The Watson Institute Venture Accelerator is a Sixteen-week program for impact-driven entrepreneurs looking to elevate their ventures through access to a global network, skills-building training, and mentoring from seasoned professionals, venture capitalists, and executives. The curriculum will begin with an in-person Immersive in Boulder, Colorado.
The remainder of the programming language is virtual and offers award-winning training, committed mentorship, and a powerful community of peers for next-generation entrepreneurs to advance their impact-focused ventures and lives.
The program is intended to provide next-generation entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and experience necessary to scale the impactful ventures they are developing.
This is a completely funded program with seed funding of up to $6,000 available to selected fellows.
Dates & Information
In Boulder, Colorado, the curriculum will begin with an immersive experience. The final 15 virtual weeks are intended to supplement fellows’ current venture work and allow them to put program lessons into practice immediately.
The In-Person Immersion will take place from July 20 to July 28, 2023.
Virtual programming will take place from July 30 until October 31, 2023.
Weekly Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time are the days for all workshops and modules.
Venue: online
Benefits
- Funding: Depending on their overall program achievement, certain Fellows may be eligible for startup financing of up to $6,000.
- Training and skill development: Sales, Data & Analytics, Business Foundations, and Financing are just a few of the topics covered in training and interactive modules delivered by subject-matter experts.
- Mentorship & Community : Interact with eminent businesspeople, subject matter experts, international alumni, and regional partners to receive mentorship, advice, and support throughout the program.
- Pitch Coaching: Get the chance to present at the prestigious pitch event at the end of the program to an international network of partners, employees, mentors, and alumni.
Eligibilities
- Entrepreneur in charge of an early-stage social impact venture with proven impact metrics and traction
- Capable of committing to the 16-week program, which includes an in-person Immersive in Boulder, Colorado, with a weekly time commitment of 6-8 hours per week.
- Applicants from any geographical location are encouraged to apply, with a preference for those from the United States, Brazil, China, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Eligible Regions: All are welcome.
PROCESS OF APPLICATION
- Applications Received: Fill out the online application: The online application consists of four short essay questions that should take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in mid-March by their admissions team.
- Qualified candidates will be invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview. On April 1st, 2023, interviews will begin.
- Allocation of Fellowships: Applicants are considered for a variety of full-ride fellowships.
- Fellows Will Be Notified: In early May, the admissions team will begin sending out final acceptances and fellowship awards.
- Confirmation and Enrollment: Fellows complete their enrollment by signing Watson’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The deadline for applications is May 15, 2023.
