Celebrating a Decade of Innovation at the Entrepreneurship Clinic

The NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking an extraordinary decade of fostering innovation and real-world experience for students through courses and the Andrews Launch Accelerator (ALA), which was made possible by a generous $1 million donation from Lyn and Chip Andrews to create the NC State Acceleration Fund.

The Clinic’s Impact

Over the last ten years, more than 900 students have walked through the doors of NC State’s Entrepreneurship Clinic — not just to earn course credit, but to gain confidence and experience. Together, they worked on more than 100 projects spanning local, national and international partners. The Clinic’s contributions are valued at over $700,000 to its partners, with an immeasurable impact on the students’ careers and professional growth.

Through a signature program, the Andrews Launch Accelerator, the Clinic has awarded more than $450,000 in non-dilutive funding to NC State student and alumni-founded companies. Founders receive weekly content, mentorship and guidance from a dedicated community of entrepreneurs-in-residence and advisors, helping them transform bold ideas into measurable traction.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Accelerator companies have raised over $34 million in capital and reported $15.5 million in annual revenue. But the true measure of success is in the leaders they have become — founders who not only launch companies but also build teams, create opportunities and lead with purpose.

“For the past decade, the Entrepreneurship Clinic has been a catalyst for innovation, empowering students to turn bold ideas into real-world impact,” says Dean Frank Buckless of NC State’s Poole College of Management. “Through programs like the Andrews Launch Accelerator, students gain the skills, confidence and support to become leaders who build companies and shape communities. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back — we’re setting the stage for an even more transformative future.”

A Big Celebration for 10 Years

This milestone year was showcased at the 2025 ALA Demo Day. The evening of August 19 began with a special toast in Raleigh Founded’s North Street location from Haley Huie, director of the Entrepreneurship Clinic, and Josh Guter, program manager.

With over 230 people in the crowd for the main event, Frank Buckless, dean of the Poole College of Management, welcomed the crowd and expanded on the opportunities that ALA provides for Wolfpack entrepreneurs.

Then, Lindsay Wrege, co-founder of 321 Coffee and ALA alumna, took the stage as emcee. She welcomed each of the seven teams to the stage to pitch their venture to the Clinic’s key stakeholders.

After all the pitches were complete, Chip Andrews offered valuable insights to the cohort and crowd as he emphasized the role of sales being important to founders’ success.

The event not only celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of the latest cohort but also highlighted the clinic’s enduring mission: to provide students with the hands-on experience, mentorship and support needed to turn their visions into successful ventures. As the clinic looks ahead to its next decade, events like the ALA Demo Day serve as a powerful testament to the impact it has on students and the broader startup community.

Meet the 2025 Teams