Founded in 1999, Carolina Entrepreneurial Fellows (CEF) connects local entrepreneurial ventures with MBA students at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Since its inception, over 100 UNC students have worked summer internships with local start-up companies. The CEF program recognizes that local start-ups significantly profit from MBA students’ help and expertise in developing business plans and strategies yet sometimes struggle with funds to pay these students. By providing up to 50% of the funding, local firms can receive students’ expertise at a fraction of the market cost. Students also benefit from the CEF program as it provides a first-hand exposure to new ventures and allows them an experiential summer learning opportunity.
Fellows come from a variety of industry and functional backgrounds. They are selected based on their demonstrated entrepreneurial ability and passion and assist companies over the internship in a variety of ways, including:
- Business plans for new venture, product or service
- Financial models
- Market and industry research
- Feasibility studies
- Marketing, sales and implementation plans
- Venture pitch for next round of funding
- Business strategy consulting
