News & Insights

As part of our ‘Meet Our Founders’ series today, we introduce Ellora McTaggart, CEO of Carolina Instruments based in Chapel Hill, NC. Carolina Instruments specializes in refining devices and technologies developed in research laboratories into user-friendly, turn-key commercial products for researchers in systems and behavioral neuroscience.

Q: What are you most excited about right now? What keeps you up at night?

A: We are thrilled about the prospect of getting our technology into the hands of behavioral neuroscience collaborators and seeing it make a real impact in rodent research. As part of the scientific community, it’s incredibly motivating to envision our devices contributing to advancements in the field and supporting groundbreaking discoveries.

At the same time, the urgency of developing the human version of our technology keeps us up at night. We are acutely aware that most technologies have a limited window of market viability, especially with large competitors in the space. This technology has the potential to make a transformative impact across multiple fields, but we need to act swiftly and strategically to ensure it reaches its full potential and gains widespread adoption.

Q: When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?

A: When I first joined the Pegard and Rodriguez-Romaguera labs, I was working on developing ocular photometry technology with the initial goal of using it in my own research. I was actively being recruited for doctoral studies and fully intended to incorporate this device into my work. But when I saw the first functional prototype of the freely moving ocular photometry device in action, I felt an overwhelming excitement for its potential—not just for my own research, but for the impact it could have across the neuroscience community. At that moment, I realized I didn’t want to keep this technology confined to my own projects. I wanted to make it accessible to as many researchers as possible.

Driven by that vision, I deferred my graduate studies, stepped into the role of lab manager, and dedicated myself to advancing the project. Through programs like NSF I-Corps, I connected with a network of collaborators who saw the same potential in the technology. It became clear that, to truly get this device into the hands of researchers, I needed to take the entrepreneurial leap and build a company around it. That realization solidified my commitment to the startup path, and I haven’t looked back since.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?

A: It has been incredibly rewarding to experience the openness and generosity of people who are eager to share their insights when I reach out for guidance. By asking questions and initiating conversations, I have gained access to invaluable perspectives and built a strong, diverse network. Each interaction has introduced me to new ways of thinking and has expanded my connections across a wide range of fields. I have been exposed to subjects and knowledge that I might never have encountered in academia. This exchange of knowledge and support has been vital, helping me make informed decisions and fostering a sense of community that I had not anticipated. It is inspiring to see how willing people are to support and encourage others on their entrepreneurial paths.

Q: What is one thing you wish you understood about entrepreneurship before you ever got started?

A: As an engineer, I have always been accustomed to problems with clear-cut solutions. Engineering has a certain structure to it; there are often equations or principles that guide you to a single solution. But in entrepreneurship, there is no single formula, no definitive guide that guarantees success. Every business decision, every challenge, and every opportunity can be approached in countless ways, and what works for one person or one company may not work for another. This mindset was a significant shift for me, as I had to become comfortable with the idea that flexibility, creativity, and resilience are just as crucial as any technical skill I developed in engineering. Recognizing that success can take many shapes has been both freeing and challenging, and it is a perspective I wish I’d understood from the start.

While visiting Chapel Hill, Ellora recommends:

• I would have to suggest the famous BLT sandwiches at Merritts Grill in Chapel Hill, NC. Located just down the road from our co-founder’s research lab, Merritt’s has been the host of many Carolina Instruments meetings.

Support Carolina Instruments and Ellora by:

• We could use support in refining our marketing and brand presence. Honest feedback from an external perspective on the company branding and messaging at this early stage would be valuable as we prepare to launch larger outreach efforts. Constructive insights will help us ensure that our brand resonates effectively with our audience and accurately reflects our mission and vision.