1789 Student Venture Fund
Academic
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1789 Student Venture Fund
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Academic
The 1789 Student Venture Fund is a non-dilutive grant program operated by Innovate Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Named after UNC's founding year, the fund provides seed funding to current undergraduate and graduate students building commercial and social startups, helping them move ventures from concept to reality without giving up equity.
The fund opens applications twice per academic year: the fall cycle runs from August 15 to October 1, and the spring cycle runs from January 1 to February 15. A student-led investment committee evaluates applications and selects recipients. Venture teams are eligible to receive funding once per academic year for up to four consecutive years, with award amounts varying based on the stage of each venture and its specific project needs.
Since its 2020 launch, the 1789 Student Venture Fund has provided 163 funding awards to 137 student startups. The impact has been substantial: as of fiscal year 2025, 67 of those startups remain active, collectively generating $7.9 million in annual revenue and creating 5,676 jobs. The most recent fall 2025 cycle awarded $27,000 in combined support across 18 winning ventures, selected from a pool of 48 applicant teams.
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The 1789 Student Venture Fund aims to support student entrepreneurs at UNC Chapel Hill by providing non-dilutive funding to help them launch their ventures. The program focuses on empowering students to develop their ideas into viable businesses without the burden of equity dilution, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the university community.
Open to current undergraduate and graduate students at UNC Chapel Hill who have an existing venture or an idea for one they want to create. At least one member of each application team must be a currently enrolled UNC Chapel Hill student. Teams can apply once per academic year for up to four consecutive years.
Non-dilutive grant funding (no equity taken). Award amounts vary based on venture stage and project needs. The fall 2025 cycle distributed $27,000 across 18 teams.
There is no cost to participate in the program.
The fund opens applications twice per academic year: the fall cycle runs from August 15 to October 1, and the spring cycle runs from January 1 to February 15.
The program requires a part-time commitment from participants.
The program requires in-person participation at UNC Chapel Hill.
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