Applications Open for the Andrews Launch Accelerator

Are you a student or recent NC State alumni (within 5 years) working on a venture that could use support? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

The Andrews Launch Accelerator 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 through the Andrews Launch Accelerator.

Our goal with the program is to give NC State students the opportunity to jumpstart their entrepreneurial journeys. We provide funding, resources, and guidance to grow your company.

 “The speakers talked about all the things we’re focused on and thinking about- from sales to investment to constantly testing different things.”

Immersed in Innovation

The 14-week summer program (starting in May and ending in August) takes place in downtown Raleigh at NC State’s Entrepreneurship Clinic. The program is composed of a set of modules that provide companies with information that helps them breakthrough to the next stage of their venture.

Each of these modules cover key concepts containing information on topics such as customer discovery, market research and validation, financial planning, legal planning, pitching, launch strategy, and more. 

The modules deliver strategy and insights from some of the Entrepreneurship Clinic’s highest value industry professionals with extensive experience across industries and growth stages. The modules also have requirements related to external work, helping ensure the program is more than a checkbox on a ventures list for funding, but rather an experience that creates impact. 

Throughout the 3-month program, the cohort companies will also be assigned Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) who have experience directly relevant to the team they’re assigned. These EIRs will meet with the teams frequently to provide direct coaching and advice to the companies based on their specific needs.

At the conclusion of the three-month accelerator program, the grant recipients will pitch their concepts and progress to industry and community leaders as well as investors during the Andrews Launch Accelerator Demo Day, the largest event hosted by the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic. 

Support from ALA

The Andrews Launch Accelerator offers grants that typically range between $5,000 -$15,000. The money is released through tranches based on the completion of the modules and milestones throughout the program.

Additionally, participants in the program have seen other rewards such as these listed below.

• Up to $10,000 in Amazon Web Services
• Pro bono business services (legal and accounting) to support structure and formation
• Access to banking relationships
• Access to angel investment and venture capitalist networks
• Mentorship
• Talent Acquisition/recruiting services
• Access to NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship spaces

ALA Companies Have Generated Over $3M+

The program has impacted a number of NC State’s best companies so far. To hear a bit more about what they’ve had to say, take a look below at some of the comments from our most recent cohort:

“We were extremely lucky to have the perfect match with our EIR. I don’t think it could have been any better.”

“Impressive quality of speakers! The speaker sessions always energized and stimulated me.“

“I think the group that was brought in was quite diverse in their knowledge and expertise, all of them were willing to meet afterwards and answer questions when I reached out as well.“

“The speakers talked about all the things we’re focused on and thinking about- from sales to investment to constantly testing different things.”

The Application

The application will be open until March 31st.

The Entrepreneurship Clinic be hosting a series of sessions that give a sample of the modules explored in ALA and to help answer questions about the application process and what may make your application more competitive.

For questions, please reach out to Josh Guter.