Programs

UNC Charlotte students work as a group with a mentor to prepare a pitch during CO-LAB's grand opening.

CEI’s programs are available to faculty, staff, students and the community. Use these icons to see which programs are best suited for you!

Students | Faculty | Staff | Community

49er Foundry

The 49er Foundry is UNC Charlotte’s student idea incubator program. This is a wholly student-focused program and exists to encourage and support students in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Program Benefits

Stipend upon program graduation
Complimentary furnished office space within the student incubator
Access to community and startup mentors
Access to amenities such as shared conference room, coffee and tea bar, shared copiers, printers
Access to funding opportunities, networking with local founders and partnership opportunities

Applying to the Program

Applications will open in Fall 2025

CEI Credential Program

Enhance your college experience with co-curricular activities that develop entrepreneurial thinking skills and make an impact through integrative and innovative learning.

CO-LAB Ventures

CO-LAB Ventures is an interactive, solutions-based signature event designed to unite students and faculty across academic disciplines to tackle real-world, industry-relevant challenges. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) and select academic colleges, this experience fosters creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation through experiential learning and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Program Benefits

Build public speaking and teamwork skills and grow their entrepreneurial mindset
Work with students and faculty from different academic colleges to gain new perspectives and build cross-functional skills.
Apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges
Access to team mentors

Applying to the Program

Applications will open in Spring 2026

Entrepreneurial Thinking Classroom Integration Program.

CEI collaborates with faculty across campus to incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into classrooms. Staff will work with faculty to integrate foundational and experiential learning into their current curriculum.

Option	Description	Format
Guest Speaker Series	CEI coordinates classroom visits by staff, alumni, student ambassadors or community leaders to share entrepreneurial experiences.	30–60 minutes, in-class session
Entrepreneurial Mindset Lesson	A one hour interactive workshop introducing the core elements of entrepreneurial thinking.	1-2 class sessions
Impact Project	A three-class experience where students form teams, generate ideas, develop solutions and deliver pitches.	3 class sessions
Engaging with the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem	An off-campus learning experience at CO-LAB or a guided workshop at the campus Makerspaces.	1 class session or lab tour

Innovation Ambassadors

CEI’s Innovation Ambassadors Program is designed to cultivate a vibrant, student-led culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and peer engagement at UNC Charlotte. The program empowers students to represent and champion entrepreneurial thinking, connect peers to resources and foster a collaborative ecosystem where bold ideas can thrive.

Program Benefits

Develop skills that will allow you to grow personally and professionally
Connect with like-minded students, faculty and local entrepreneurs while making a real impact on campus
Plan and execute campus events, pop-ups and info sessions that bring students into the entrepreneurship ecosystem
Lead classroom visits and engage in peer-to-peer mentoring
Work on real brand campaigns through CEI’s social media

Compensation

$12/hr from August to June

Applying to the Program

Applications will open in Spring 2026 Semester

Open Pitch Night

Are you a creative thinker, innovator, or future founder? Have a bold idea or want to sharpen your pitch skills? Open Pitch Night is a campus-based program that allows students to foster a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration on campus. Open Pitch Night offers students a chance to share a new idea or practice a pitch in a low-stakes, casual environment – no slides, no business plans, just bold ideas.

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