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.