Venture Builder

Hiring for our Fall 2025 sprint is now complete. However, we welcome interest for future sprints and other upcoming opportunities. We’ll be in touch if a suitable role becomes available.

Part-Time Venture Builder - Hybrid
8-10 hours per week
$15/hour

Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio is reimagining digital health venture creation—combining breakthrough faculty research, entrepreneurial talent, and the power of generative AI. Our mission is to launch high-growth startups that drive better patient outcomes and improve health system efficiency. By leveraging best-in-class generative AI tools—such as AI agents, no-code platforms, and intelligent automation—we accelerate venture development, lower barriers to entry, and enable leaner, faster, and smarter product innovation.

Our model combines ambitious founders, bold ideas, and a structured framework to de-risk early-stage ventures. By joining our team, you ll contribute to the earliest stages of startup creation within a dynamic and collaborative environment.

As a Venture Builder, you will be embedded within a venture team focused on the early-stage development of a new digital health venture grounded in a Principal Investigator’s (PI) research-driven innovation with real-world healthcare impact.

Over the course of six months, you’ll work alongside a faculty expert, technical lead, and studio team to explore, validate, and build toward a scalable solution. This hands-on role offers the opportunity to shape a venture from the ground up, with the potential for the venture team to continue on in a leadership or operational role once the startup company is formally launched.

You will immerse yourself in the world of generative AI, using cutting-edge tools and platforms to accelerate venture creation. You’ll work on identifying market needs, building prototypes, and developing strategies that bring new technologies and services to life. We are seeking a driven, entrepreneurial student with a strong interest in innovation, product development, and real-world impact. You should be eager to contribute across multiple work streams—including technical development—within a fast-paced and iterative startup environment.

You will receive best-in-class training and mentorship from the Eshelman Innovation Venture Studio
, UNC’s flagship platform for AI-first startup creation. Participants will work alongside experienced entrepreneurs, domain experts, and faculty founders to gain hands-on experience in market discovery, business model design, go-to-market strategy, and investor readiness. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to build real ventures from day one
—equipping students with the skills, network, and confidence to launch startups or lead innovation inside top-tier organizations.

• Utilize Agentic AI tools - Accelerate processes such as customer interviews, market analysis, content generation, and data interpretation.
• Market Research & Analysis - Conduct competitive research, customer discovery interviews, and industry analysis to validate the opportunity space.
• Technical Prototyping- Collaborate with business and science leaders to define, build, and validate user experiences and technical feasibility on user insights and iterative feedback.
• Pilot Program Scouting – Help identify and engage with potential early customers or partners to secure pilot programs or proof-of-concept engagements.
• Strategy & Planning - Be a part of the founding team, alongside business and science leaders to refine the business model, develop go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and shape the fundraising narrative.
• Venture Outcomes - Deliver software prototypes and designs MVP, a validated value proposition, a pipeline of potential pilot customers, and a roadmap for product development and scaling.

• A current student or recent graduate with a strong interest in startups, digital health, and product development.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by fast-paced, iterative work environments.
• Excellent communication, research, and analytical skills.
• Deep familiarity with…