CUBE innovators move their ideas into action

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July 27, 2018
By Brock

From fighting food insecurity to providing culturally-appropriate mental health to aiding refugee communities, students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill don’t shy away from tackling some of the biggest social problems. And their passion was on full display during a celebration event, where the latest group of students participating in the UNC Campus Y’s CUBE social innovation incubator shared their lessons learned and presented venture prototypes. The event gave gave students a forum to share how they’ve advanced their ideas while participating in the CUBE’s summer accelerator program.

CUBE summer accelerator students
CUBE summer accelerator students
Students Abbey Cmiel, Adina Girmay and Duncan Richey present their venture Nourish, which aims to address food insecurity on campus
Students Abbey Cmiel, Adina Girmay and Duncan Richey present their venture Nourish, which aims to address food insecurity on campus
Maria Peralta works with the Papusas for Education team to provide college scholarships to undocumented students
Maria Peralta works with the Papusas for Education team to provide college scholarships to undocumented students
Judith Cone, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development, discusses social innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill
Judith Cone, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development, discusses social innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill
Student team Andrea Barnes, Angel Chin and Destiny Talley created Project uPGrade to improve college readiness for all students
Student team Andrea Barnes, Angel Chin and Destiny Talley created Project uPGrade to improve college readiness for all students
Salma Baig leads Project Believe in its effort to ensure minority communities can receive culturally-appropriate mental health care
Salma Baig leads Project Believe in its effort to ensure minority communities can receive culturally-appropriate mental health care
Ariel Washington started the organization TrIPLe to help reform zero-tolerance policies in schools
Ariel Washington started the organization TrIPLe to help reform zero-tolerance policies in schools
Student: Anum Imran; Venture: Traditional Kitchens; Focus: Social connection and economic empowerment for refugee women
Student: Anum Imran; Venture: Traditional Kitchens; Focus: Social connection and economic empowerment for refugee women
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Jane Tullis created FairEd, an organization that help underserved students access the college admissions resources they need
Jane Tullis created FairEd, an organization that help underserved students access the college admissions resources they need
Student: Ariel Washington (left)
Student: Ariel Washington (left)
Student: Duncan Richey
Student: Duncan Richey
Judith Cone, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development
Judith Cone, vice chancellor for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development
Laura Fieselman, CUBE program manager
Laura Fieselman, CUBE program manager
Student team from Nourish: Abbey Cmiel, Adina Girmay and Duncan Richey; Venture: Nourish; Focus: Food insecurity on campus
Student team from Nourish: Abbey Cmiel, Adina Girmay and Duncan Richey; Venture: Nourish; Focus: Food insecurity on campus
Students: Salma Baig, Jane Tullis and Ariel Washington
Students: Salma Baig, Jane Tullis and Ariel Washington

As part of the Innovate Carolina network at UNC-Chapel Hill, the CUBE has supported nearly 30 teams of social innovators over the past five years as they put their ideas for solving the world’s greatest problems into practice. This spring, the cohort took a new course, PLCY 490 Designing for Impact: Social Enterprise Lab, taught by Melissa Carrier, professor of the practice in public policy, and Laura Fieselman, CUBE program manager. The teams have subsequently put their ideas into practice through the CUBE summer accelerator. During this learning launch, CUBE participants have co-worked full time on their ventures and participated in activities and trainings on social venturing. Learn more about their prototypes’ progress below.

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