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Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Good Ideas Become Bright Futures

Chapel Hill ranks among America’s top small cities to start a business, offering a highly supportive community dedicated to helping entrepreneurs reach their fullest potential.

Between 2024 and 2025, twenty new businesses launched in downtown Chapel Hill alone. Entrepreneurs here access world-class resources including the international, award-winning Launch Chapel Hill accelerator, grant funding and startup capital, face-to-face SCORE mentoring, and collaborative coworking spaces. And with one of the nation’s most educated talent bases, seeing your business concept or idea grow into a reality has never been closer to a reality.

#2

Most Educated Cities in the U.S. (Durham-Chapel Hill)

WalletHub, 2026
Top 250

Small Cities & Towns in the U.S. to Start a Business

WalletHub
100+

New Businesses Started in Downtown Chapel Hill Between 2015-2025

Downtown Chapel Hill
$63 Million

In Funding Achieved by Launch Chapel Hill Companies Since 2013

Launch Chapel Hill

Entrepreneurship Quick Links

Launch Chapel Hill

Access an award-winning startup accelerator and co-working hub providing the Chapel Hill startup community with strategic resources, funding connections, and community mentorship.

Visit Launch Chapel Hill

Town of Chapel Hill Small Business Support

Connect with the town’s Business Vitality Manager for personalized, direct assistance with navigating municipal permitting, finding office space, and accessing local market data.

Visit the Town Website

Innovate Carolina

Whether you’re looking for incubators, minority- or female-led business support, venture capital, or private offices, Innovate Carolina sources an abundance of resources for growing businesses.

Visit Innovate Carolina

SCORE Chapel Hill Durham

Starting a business in North Carolina? Tap into a network of certified volunteer mentors in Chapel Hill and access free, confidential coaching for new entrepreneurs.

Visit SCORE

Be a Maker (BeAM)

Access to makerspace through the University of North Carolina creates opportunities for small businesses and startups to explore ideas in a safe, controlled environment.

Visit BeAM

Let’s Talk Business in Chapel Hill

Whether you’re considering a relocation or looking to expand your in-town footprint, our business expansion team is ready to help. Reach out for confidential, comprehensive support.

One Big Family

Support for a Thriving Business Community

Frustrated by the challenges of establishing a new business? Chapel Hill facilitates the process with vast resources like Launch Chapel Hill and a supportive community that celebrates success. Join the dozens of businesses here that have become mainstays of local culture.

Since 2013, more than 200 ventures have come through Launch Chapel Hill, generating over $105 million in revenue and raising $63 million in total funding. Whether you’re an entrepreneur hoping to launch a startup or a community member eager to open your first small business, this international award-winning startup accelerator and co-working space can help you launch your business with strong support.

Launch Chapel Hill offers two primary paths depending on where you are in your journey:

  • Launch Local is designed for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents exploring a business idea, building their first product, or validating early customer demand. This 10-week accelerator provides hands-on education, mentorship, and access to a supportive local founder community to help move ideas forward.
  • Launch Powered by KPMG is a competitive, 6-week accelerator giving companies unprecedented access to cutting-edge industry insights and enterprise customers seeking their products or services. Key frontier industries include quantum computing, semiconductors and chips, crypto and digital assets, Industry 4.0, and biotech.

Applications for both programs are accepted on a rotating basis. For more information and to apply, visit Launch’s website.

Chapel Hill offers extensive free resources to help entrepreneurs thrive:

  • The Town of Chapel Hill’s Business Vitality Manager provides personalized support whether you’re looking to relocate, navigate the permitting process, grow your business, or connect with workforce talent.
  • The Chapel Hill/Durham chapter of SCORE, a national nonprofit and resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), maintains an office in the local Chamber, offering free mentorship and education to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the Research Triangle.
  • Entrepreneurs can also access the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at the University of North Carolina, which provides free counseling on accessing capital and financing, identifying new market opportunities, and developing leadership skills.

Looking for even more free resources? Innovate Carolina and the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro offer additional listings of support services, capital access, incubators, coaching, and coworking spaces for entrepreneurs in the Chapel Hill community.

Workforce & Demographics

Residents of Chapel Hill are among the most educated in the nation. Tap into an international workforce with diverse talent.

Find Talent

Sites & Incentives

Ready to see how your company fits into the Chapel Hill business community? Search sites, properties, and incentives for growing the local economy.

Search Sites

New Businesses

Need help navigating a new opening or accessing financing? The Chapel Hill Economic Development team connects your business to the right resources.

Get Started
Our Team

Here to Help

Not sure where to find an incentive application or business permit? Need insight into our local industries? Contact us and we’ll connect you to the right people and resources.

David Putnam

Economic Development Director

Sarah Potter

Business Vitality Manager

Get in Touch

Connect with Chapel Hill Economic Development to ask questions, explore opportunities, and learn more about why this community is right for you.