Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio (Kairos)
Runs Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio to build and capitalize digital health startups through structured programs.
The Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio, now branded Kairos, is a public-private partnership managed by Eshelman Innovation — the innovation arm of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The studio conceives, de-risks, incorporates, and capitalises digital health startups, pairing UNC-affiliated faculty innovators with student venture builders in 6-m…
Pre-seed equity investment of approximately $1 million per startup for UNC-affiliated digital health ventures, selected through a 13-week stage-gated diligence process and launched via the Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio (Kairos).
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Guides for this application
All guides →Non-Dilutive Funding vs VC for Deeptech Startups
Compare non-dilutive funding and venture capital for deeptech startups, including grants, SBIR/STTR, EIC Accelerator, dilution, timing, and stage fit.
BudgetBudget Narrative Example for Grant Proposals
See how to write a grant budget narrative with line-item examples, a template structure, weak vs strong wording, and reviewer-facing cost logic.
Start hereTRL Levels Explained for Deeptech Founders
Learn what TRL levels mean, how to estimate technology readiness, and how TRL affects grants, EIC Accelerator, SBIR/STTR, funding stage, and application evidence.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →Innovation Works Seed Fund
🇺🇸Innovation Works · United States
Funds early-stage southwestern Pennsylvania technology startups with staged equity investments and follow-on capital options.
SOSV SF (formerly IndieBio SF)
🇺🇸SOSV · United States
Invests in deep-tech startups and provides a six-month San Francisco residency with hands-on lab development support.
Seed Capital Investment Program (SCIP)
🇺🇸AEDC · United States
Invests in Arkansas technology companies with flexible financing structures through debt, equity, or royalty arrangements.
WVJIT Direct Investment Program
🇺🇸WVJIT · United States
Invests through WVJIT Direct Investment in West Virginia businesses with convertible equity or subordinated debt.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant — Investment
🇺🇸PA DCED · United States
Invests in Pennsylvania technology companies through regional partners, using convertible capital structures for growth prototyping.
VVP Launch Note
🇺🇸VIPC · United States
Offers Virginia startups a VVP Launch Note to convert into equity during later financing rounds.