by University Communications, UNC-Chapel Hill June 2, 2021 .
CHAPEL HILL – Named one of the most innovative universities in the world by Reuters, it’s no surprise that Carolina is home to hundreds of startups and growing businesses.
In the past six decades, nearly 800 companies have been founded by Tar Heels taking their ideas from classrooms and research labs to the marketplace to earn a profit, make a social impact and create jobs.
But a thriving business doesn’t just happen overnight.
That’s where Launch Chapel Hill comes in. A startup incubator and coworking space on Franklin Street, the program is helping local entrepreneurs and young businesses get their ideas off the ground.
Velvet Nelson, the director of Launch Chapel Hill, discusses how the startup accelerator and coworking space formed out of a partnership between Carolina, the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County is helping the local economy.