Innovate Carolina

Innovate Carolina is pleased to announce the formation of a National Academy of Inventors (NAI) chapter at UNC-Chapel Hill. Carolina has a years-long relationship with NAI, united by a shared commitment to advancing innovation and honoring influential inventors. NAI comprises more than 250 universities and governmental and non-profit research institutes across the globe and includes more than 4,000 individual inventor members. Read more at https://ow.ly/Hnze50UkVjU Register for the Inaugural Member Induction Ceremony. All are welcome to join: https://lnkd.in/eNx8KDJg

Congratulations to Virnika and WeyeZE for being named NC IDEA SEED grant recipients! Virnika, based in Chapel Hill, is revolutionizing restaurant operations with AI-powered solutions, while Greenville's WeyeZE is transforming vision care with its self-correcting glasses kit. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/x2Vr50UcZ9n #uncstartups #innovationmatters

Earlier this month, Launch Chapel Hill alum and nonprofit we are hosted its Educators of Color Caucus, uniting Durham educators for a night of connection and dialogue. Leaders shared efforts to support and celebrate educators of color, including initiatives like 'We Are Queens' and 'We Are Kings,' which foster equity and cultural affirmation in Durham Public Schools. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/yaaw50UcYRK #innovationmatters

Every second counts during a cardiac emergency. Thanks to advocacy from UNC’s Dr. Jessica Zègre-Hemsey and Dr. David Hemsey, Chapel Hill has installed 24/7 accessible AEDs in local parks, ensuring lifesaving technology is available when it matters most. These devices, placed in visible locations like Cedar Falls and Homestead Parks, are easy to use and supported by CPR and AED training from the Chapel Hill Fire Department. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/31z250UcbHV #innovationmatters

Join us for a Lunch & Learn with SBTDC Business Counselor Bill Rollinson to explore practical strategies for motivating your team and boosting retention without breaking the bank. This interactive session will cover how engagement impacts productivity and retention, cost-effective strategies like flexible schedules and personalized recognition, and how to create an actionable engagement plan tailored to your business. You’ll leave with tools, templates, and clear steps to enhance employee engagement in the next month or quarter. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/Ej3250UbbKU #innovationmatters

Innatrix has been named a finalist for the 2024 NC TECH Awards in the AgTech Company of the Year category! The UNC-affiliated startup is recognized for its outstanding contributions to North Carolina’s technology sector. The winner will be announced live on December 3rd at the Raleigh Convention Center. Congratulations to Innatrix on this well-deserved recognition! Video Credit: Innatrix.com Learn more here: https://ow.ly/YsAf50U9tFG #uncstartups #innovationmatters

In 2024, Carolina startups transformed groundbreaking research and bold ideas into thriving ventures, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and delivering social impact across North Carolina and beyond. Congratulations to our startups—together, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation! Learn more here: https://ow.ly/GW8v50U8e2m #innovationmatters

UNC SILS Assistant Professor Willie Payne is transforming music education by making it more accessible for low-vision and blind musicians. From his roots in jazz and electronic music to his work developing accessible music notation software, Payne’s journey reflects a dedication to inclusivity. At UNC, he leads projects creating tactile graphics and studying large-print notation’s impact on musical identity. By centering design around those often excluded, Payne believes we can create solutions that benefit everyone. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/cbsg50U7p9u #innovationmatters

UNC-Chapel Hill neuroscientists are pioneering a device that monitors arousal metrics like heart rate, breathing, and pupil size in real time. Created by Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera, Dr. Nicolas Pégard, and Ellora McTaggart, this innovation, called "ocular photometry," could transform psychiatric care and VR by providing real-time insights into physiological states. With support from Innovate Carolina's Patent Landscaping and Market Research, KickStart – I-CORPS, and Venture Catalyst Fellows program, this groundbreaking technology is now being developed for clinical use through Carolina Instruments, the UNC-affiliated startup they co-founded to bring these insights to researchers and clinicians. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/O40O50U6p2x #uncstartups #innovationmatters

The Meantime Coffee Co., Chapel Hill’s student-run nonprofit café, has opened its new, second location at Innovate Carolina Junction! Meantime at the Junction offers sustainable, locally sourced products and empowers UNC students while giving back to the community. Innovate Carolina is thrilled to have this café in our space, where members and visitors can now connect, collaborate, and spark new ideas over a cup of coffee. Stop by and experience this exciting new chapter for Meantime and the Junction! Learn more here: https://ow.ly/aX8N50U5zB6 #innovationmatters