Chapel Hill · NC Tweener Community Hub

Chapel Hill

A university-powered startup hub fueled by research, creativity, and innovation from UNC and beyond.

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Welcome to Chapel Hill!

Welcome to Chapel Hill, a vibrant, research-driven startup community built around the energy of UNC. From university resources to emerging studios and collaborative workspaces, Chapel Hill blends academic insight with entrepreneurial spirit. This guide helps you explore the people, programs, and places that make Chapel Hill a launchpad for new ideas.

Co-Working Spaces

Collaborative spaces around Downtown, Glen Lennox, and East Franklin.

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Downtown Chapel Hill

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East Franklin / Blue Hill District

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Glen Lennox / 54 Corridor

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UNC Resources

Entrepreneurship centers, research labs, and student/faculty programs.

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Innovate Carolina⁠

- UNC Chapel Hill’s department for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

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Carolina Angel Network⁠

- We Connect UNC Alumni and Friends to UNC Startups

Programs serving university-affiliated and early-stage companies.

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Venture Catalyst Program⁠

- This program provides startups with business support and entrepreneurial fellows with direct experiences translating scientific, technological and social-driven ideas into the market.

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KickStart Grant Awards Program⁠

- The KickStart Grant-Awards Program helps early-stage companies meet commercial milestones, either on the technical side (prototype development, animal studies) or on the business side (regulatory pathway, market opportunity).

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KickStart Accelerator⁠

- Faculty who are ready to launch a startup have a cost-friendly option just a few steps from their on-campus labs.

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Eshelman Institute for Innovation⁠

- Eshelman Innovation is an emerging innovation engine that moves groundbreaking healthcare therapeutics and digital health ideas to reality.

Are you looking for specialized funds focused on universities? We have that too:

Specialized Focus⁠

Communities & Meetups

Founder groups, networking nights, and educational events are in our

Tweener calendar⁠

searchable by city.

Stay up-to-date with the latest startup events and networking opportunities in the Triangle by subscribing to the Triangle Tweener Calendar!

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Subscribe to the Tweener Calendar

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Are you a Chapel Hill native and see something missing?

Let us know!⁠

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Take me to the hub homepage⁠