What We Do

WHERE INNOVATION-DRIVEN ENTREPRENEURS ACCELERATE BUSINESS GROWTH

Ventureprise is best for a select group of innovation-driven, high potential ventures that:

• Value the benefits of interactions with like-minded entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and university faculty and students
• Have a business that is scalable in national or global markets, with significant job and wealth creation potential
• Seek sustainable competitive advantage through innovative technologies, business processes or business models
• May desire to leverage university expertise and resources

Our Facilities

Ventureprise operates in the new 96,000 square foot Portal Building on the campus of UNC Charlotte. The open atrium design provides an interactive environment for entrepreneurs who value interactions with fellow entrepreneurs and access to a research-rich community. The center offers private secure single offices, suites and multi-office suites to accomodate varying work space needs for startup and early growth stage ventures. Spaces are pre-wired for Internet and telephone services, and can be rented furnished. Shared resources such as conference rooms, lobby and reception, kitchen, mail and video equipment make Ventureprise an efficient and cost effective place for businesses.

Our Initiatives

Ventureprise initiatives complement the innovation services offered. By connecting entrepreneurs, corporations and academic leaders, Ventureprise creates networking opportunities that facilitate the innovative thinking needed to accelerate business growth and commercial success.

Charlotte Venture Challenge (CVC)
The Charlotte Venture Challenge is a business competition for early-stage, high potential companies. The competition had a history of showcasing the Southeast's most successful early-stage companies. CVC has been the launch point for hundreds of companies and has awarded a quarter of a million dollars in prizes. Visit www.charlotteventurechallenge.com to learn more.

Charlotte Venture Launch
Early customer discovery is the foundation for identifying scalable and profitable business models. Ventureprise guides founders through the customer discovery process modeled on proven best practices such as the National Science Foundation's I-Corps. Create your compelling business model-- vetting out opportunity assessments and finding the best and ready customers -- with the help of Ventureprise. Charlotte Venture Launch is a multi-week, high intensity, focused effort for innovators and inventors to determine if and idea is worth pursuing.

Innovation Connection
The innovation Connection is the keystone programs of Ventureprise that gathers constituents interested in specific technology and industry topics. Aimed at promotion open idea exchange between innovation-based entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and thought leading academics, there is no other forum like it in the region. Innovation Connection participants are invited based on their interest and expertise relative to each program's topic. Current topics, which typically emphasize Charlotte regions clusters and UNC Charlotte research expertise, can be found at ventureprise.org

Student Incubator
The Student Business Incubator assists UNC Charlotte junior, senior and graduate students in completing a business opportunity assessment. The assessment determines if the idea is worth pursuing and identifies activities required to move toward a successful business. The Student Business Incubator offers shared, furnished workspace for multiple student ventures. Companies have access to services including wireless Internet, conference rooms and office equipment. The space supports business-oriented social interaction and networking.