Tech accelerator Groundwork Labs is teaming up with Triangle universities to offer a summer “camp” for student entrepreneurs.

The program will launch next year.

One team from each of several schools will be selected to participate in the event.

Schools included are:

  • Duke
  • UNC-Chapel Hill
  • N.C. State
  • N.C. Central
  • Wake Forest University.

The teams will receive office space in the American Underground at the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham as well as mentoring, marketing, legal, financial and business plan assistance.

“Underground Summer is a bridge from the excellent programs that the Universities have established,” said John Austin, Director of Groundwork Labs, “This experience will enable the students to experience the broader entrepreneurial community in the Triangle.”

Added Patrick Vernon, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: “Underground Summer enables our students to take their next steps beyond our own entrepreneurial programs.”

D. Keith Pigues, Dean of the School of Business, North Carolina Central University, agreed: “This is an incredible opportunity to partner with Groundwork Labs to support entrepreneurship with our students. A winning student team from the inaugural 2013 NCCU campus-wide Eagles Venture Challenge will be awarded this three month summer internship at Groundwork Labs to accelerate the development of a promising new venture.”

Groundwork Labs is supported by the economic development group NC IDEA and Capitol Broadcasting Company, which operates the Underground and the American Tobacco District.

(Note: Capitol is the parent firm of WRAL Tech Wire.)