Work on your venture all summer long
The Duke I&E Summer Accelerator (virtual in 2021) provides select teams with access to additional resources in order to further their ventures. Students in the Accelerator receive mentorship, classes, community-building activities, and a $5,000 stipend. Additionally, Duke I&E staff will provide ongoing support, tailored resources, and relevant connections to Duke and external community members.
Find Your People
You’ll spend your summer forming a community with other student founders, sharing insights and experiences.
Get the Support You Need
You’ll get mentorship, tailored resources, and a stipend to support your project.
Make Connections
Duke I&E staff will connect you to other students, alumni, potential mentors, and practitioners at Duke and beyond.
LEARN MORE
Each Accelerator cohort will include teams and solo entrepreneurs. The cohorts will be kept small, with fewer than 20 students accepted.
Each student receives a $5,000 stipend, with a maximum of two stipends per team.
The Accelerator will be virtual in Summer 2021; no coworking space will be provided to participants.
Students will learn of acceptance to the program by April 1, 2021 and will be expected to sign a contract committing to the program requirements.
Each student receives a $5,000 stipend, with a maximum of two stipends per team.
The Accelerator will be virtual in Summer 2021; no coworking space will be provided to participants.
Students will learn of acceptance to the program by April 1, 2021 and will be expected to sign a contract committing to the program requirements.
Timeline for Summer 2021:
March 1 – Applications open
March 24 – Applications due
April 1 – Offers made
April 15 – Contracts due
June 1 – Schedule provided
June 7 – August 6 – Programming
August 5 – Pitch Day
March 1 – Applications open
March 24 – Applications due
April 1 – Offers made
April 15 – Contracts due
June 1 – Schedule provided
June 7 – August 6 – Programming
August 5 – Pitch Day
• Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are encouraged to apply.
• Students who will graduate in Spring 2021 are still eligible to apply.
• While preference is given to students working in teams on their ventures, individuals are also eligible.
• Participation in the Student Founder Program or any other program or course is not required to apply.
• Admissions are vertical agnostic; all types of ventures are welcome. Applicants should have a prototype and should have done significant customer research.
• Students who will graduate in Spring 2021 are still eligible to apply.
• While preference is given to students working in teams on their ventures, individuals are also eligible.
• Participation in the Student Founder Program or any other program or course is not required to apply.
• Admissions are vertical agnostic; all types of ventures are welcome. Applicants should have a prototype and should have done significant customer research.
Participation. If you are selected for the program, working on your project will be your full-time job. You’ll complete assigned readings, watch videos, give presentations to mentors, receive feedback, and participate in discussions with field experts.
Attendance. A member of each team will attend every event, with attendance recorded by I&E staff. Required programming will take place during the business day (9am-5pm ET) and will not exceed 10 hours per week, including a weekly check-in with the whole cohort.
Passion. With the ups and downs intrinsic to entrepreneurship, and with progress being unpredictable, enthusiasm for your work is one of the most important factors for your success.
Coachability. You’ll receive a lot of feedback—some of which you’ll love and some of which you won’t. We ask that you take all feedback respectfully and thoughtfully.
Transparency. We’ll expect you to share business plans, presentation pitches, financial projections, and additional information with mentors, staff, and other cohort teams.
Attendance. A member of each team will attend every event, with attendance recorded by I&E staff. Required programming will take place during the business day (9am-5pm ET) and will not exceed 10 hours per week, including a weekly check-in with the whole cohort.
Passion. With the ups and downs intrinsic to entrepreneurship, and with progress being unpredictable, enthusiasm for your work is one of the most important factors for your success.
Coachability. You’ll receive a lot of feedback—some of which you’ll love and some of which you won’t. We ask that you take all feedback respectfully and thoughtfully.
Transparency. We’ll expect you to share business plans, presentation pitches, financial projections, and additional information with mentors, staff, and other cohort teams.
Please direct questions to Amy Linnane: amy.linnane@duke.edu | 919-360-9214