2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator Application

2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator Application
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA) is a multifaceted, cohort-based, entrepreneurial program focused on the advancement of collegiate female founders.

Accepted student founders will learn how to navigate growth for early-stage ventures through targeted curriculum, personalized mentorship, peer to peer connections, and exposure to a network of 5,500+ women business owners, procurement professionals, and partner organizations at the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The 2025 CA cohort will gain valuable brand exposure as they participate in Demo Day and the CA Pitch Competition at the WBENC National Conference. Top pitch performances will receive micro seed capital grants.

The 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator will operate in a hybrid model with both virtual, and in-person programming. CA cohort participants must attend all virtual sessions in order to join the CA cohort at the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 23 - 26, 2025.

All in-person and virtual 2025 CA program dates are mandatory. In order to be accepted into the Collegiate Accelerator program, cohort participants must agree to attend all virtual and in-person sessions.

For more information, please visit wbenc.org/programs/collegiate-accelerator.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
- Applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time in a recognized College or University, or has graduated within the past 12 months (as of Dec 2023).
- Applicant must be an owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the participating business venture; (1) female founder per venture will be accepted.
- Applicant’s business venture must have been in operation for at least six (6) months, but does not have to be revenue generating.
- Applicant must commit to attend all Collegiate Accelerator program dates including the virtual and in-person session dates listed above, in order to be considered for the program. Inability to attend and participate in the entire program will result in ineligibility.
*Through the support of our valued Corporate and Government sponsors, all travel, lodging, and registration expenses will be covered for all CA program participants for the WBENC National Conference, along with a stipend for F&B and incidentals.

Please reach out to nextgen@wbenc.org or atrump@wbenc.org with any questions!

Application Deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
- Name*
  
  First Name as it appears on your IDLast Name as it appears on your ID
- Primary E-mail Address:*
  choose an email address that can be used for the duration of the program, if accepted
- Sex:*
  
  FemaleMaleOther
- Pronouns*
  
  She/HerHe/HimThey/ThemOther
- Age*
  
  Under 1818 – 2021 – 2425 – 3435 – 4445+
- Ethnicity*
  
  American Indian or Alaska NativeAsian or Asian AmericanBlack or African AmericanHispanic or LatinoMiddle EasternMultiracialNative Hawaiian / Other Pacific IslanderWhite or CaucasianOther
- Of which country are you a citizen?*
- Current Mailing Address (as of January 2025):*
  
  Street Address
  
  Street Address Line 2
  
  CityState / Province
  
  Postal / Zip CodeCountry
- Phone:*
  
  Area CodePhone Number
- Please provide a 3-5 sentence personal bio in THIRD PERSON including a brief statement about your venture. *
  NOTE: This will be shared externally with mentors if accepted into the program.
- Please upload a high-resolution professional headshot*
  
  Browse Files
  NOTE: This will be shared publicly if accepted into the program. Cancelof
- What is your personal LinkedIn page?*
  type n/a if not applicable
- What is the name of the College or University you are currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of (within last 12mo)?*
  Full Name of University or College
- As of January 2025, will you be enrolled Full-Time or Part-Time?*
  
  Full-TimePart-TimeGraduated within the last 12 months
- Graduation Date:*
  
  MonthDayYear
- Please indicate which degree you received upon graduation*
  
  Associate degree recipient as of Dec. 2024Bachelor degree recipient as of Dec. 2024Graduate degree recipient as of Dec. 2024
- Year in school (as of January 2025)*
  
  FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSeniorEnrolled in a Masters programEnrolled in a PhD program
- Undergraduate Major:*
- Undergraduate Minor: (if applicable)
- Graduate field of study:*
- Company Name*
- Company DBA
  Only complete if it's different from Company Name
- Company Website*
  type n/a if not applicable
- Please upload a high-resolution company logo*
  
  Browse Files
  NOTE: This will be shared publicly if accepted into the program. Cancelof
- Please provide a 3-5 sentence professional Company Bio *
  Note: This will be shared publicly if accepted into the program.
- Role/Title at Company*
- Are you currently an owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the company and principally responsible for its operation?*
  
  YesNo
- Percentage of ownership in your venture*
- When did your company begin it's operations?*
  
  MonthDayYear
  Date
- Is your business legally registered in the United States?*
  
  YesNoNo, but registered outside the US
- If yes, in what state is your business registered?*
- Do you or does your company currently have a patent or pending patent?*
  
  PatentPatent PendingCurrently do not have a patent or pending patent
- Does your business provide services or products?*
  
  Majority ServicesMajority ProductsA combination of services and products
- Have you raised any capital as of Jan 2025? If so, select all methods that apply.*
  
  BootstrappingAngel InvestorsFriends & FamilyVenture CapitalCrowdfundingI have not raised any capital as of January 2025.
- Which startup funding stage would you consider your venture in as of Jan 2025?*
  
  Pre-SeedSeedSeries ASeries BSeries CSeries D and BeyondOther
- What was your estimated annual revenue? (FY2024)*
- Including yourself, how many full-time or part-time employees do you currently employ as of Jan 2025?*
- Please select your company's primary industry.*
  
  Advertising & MarketingAerospace & DefenseAgriculture & MiningArts, Entertainment & RecreationAutomotiveBiotech & PharmaceuticalBusiness ServicesConstructionConsumer ProductsEnergy & UtilitiesFinancial ServicesFood & BeverageHealthcareInformation Communication TechnologyInsuranceProfessional & Technical ServicesRetailTechnologyTransportation & LogisticsTravel & Hospitality
- FEIN*
  A FEIN, also known as a federal tax identification number or an employer identification number (EIN), is issued to entities that do business in the United States. If you do not have a FEIN please put N/A.
- What is your company's LinkedIn page?*
  type n/a if not applicable
- What is your company's Instagram handle?*
  type n/a if not applicable
- Have you previously applied for the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator?*
  
  YesNo
- If yes, what year did you previously apply?*
- How did you hear about the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator?*
  
  College or University CommunicationStudent Organization CommunicationSocial MediaInternet SearchWBENC-Certified Business Owner (Women's Business Enterprise)WBENC Corporate or Government MemberWBENC Regional Partner OrganizationWBENC Collegiate Accelerator Program AlumWBENC Women of Color Incubator Program AlumWBENC Email CommunicationsWBENC Staff MemberOther
- Please specify the name of the individual or organization that referred you to this program*
- Have you ever had a professional mentor to advise your entrepreneurial goals?*
  
  YesNo
- Share a 1-minute video pitch about your venture. (Provide a YouTube, Google Drive, or DropBox link here.)*
  Note: Public viewing must be enabled on the link. Broken links will not be accepted resulting in a void application.
- What traction or progress have you made since starting your business operations?*
  
  NOTE: This may be shared externally with your mentors, if accepted.0/3000
- What are the top three goals you have for your venture in 2025?*
  
  NOTE: This may be shared externally with your mentors, if accepted.0/200
- Where do you see your venture in 3-5 years, and how do you fit into that vision?*
  
  NOTE: This may be shared externally with your mentors, if accepted.0/3000
- What area of your business acumen do you feel WEAKEST?*
  
  0/3000
- What area of your business acumen do you feel STRONGEST?*
  
  0/3000
- Please upload your current Resume/CV*
  
  Upload a File
  
  Cancelof
- Statement of Purpose: "Why should I be accepted into the 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator program?"*
  
  0/3000
- I hereby certify that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.*
  
  YesNo
- If accepted into the 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator, I agree to engage in a professional manner with my cohort peers, mentors, and instructors via email, on Zoom, and in-person while at the WBENC National Conference.*
  
  YesNo
- If accepted into the 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator, I agree to attend all in-person and virtual program dates as listed above.*
  
  YesNo
- Should be Empty:

2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator Application

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY