Programs

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

Area 49 + Makerspace

Area 49 is on the second floor of J. Murrey Atkins Library, and is open to all current UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff. It’s designed to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, experimentation, and exploration. These spaces provide students and researchers access to specialized equipment that enables Area 49 to serve as the catalyst for ideation, innovation, and entrepreneurial research and development.

Makerspace is designed to support:

  • Low-tech and high-tech making
  • Prototyping
  • Design thinking
  • Academic or personal projects

The space is equipped for all kinds of making, and contains equipment and materials such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, desktop CNC routers, sewing machines, paints, wood, circuitry kits, textiles and more.

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.

OptionDescriptionFormat
Guest Speaker SeriesCEI coordinates classroom visits by staff, alumni, student ambassadors or community leaders to share entrepreneurial experiences.30–60 minutes, in-class session
Entrepreneurial Mindset LessonA one hour interactive workshop introducing the core elements of entrepreneurial thinking.1-2 class sessions
Impact ProjectA three-class experience where students form teams, generate ideas, develop solutions and deliver pitches.3 class sessions
Engaging with the Entrepreneurial EcosystemAn 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.

Register for Open Pitch Night on Niner Engage. Spots may be limited, so sign up early!

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