On the path to startup success, founders typically raise funding from multiple sources to help grow their businesses. Securing funding can happen at any stage or throughout the company lifecycle. Funding can come in many forms, including non-dilutive grants or awards, loans, and equity financing.

Connecting your startup with these sources of funding stands at the core of KickStart’s mission and the services we provide. Read on to learn more about funding opportunities offered by KickStart and how our team has built stepping-stones to help your team secure funding at the local and national level.

Funding Opportunities

Read on to learn more about funding opportunities offered by KickStart and our network of partners. Find out how our team has built stepping-stones to help your team secure funding at the University, regional and national level.

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KickStart Commercialization Grants

KickStart Commercialization Grants seek to bridge the funding gap for new technologies. These grants are designed to help early-stage, faculty-founded companies meet commercial and technical milestones. In the past decade, KickStart has awarded more than $2 million to a variety of startups, which in turn led to more than $600 million raised. Funding proposals may include, but are not limited to: prototype development, animal studies, regulatory pathway, and freedom to operate. You can also use these grants to fund and access business experts to assist your commercial translation of concepts for novel therapeutic small molecules, biologics, diagnostics, devices, or digital health.

You are encouraged to reach out to KickStart prior to applying to ensure the funding opportunity objectives and solicitation are aligned. Requests for applications (RFAs) are solicited on a quarterly basis from faculty founders. Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on company needs and reviewer feedback. Read the request for applications.

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Micro-Start Projects

In addition to the KickStart Awards, KickStart also offers funding for specific projects related to business development through Micro-Start Projects. These projects vary widely from startup to startup, but are typically capped at $5,000 per company. Our team is always open to new ideas founders and encourages you to reach out if you have a project in mind. We will also work with newly formed companies to offer suggestions for projects and connections to potential consultants and service providers. Our team and a core group of award reviewers carefully evaluates applications for Micro-Start Projects on a case-by-case basis.

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STTR/SBIR Grant Services

Once launched, your IP-based startup can access many growth-focused programs. Through partnerships with Grant Engine, Eva Garland Consulting, and InteliSpark, KickStart can support your pursuit of Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants offered via NIH. These partnership allow us to help you with the following activities:

  • Registering the company with the appropriate agencies
  • Assisting with writing the grant proposal
  • Recruiting experts to review the proposal
  • Submitting the proposal

IP-based startups emerging from the innovative work of UNC faculty often gain substantial early funding through NIH programs, including STTR/SBIR programs. Initial Phase 1 grants range from $150,000 to $300,000 per award and are frequently the first source of funding for research-based startups. KickStart may award up to $4,000 for Phase I assistance and up to $8,000 for Phase II and Fast-Track assistance. UNC startups interested in SBIR/STTR grant application support will go through a competitive selection process before being funded. The criteria for receiving support includes:

  • Startup must be based on UNC IP (does not need to be licensed) or a UNC research innovation
  • No previous SBIR/STTR support from KickStart (unless on a new topic or approved by team)

Our goal in providing grant writing resources is to ensure that UNC companies have a strong foundation on which to maximize their commercial potential. If you are interested in SBIR/STTR support from KickStart, please apply here.

KickStart accepts applications for grant writing support on a rolling basis throughout the year.

UNC-Affiliated Investors

Carolina Angel Network (CAN) brings together the UNC entrepreneurial community and the UNC alumni network to empower the early-stage businesses that drive our future. Once funded by CAN, portfolio companies have access to a wealth of guidance, potential board members, and advice from a network of nearly 200 members. In addition to connecting startups to accredited angel investors, CAN and its members also provide mentoring support for companies not yet ready for funding by the network.

Carolina Research Ventures Fund (CRVF) ensures that startups and other University-sourced companies can fully develop and deploy technology generated here. Launch by the University, CRVF has created an early-stage investment fund to provide critical discovery and development capital. The goal of CRVF is to unlock the potential of UNC-Chapel Hill technologies and advance commercialization by providing early-stage capital and industry expertise.

Funding from Government, Foundation and Nonprofit Organizations

  • North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech) offers several funding programs designed to fill gaps in technology development and company growth. Funding from NCBiotech helps researchers and companies conduct critical studies and reach significant development milestones that enable them to attract follow-on funding.

  • NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, also known as America’s Seed Fund, are one of the largest sources of early-stage capital for technology commercialization in the United States.

  • NC IDEA SEED offers companies the critical funding they need to scale faster to gain customers and attract further investment. NC IDEA SEED provides grant funding to innovative startups, typically between proof of concept and profitability.

    KickStart accepts applications for grant writing support on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Funding from Private Investors and Partners

Many UNC startups have been funded through equity investments. We continue to maintain relationships with these investors. In addition,  KickStart has strong relationships with a number of local investors:

  • Hatteras Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that builds transformational companies in the areas of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare IT, and related opportunities in human medicine.

  • Pappas Capital is focused exclusively on investing in the life sciences sector across the United States and Canada. Their entire team works closely with portfolio companies and investors to deliver superior results for everyone involved.

In addition, KickStart attends and sponsors UNC startups to attend specific conferences/events, including: