January 27, 2025
2025 Collegiate Accelerator Applications for Female Founders Open
Applications open through Monday, February 17th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT
The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA) is a multifaceted, cohort-based, entrepreneurial program focused on the advancement of collegiate female founders. Selected students 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 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 in-person 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.
Benefits of the program:
- Tailored Curriculum: The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator works to develop and grow participating ventures through tailored
- CA Mentorship Program: Students receive entrepreneurial support and guidance from Certified WBEs and National Corporate Members in a 2:1 mentorship model.
- Demo Day & Pitch Competition: The CA cohort attends the annual WBENC National Conference and will gain valuable brand exposure as they showcase their ventures on Demo Day to more than 5,500 attendees. Student participants will also compete in the CA Pitch Competition for a chance to win seed capital grants.
- Peer Connections: The CA cohort will learn from, network, and collaborate with like-minded peers to form meaningful connections and build a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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.