Incubator & Coworking

• Dedicated to Innovators’ Success: We’re more than just a space; we’re your partners in growth. Our mentoring programs, workshops, and networking events are tailored to propel your entrepreneurial success.
• Quiet and Work-Friendly Offices: Silence is golden for productivity. Our offices are designed to minimize background noise, ensuring a serene environment for focused work.
• 24/7 Access: Entrepreneurs thrive on flexibility. Our coworking space provides round-the-clock access, allowing you to work whenever inspiration strikes.
• Free Conference Room Reservations: Need a professional setting for meetings? Our conference rooms are at your disposal, free of charge, for collaborative sessions and client presentations.
• Free Parking: Forget the hassle of hunting for parking spots. Our convenient location offers free parking just steps away from your workspace.

A large, shared working area for our tenants to use, accessible 24/7. This room is arranged to encourage a comfortable, creative working atmosphere.

The co-working space is equipped with:

• Various working and seating options with plenty of electrical outlets
• “The Cove” relaxation nook with comfy bean bags and a flatscreen TV
• Portable whiteboards and SMART board
• A multi-device charging station
• Basic office supplies, and lockers for personal belongings

The extended coworking space, located in the area between the coworking space and the event space, is a comfortable, informal meeting space that provides extra seating for tenants or a location for networking events. It is where all our refreshments are served at events and features a standing work bar, a wet bar, and various seating options. It has a mounted flatscreen TV with cable and various hookups, and it's easily rearrangeable.

Twenty private offices are available for rent in our startup incubator on a monthly basis. Each private office is equipped with:

• Furniture for two founders (some exceptions)
• Office suite labeled with your business name
• Keyed entry to secure office

Interested in becoming a tenant at CIE? Whether you are a full-time coworker or an incubator, you will have access to a variety of perks including:

• Business address, mail receiving, and mail cubby
• Free parking
• High-speed, secure wifi (Hawkwifi)
• Secure 24/7 facility access
• Access to so many things to benefit your startup!
  • 2 Conference rooms (free!)
  • Event space (office tenants only)
  • Discounted CIE Retreat reservations
  • Professional copier at CIE
  • University intellectual capital - hire students, partner with researchers
• Coffee station 
• Free or discounted admission for all CIE events
• Mentoring and advising
• Display pamphlet and/or business card in the CIE lobby - which hosts thousands of people each year
• Access to UNCW Amenities (additional fees and training may apply)
  • UNCW MakerStudio at UNCW Library
  • Reserve Studio A (Audio or Video Production) or Studio B (Virtual Reality, Audio Production)
  • 3D printing service
  • UNCW Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Located in a HUB Zone

Coworking tenants receive all of the amenities and benefits outlined above for up to 2 individuals in a startup for $140 per month.

Incubator offices start at $500 per month and are based on the size of the office. Offices come fully furnished and almost all are set up for 2 individuals in a startup.

CIE tenant leases are made on a month-to-month basis, and tenants can cancel with a 30-day notice. A one-month security deposit is required. Tenant invoices are billed monthly via email and paid online.

We offer a 50% discount for UNCW-related startups.

This includes UNCW students starting businesses, UNCW faculty and staff startups, and community startups licensing UNCW technology in partnership with the UNCW Office of Innovation and Commercialization (industry-specific exclusions may apply). UNCW Alumni startups are not eligible for this discount. 

If you are a solo founder getting started, CIE offers an Essentials Coworking package for you to become part of our innovation community. CIE Essentials includes:

• Unlimited coworking access during UNCW hours
• Conference room reservations for Ocean room
• Mail services
• Open wifi access

Unlike the standard CIE Coworking, CIE Essentials does not include a card for building access or secure wifi access. 

CIE Essentials Coworking is offered to solo founders for $100 per month.

If you are only in Wilmington for a few days or if you just need intense innovation session for a day or two, Day Passes are available for coworking and private office space. Coworking Day Passes are $25 per day and Private Offices Day Passes are $50 per day.

Day Passes are available during UNCW hours (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.).

Please contact CIE before paying online to confirm availability.

Some amenities list items provided to monthly coworkers are not available to day pass holders. The purpose of Day Passes is accessing CIE facility for coworking.

Purchase Day Passes Here

The coworking space is best suited for startups in technology, education, healthcare, marine science, and media production, among other things. It is not ideal for companies that need a brick-and-mortar storefront or established service providers. CIE staff will determine whether individuals and companies are aligned with the mission and the quality experiences, people, and programs offered.

Please email the CIE staff at cie@uncw.edu to inquire about becoming a tenant.

If you are only interested in membership, not tenancy, click here.