Launch Chapel Hill recently announced it is joining forces with KPMG, a leader in professional services, to introduce Launch, Powered by KPMG, an AI-enabled accelerator program with Launch Chapel Hill that redefines how startups transition from ideation to commercialization.
This collaboration will integrate Launch Chapel Hill’s accelerator expertise with KPMG’s extensive capabilities in AI, innovation, startup incubation, corporate venture capital, and go-to-market knowledge, providing industry insights and enterprise connections.
Unique from traditional accelerator programs, Launch, Powered by KPMG, helps startups rapidly refine their customer discovery efforts and shape pilot engagements, enabling them to get to market faster.
This collaboration looks to test, refine, and standardize this new model, making it a blueprint for other universities and corporate clients. By integrating AI automation, KPMG resources, and UNC’s startup pipeline, the program will serve as a beacon for university-corporate collaborations, unlocking $98 billion in annual university R&D spend and driving commercialization at scale.
This accelerator will focus on key frontier industries identified by KPMG, ensuring startups operate at the cutting edge of innovation. These include areas like quantum computing, semiconductor and chip innovation (Future of Compute), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and advanced AI applications, crypto and digital Assets, Industry 4.0 and automated manufacturing, humanoid robotics (AI & Robotics Convergence), and biotech and life sciences.
Launched in 2013 via collaboration between UNC-Chapel Hill and the Town of Chapel Hill, Launch Chapel Hill has been at the forefront of early-stage startup acceleration, supporting over 190 companies that have collectively raised over $100 million in funding.
As an essential part of UNC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Launch Chapel Hill has played a crucial role in fostering innovation by providing mentorship, funding, and structured pathways to market validation. And its alumni startups span various industries, from biotech and fintech to AI and clean energy, making it a powerhouse for regional and national entrepreneurial success.
KEY QUOTES:
“This collaboration is not just about acceleration—it’s about delivering tangible outcomes. Launch, Powered by KPMG will focus on helping startups refine their customer discovery process, validate market opportunities, secure pilot engagements and prepare them to scale. The accelerator will connect startups with extensive client networks at KPMG, providing direct exposure to enterprise challenges and commercialization pathways, leveraging the firm’s deep consulting experience.”
- Cliff Justice, Head of Enterprise Innovation at KPMG
“Launch Chapel Hill is collaboratively building an accelerator model to help startups at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage identify an initial pilot or customer, which will catalyze their ventures in a transformative way. Entrepreneurs in emerging technologies need innovative approaches to accelerate their companies, and great collaborations like those with KPMG and Innovate Carolina will help that become a reality.”
- Emil Runge, Director of Launch Chapel Hill
“Innovation occurs through strategic collaborations. These efforts are at the heart of potential for our success in launching and growing new ventures. I’m excited to extend the partnership that Launch Chapel Hill has been engaged in with the Town of Chapel Hill and UNC-Chapel Hill to embrace the new talents of KPMG.”
- Dedric A. Carter, PhD, MBA, Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and Chief Innovation Officer, UNC-Chapel Hill
“KPMG is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry to accelerate innovation. By integrating our enterprise insights with Chapel Hill’s dynamic startup ecosystem, we are creating a scalable, AI-enabled accelerator model—one that sets a new standard for commercialization and can be expanded to universities and corporate partners globally.”
- Brad Jenkins, Managing Director, KPMG Innovation & University Partnerships Leader
“Our goal is to create a global pipeline that accelerates startups working in these growing industries. Collaborating with industry partners like KPMG is an exciting step forward as we work to build and connect startups that will serve our communities — turning bold ideas into real-world impact.”
- Sheryl Waddell, Chair, Launch Chapel Hill
