a target market and completed significant customer discovery when applying to the program.

    Not sure if you meet these criteria? Reach out anytime to emil@launchchapelhill.com

  • We prioritize getting your company ready for investment, and the growth path often works differently for non-profit and not-for-profit ventures.

    And the broader instruction, networking and access the accelerator provides can help in any case.

    Let’s talk first if your venture is a non-profit or not-for-profit to ensure that we can provide you the support you’ll need.

  • Yes! All cohort members receive 1 year of free membership at the Innovate Carolina coworking space.

    Membership includes a floating desk membership with theses amenities: free wi-fi, coffee, tea, printing, and reservable conference rooms.

  • We are offering a blend of resources, industry connections, and specialized knowledge to a diverse group of companies operating across a wide variety of sectors. Each company will receive an experience that is tailored with their specific needs and growth trajectory.

    Most importantly, all cohort companies share access to KPMG’s deep industry knowledge and expansive client network to unlock high-impact pilot opportunities and connect startups with initial customers. This focus on early validation and traction allows participating companies to not only accelerate product development but also establish credibility and momentum in the market.

  • The accelerator will run for 6 weeks with a Demo Day at the end.

  • Nothing

  • We admit 10-12 teams into each cohort. Applications are very competitive.

  • Programming is concentrated on Mondays and Tuesdays each week with cohort building events integrated into the accelerator.

  • We rely on public parking around our 136 East Franklin Street location. Paid Public Parking can be found at 125 East Rosemary Street. You can also find plenty of info at Park on the Hill, and the next closest locations are the Wallace Deck, 140 East Rosemary and the Mallette Street lot behind Chipotle and the Graduate Hotel.

    All Town of Chapel Hill lots use Park Mobile for payment (in addition to credit cards and small-denomination cash)

  • We look for great founders and teams who are working on solutions to real problems and creating meaningful innovations.

    Our accelerator is rigorous, high-touch and high-impact, and with that rigor in mind, we strongly encourage lone-founders to try to assemble a team before applying.

    The best things you can do to strengthen your application are:

    * Round out your team with business, technical, and other necessary skills.

    * Ensure your product is ready for enterprise pilots/testing.

    * Help us understand your beachhead market and how we can help take your product to market.

    Remember: the aim of this accelerator is to help get enterprise customers.

  • This is primarily an in-person accelerator. We cannot overstate the value of directly sharing your experiences with others, having that support and motivation—not to mention the random insights we exchange as we’re physically co-located.

    We had some amazing all-virtual cohorts in the early covid years—and we realized in-person works better : )

    What we do now: we ask that companies attend in person whenever possible. We very strongly encourage as much in-person interaction as we can. We also understand you are running a business and the occasional conflict arises and can provide a Zoom option for most meetings.