As we enter into another new year, Launch Chapel Hill is launching its own new exciting announcements and events.
Launch is arguably best known for its award-winning startup accelerator, which, since its founding in 2013, has seen participating companies generate more than $105 million in revenue. Its existence is made possible by the partnership between the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County and the University of North Carolina.
But with the launch of its new space and a new executive director, 2024 has some bigger things in store for Launch and its entrepreneurial community.
While Launch temporarily set up shop in a sixth-floor space in the now fully constructed Innovate Carolina Junction building in February 2023, they’ve now permanently moved to a spot on the ground floor. Its new office space is perfect for welcoming its new executive director, Ian Baltutis, who officially came aboard last month. Baltutis is a seasoned entrepreneur in multiple avenues who also served three terms as the mayor of Burlington, N.C.
While in his new role, Baltutis will focus primarily on strategy in expanding Launch’s entrepreneurial ecosystem development, hopefully to enhance the program’s impact in Chapel Hill, Orange County and across the state.
Launch has also opened applications for the Spring 2024 startup accelerator, a 12-14 week program that supports startup ventures and entrepreneurs that includes workshops, training, networking opportunities and community support. This cohort will be the program’s 24th, just in time for the beginning of ‘24. The deadline to apply is one week from today on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m.
Tim Flood, who had served as Launch’s interim executive director—among his multiple other hats—has stepped into a new role, focusing exclusively on the accelerator. He encourages any entrepreneur in any stage of their company’s life to apply and try out the accelerator, as it opens doors to a vast community of resources and networks.
“The town, county and campus have relieved us from the burden of having to worry about keeping up with finances or finding our own unicorn,” Flood said. “They helped us tremendously to stick with our core values of just uplifting people and their work.”
Launch is inviting the Triangle entrepreneurial ecosystem to come and celebrate a decade of innovation from its program. They are hosting a “Celebrate Founders” event on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5-7 p.m., where guests can expect food and drinks, tons of networking opportunities and stories from founders. You can RSVP for the free event here.
According to the Launch website, this event is more than just a gathering or anniversary celebration. It can act as a beacon of entrepreneurial success and a look toward the future of innovation. Flood even teases that some of the founders may include previous Launch accelerator alumni.
“The founders provide neat examples of how to be an entrepreneur,” Flood said. “We’ll have people who might be super scrappy, someone who is trying to keep striving and just meets every adversity with a smile, somebody who’s an incredible mentor—they’ve just all given back a million different ways and they are people who are mission-driven and want to do good in the world.”
The event will be hosted in Launch’s new homebase at Innovate Carolina Junction, located on 136 East Rosemary St #100. The location is also accessible from 137 East Franklin St, beside Wheat restaurant.
Flood has been with Launch since its conception and he doesn’t see himself leaving anytime soon. As a professor of management communications at Kenan-Flagler Business School, he sees the entrepreneurial strength and rigor from within his classrooms and within Launch’s accelerators. He encourages anyone with questions or just wants to talk about Launch, its accelerator and more to contact him at tim@launchchapelhill.com.
“With the accelerator, it’s the same kind of mechanism and stuff like when I teach,” Flood said. “But it’s with all new people. And they’re coming out with new eyes, experiences and perspectives. And I learn as much from everybody else as I teach along the way.”
