Andrews Launch Accelerator

Andrews Launch Accelerator Applications Are Closed

Check back in February.

The Andrews Launch Accelerator helps NC State founders turn their visions into reality.

The NC State Acceleration Fund is the product of a $1,000,000 donation from Lyn and Chip Andrews. Through the fund, we allocate equity-free seed capital to startups that complete the Andrews Launch Accelerator.

The purpose of the Accelerator is to give NC State founders the opportunity to jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey. We provide founders with funding, resources and guidance to take their startups to the next level.

During our 14-week summer program, NC State startup founders get to work on their concepts and build their companies. The program is structured with learning modules that steer companies in the right direction.

Each module covers key entrepreneurial topics such as customer discovery, product development and fundraising. The modules end with our Demo Day where companies get to pitch to the top investors in the Raleigh-Durham area.

25+ companies

Have participated in the Andrews Launch Accelerator

Over 3 MM in revenue

Generated by ALA companies

Up to $15,000

Participating startups typically receive between $5,000 and $15,000 in equity-free grants

Program Details and FAQs

Startups receive, on average, $5-$10k in equity-free grants. The amount awarded will be determined by the Accelerator committee on a case-by-case basis.

The meetings vary between dedicated team meetings, where subject matter experts decompose critical subjects and strategies that companies can leverage and one-on-one development sessions. Additionally, the Accelerator brings accomplished entrepreneurs and investors every week that will share their take on how our startups can achieve success.

The program concludes with “Demo Day,” in which the cohort pitch their company in front of the Raleigh community and investors in late August.

In addition to non-dilutive capital, grant recipients may receive the following:

Up to $10,000 in Amazon Web Services credits
Pro bono business services (legal and accounting) to support structure and formation
Access to banking relationships
Access to angel investment & venture capitalist networks
Mentorship
Talent acquisition/recruiting services
Access to the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic space

Any team with an NC State team member qualifies for funding and participation. At least one team member must be an NC State undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent alumni (up to 5 years from graduation) from any NC State program.

At least one founder of every team needs to commit to attending in person all the Accelerator Modules.

Meet Our Entrepreneurs

Explore eight start-up companies chosen to complete the Andrews Launch Accelerator summer program.

Meet the 2024 Cohort

Wilson College of Textiles Sponsors a Team in the Andrews Launch Accelerator Sparking a New Partnership in Innovation

The purpose of the Accelerator is to give NC State founders the opportunity to jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey. This year, the accelerator is partnering with the Wilson College of Textiles to fund a textile Technology alumni,
Catalina del Risco, the founder of Modi, which solves gender-neutral fashion’s sizing problem.

Learn more about Modi

Startups Pitch Plans at Andrews Launch Accelerator Demo Day

Trainees from NC State’s Entrepreneurship Clinic — housed in Poole College — had a chance to pitch their startups to a crowd of students, investors and innovators.

Learn more about student startups

Andrews Launch Accelerator