Apply
You don’t know until you try.
The first step to changing your life and pursuing your dreams is an application away. We are looking for ambitious students who want to be part of a community of innovators and game-changers.
It’s OK if you don’t know everything because we provide the knowledge, funding, mentorship, peer support, and resources necessary to grow and scale your idea. In order to gain the full iVenture experience, we prefer to have students that will continue with us for the following academic year. That said, please apply regardless if you believe in the work you're doing and want to do – that's who we're looking for.
What Does It Involve?
The opportunity to work full-time for 10-weeks over the summer learning and building with a cohort of other student entrepreneurs is the most important benefit of the accelerator.
Network
Connect you to the right advisors, partners, coaches, and funders through networking events both on-campus and in Chicago, and a database of hundreds of supporters in the iVenture Network.
Structure
Accountability of progress through regular goal-setting and accountability meetings with program staff. Regularly hosted workshops, talks, and office hours with experienced entrepreneurs, faculty, and leaders.
Course Credit
Receive continued support through our 3-credit hour iVenture Seminar course (BADM 463 & 464, Topics in Entrepreneurship )that meets every Wednesday from 5-7:30 pm.
Drive
Exceptional venture teams with the commitment and skills to solve an important problem for a large number of users.
Perseverance
Teams that have worked with users, built prototypes, have recruited a team, and are taking advantage of available campus resources.
Inclusive
Support for all ventures creating tech, social, commercial, or cultural value. We have supported teams working on mobile apps, medical devices, nonprofits, ag-tech, and more. Have a look at the ventures we’ve worked with thus far in iVenture cohorts.
Course Credit
Receive continued support through our 3-credit hour iVenture Seminar course (BADM 395, Topics in Entrepreneurship )that meets every Wednesday from 5-7:30 pm.
Inclusive
Support for all ventures creating tech, social, commercial, or cultural value. We have supported teams working on mobile apps, medical devices, nonprofits, ag-tech, and more. Have a look at the ventures we’ve worked with thus far in iVenture cohorts.
Get Started
We’re now looking to build out iVenture Accelerator’s 10th cohort!
Qualifications
To qualify for the iVenture Accelerator, teams must have:
2-4 founders work in iVenture full-time for 10 weeks in the summer. Strong preference is given to students who are not graduating in the current Spring Term—this is a year long program starting in summer.
A majority of your team members must be UIUC students with majority ownership. Non-UIUC students do not receive stipends.
A majority of your team must enroll in or audit a 3-credit hour iVenture Seminar course, Topics in Entrepreneurship, in Fall and Spring. Offered as BADM463 and BADM464.
Be actively working on a venture creating either tech, social, commercial, or cultural value.
Application
We have multiple waves of applications each year for the summer cohort. You can continue to apply to the following waves if you are not accepted during the current one. A rejection isn't final – we love to see ventures grow.
Do not wait until the last minute.
1st Wave Deadline
November 13th, 2023
@ 11:59 PM CST
Rolling Deadline
Apply and contact the iVenture team to get recurring feedback.
@ 11:59pm cst
Final Wave Deadline
April 7th, 2024
@ 11:59 PM CST
Platform
Applications are completed online. Applications should be submitted by one individual on behalf of your venture team.
Questionnaire
The application asks for questions about your venture, team, progress, and references.
Follow-Up
Program staff may follow-up for additional information, and finalist teams are invited for an in-person interview.
Take The Leap.
Join iVenture.
The
Leading Student Startup Accelerator
For the
University of Illinois Network