Student Venture Accelerator

Taking Student Ideas into Market-Ready Ventures in 3 Months!

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The Student Venture Accelerator is designed to quickly get students teams from idea to go-to-market in 3 months, and set up ventures for sustainable growth beyond the accelerator. Please note, this is an immersive summer program that will require in-person participation. Venture teams selected for this program have the opportunity to receive up to $5,000+ in venture funding to support their early-stage operations and go-to-market strategies.

Colorado State University Venture Accelerator is open to all current CSU undergrad and graduate students as well as CSU Alumni that have graduated within the last year. This program kicks off with orientation the week of May 20, 2024 and accelerator starts May 27, 2024 – August 15, 2024. Venture Teams in this program have the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in venture funding. Please only fill out one survey response per venture team. 

Please note, all venture types are welcome, including:
  • For-Profit, Non-Profit, B-Corp, etc. 
  • Product, Service, Technology as a Service, etc. 
  • Small Business Entrepreneurship, Scalable Start-up Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, etc.

Program Timeline

  • Applications Due: March 31, 2024
  • Announce Ventures Selected: April 1, 2024
  • Incorporation Workshop: April 12, 2024
  • Orientation Starts: May 20, 2024 
  • Accelerator Program: May 27, 2024 – August 15, 2024
  • Opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in venture funding per team
  • Full Program Schedule 
Apply Here

Application Requirements

  • Completion of Venture Validator 1.0 & 2.0 (Free sign up @ innovate.colostate.edu; if unable to make program dates email [email protected] to gain access to recorded videos and next steps)
  • CSU student or recent alum (12 months)
  • 1-Page Executive Summary 
  • Completed Business Model Canvas (BMC) 
  • 40 Customer Discovery Interviews 
  • Working MVP/Prototype (Does NOT need to be perfect or finished product) 
  • 5-Min Video Company Pitch (Please use this PDF as a guide for pitch overview)

Please see the attached pdf for the application questions so you may prepare your responses. This application will take 30 – 45 minutes to complete. Please only fill out one survey response per venture team. 

Additional financial assistance is available on a case-by-case basis. For more information or if you have trouble submitting your documents, please contact Rachel Roberts at [email protected].