捆绑SM社区

Apply to the TechAccel Program to further advance your idea/project/venture!

Program Overview

The TechAccel Program is one of the 捆绑SM社区 Engine鈥檚 key co-curricular/experiential learning programs. It supports early-stage student ventures with听Lean Startup Methodology training, 1:1 business mentorship, and funding. The program runs three times a year during the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, each cohort is about 18 weeks long.听

Key Dates

  1. Apply by January听12, 2025, 11:59pm ET. -听
  2. Accepted teams will be notified via email by听January听17, 2025.
  3. Attend a kick-off meeting to meet the other teams in your cohort and get in touch with your team's assigned mentor in the week of January 20听(in person and virtual options will be provided).
  4. Follow听the Lean Startup Methodology modules online via the Empowered Startup Platforms and advance听your team's project/venture with the help of your assigned mentor.
  5. Attend monthly cohort check-in meetings.
  6. Submit progress and final reports and complete mandatory surveys.
  7. Present your venture at the TechAccel Showcase in September 2025.

Eligibility

  • 捆绑SM社区 student teams of 2-4 people.

  • Lead Applicant:

    • Must be a 捆绑SM社区 student (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoc) enrolled full-time (all faculties are eligible)

    • The lead applicant must be returning as a full or part-time student for at least one more semester (for example, if you are applying for the Fall TechAccel Program the lead applicant must be returning in the Winter semester, and if you are applying for the Winter or Summer TechAccel Program they must be returning in the Fall semester)

  • To be eligible for the TechAccel project funding, at least one team member must be enrolled in a faculty* that is STEM-related at 捆绑SM社区. (* Students of 捆绑SM社区 School of Continuing Studies are eligible to receive mentorship through the TechAccel program but are not eligible for TechAccel project funding.)

  • A team that already has an established business model with听recurring revenues is not eligible.

  • A team that has prior funding of over $25,000 is not eligible.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Level of technological and business innovation. Does the team have sufficient competitive advantage/differentiation from similar ideas?

  • Educational potential/experiential learning opportunity for students. Will the TechAccel program contribute to the team acquiring new business and technical skills?

  • Clearly defined and validated problem. Is the idea/solution appropriate for the problem identified?

  • Plan to build and test an MVP to try and achieve product-market fit. Have appropriate milestones been identified in order to advance the idea toward a viable business/solution?

  • Level of market and impact potential.

Impact Since 2016

Over 350 students across and beyond 捆绑SM社区 received training and mentorship through the TechAccel Program.听

$265K+ in funding
granted

23% female participation rate
80% application
success rate

+15% innovation skills*
142 startup projects supported

+19% entrepreneurship skills*

* based on self-efficacy surveys from 2019 to Summer 2023

Program Key Benefits

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捆绑SM社区 student participants receive听CCR recognition*


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Increase your entrepreneurial and innovation skills

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1:1 coaching and mentorship from our TechAccel Mentors
听 听 听 听 听 听听


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Networking opportunities and community events

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Potential project funding or a summer stipend听


Devices icon (a computer, watch and cellphone).

Develop your pitch and presentation skills听


* TechAccel is听an approved program.听

TechAccel Self Assessment Tool

Yes No
Have you searched your idea online? *
Search it online to see if it's already out there and come back for Q1!
Is it already commercialized by a company? *
Compared to the existing commercial solutions, is your idea/solution faster better cheaper? If not, you should come up with a new idea!
Have you spoken to stakeholders about the problem that your idea is trying to solve? *
Please identify the stakeholders and schedule interviews with them to further validate/invalidate your hypothesis!
How many interviews have you conducted? You can start your 1st iteration of the Lean Startup Canvas!
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