Mentoring
Eship Scholars
The Eship Scholars program was created to celebrate and support students from backgrounds and identities underrepresented in entrepreneurship* who display the drive and qualities of a successful entrepreneur, but who may not self-identify as an entrepreneur. Read about our inaugural cohort here!
Scholars receive a fellowship award of up to $5,000 which they can use for their business or personal expenses. This support helps students focus on reaching their entrepreneurial goals. This program also connects these high-potential student entrepreneurs with mentorship, coaching, and connections from industry experts. This results in students being able to invest in their own self-development, launch successful careers and/or ventures, and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey on their own unique path.
Funding for this program was made possible through the NC IDEA Ecosystem Grant.
*including but not restricted to women, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, and other non-European minorities, first-generation college students, and LGBTQIA+.
Ask an Innovator
Ask an Innovator–a partnership between the EShip Center and Innovate Carolina– lets Eship students and community members connect directly with our community of innovators with questions about their idea, venture or career path. One of our experts will reply directly to your inbox!
Coaches’ Corner
Coaches’ Corner offers students the opportunity to connect directly with alumni entrepreneurs for 30-minute virtual coaching sessions about your ventures and ideas. Sessions, which can lead to long-term mentoring opportunities, are scheduled over a three-week time span.
Guided by the Eship Center’s alumni entrepreneurial coaches, students are able to properly prepare and follow up with your alumni mentor so you can optimize the time and expertise of the coach you are matched with. This opportunity is open to any UNC student, of any level of experience, who applies to speak with an alumni entrepreneur.
Chats with Chi
Not sure where to get started? Want to talk through a business idea with an experienced entrepreneur who knows the UNC entrepreneurship ecosystem? Schedule a virtual coaching session with our Entrepreneurship Coach, Chijioge Nwogu (Chi), and get connected to resources you need to create a winning game plan! Sign up for a session with Chi by filling out the Contact Us form on our website and Chi will be in touch.
Apprentice Program (formerly the Adams Apprenticeship)
The Apprentice Program is a year-long experience that builds entrepreneurial skills and mindset for more than 30 of UNC’s top potential entrepreneurs. We leverage our always expanding advisor network and deep bench of UNC resources to help students discover your unique entrepreneurial path and become entrepreneurial leaders who are positive change agents in the world.
The Apprentice Program is uniquely focused on developing the entrepreneur, not a business or business idea that a student may be creating. The knowledge gained by apprentices during their experience will serve them over the course of their lifetime and throughout many businesses.
In July 2020, we made the decision to pause the Apprentice Program for one year. As in many universities and entrepreneurial programs, COVID has thrown a curve ball into our plans. We’ve seen a reduction in our budgets for the 2020-2021 academic year. Coupled with the fact that our five-year funding for this program ended in 2020, we need to take a year off.
We are optimistic about our ability to re-imagine this program and find the funding that will enable us to relaunch next year. For more information, see this statement from our Executive Director.
The Apprentice Program is special. It shapes the entrepreneurial careers of students, helps them shift and grow as humans, and impacts their lives in countless ways. We are actively seeking funding partners who are as passionate about continuing this work as we are. If you would like to get more involved in our efforts, contact Jill Willett for more information.
The Apprentice Program is special. It shapes the entrepreneurial careers of students, helps them shift and grow as humans, and impacts their lives in countless ways.