Accelerator Program

The Stanford Emergence Accelerator Program

By Application (application period is closed)

• Eligibility: Graduate level students who are working towards impact driven ventures that address societal and planetary health challenges (applications from highly qualified undergraduate students will also be considered). We seek students who are knowledgeable about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, who bring deep knowledge of the issues they are working to address, and who offer diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the cohort. 
• Application Period: Currently Closed - Next Cycle will open Oct. 1st 2024
• Program Dates: Jan. - June, 2025

About 

The Emergence Accelerator Program supports a cohort of highly driven social and environmental student entrepreneurs and ventures each year from across campus. Through key impact entrepreneurship workshops, coaching from successful founders, one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals, and facilitated networking and connections to prospective funders, students are supported to ideate, develop, and launch purpose driven ventures that address our most pressing challenges. The Emergence Accelerator includes the following key components: 

• Impact Entrepreneurship Curriculum: Students learn the fundamentals of impact entrepreneurship and are supported to incorporate them into their venture via the following focused workshops:
  • Fundamentals of Impact Entrepreneurship
  • Transformational Leadership 
  • Incorporating Equity & Sustainability in Innovation
  • Aligning Business Models with Impact
  • Culture & Team Building
  • Ownership & Governance Structures
  • Raising Mission Aligned Capital
• Coaching from a Successful Founder: Each student is paired with a successful founder who serves as their coach for the duration of the program. Through regular meetings and continued support students receive tailored guidance to troubleshoot areas of venture development and personal leadership. 
• Industry Mentorship: Throughout the duration of the program, students are connected to industry professionals, relevant to their specific needs and focus areas, to gain feedback as they refine/scale their ventures for success.
• Funding Partnerships: Student entrepreneurs receive facilitated connections to aligned prospective funders (VC's, Corporations, Angel Investors, Foundations etc.) within the Emergence network to support the launch and scaling of their innovations. In addition, ventures chosen to pitch at the annual Emergence Summit are eligible to receive a small seed award. 
• Peer-to-Peer Connections: Through a cohort of like-minded impact-driven student entrepreneurs, participants are able to lean into a community of support and knowledge sharing. 
• Networking & Exposure: Students are connected to a network of private and public sector partners and gain visibility via convenings, an annual Summit, conferences, and investor pitch events.

Graduates of the Accelerator Program receive a Certificate of Completion from Emergence in Impact Entrepreneurship.

Application Process

• Application opens: Oct. 1st, 2024 
• Application deadline: Nov. 15th, 2024
• Award notifications: Dec. 15th, 2024

Resources

• 2024 Accelerator & Call for Applications 
• 2024 Call for Industry Mentors
• 2023 Accelerator Impact Entrepreneurs and Companies 

Contact

 For any additional questions please contact sgillett@stanford.edu. If you are interested in being an Industry Mentor for the Stanford Emergence Accelerator Program please reach out to us via this form to learn more.  

Student Testimonials