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The Next Step to Building Your Business: Apply to the Andrews Launch Accelerator

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

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Do you have a venture that could use support? Are you an NC State student or have you graduated within the last five years? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you will want to keep reading.

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. This program provides funding, resources, mentorship and guidance to develop businesses over 12 weeks.

Starting in May, founders meet weekly with their cohort to explore and learn from a set of modules that will help them develop their venture. There are a variety of topics covered in these modules, such as customer discovery, market research and validation, financial and legal planning, pitching, launch strategy and more.

Each module is taught and coached by some of the Entrepreneurship Clinic’s top industry professionals with extensive experience across industries and growth stages. The modules also have deliverable-constrained requirements, helping to ensure that this is an experience that produces measurable results far beyond just funding the venture.

Throughout the three months, the cohort companies will be assigned Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) who have experience directly relevant to the team they are 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 summer 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.

What does the program entail?

The Andrews Launch Accelerator offers grants that typically range between $5,000-$10,000. The money is released in segments based on the completion of work in the modules and milestones met by companies throughout the program.

Beyond the non-dilutive funding, participants in the program receive other benefits, some of which are listed below…

  • Pro bono business services (legal and accounting) to support structure and function
  • Access to banking relationships
  • Access to relationships with angel investors and venture capitalist networks
  • Mentorship
  • Access to NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship Spaces

Get Started Now

The Andrews Launch Accelerator is a competitive program. We recommend exploring the application early and attending the ALA: Launch Sessions to learn more about the basics of exploring and explaining your venture opportunity.

Applications for the Andrews Launch Accelerator are open from February 1 through March 31, 2025. Top finalist teams will move on to the second round in mid-April. The final cohort will be announced in late April.

Click here to start the application.