SUMMER FELLOWSHIP ACCELERATOR
Open to: Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni
Summer Fellowship is UConn’s startup accelerator program and is an immersive entrepreneurial experience open to anyone affiliated with UConn. The Summer Fellowship Accelerator is CCEI’s flagship program and has prepared startups to launch their company, generate revenue, raise funding, and be accepted into next step incubators and accelerators.
The top ten startups from across UConn are selected to participate in the Summer Fellowship Accelerator. This program takes place three days a week over eight weeks, where participants develop the skills needed to bring new products, services, and technologies to market. Each team receives one-on-one coaching and mentorship from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs. Teams are provided with pro bono legal, accounting, branding, banking and product development services to help with initial business setup and support.
Teams pursuing high-potential ventures who have formed through participation in other UConn entrepreneurship programs are encouraged to learn more below.
COHORT MODEL
An 8-week long, intensive accelerator designed to support emerging entrepreneurs as they plan to launch their business.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Startups receive pro-bono legal, accounting, banking, branding, and product development services from our program partners.
MENTORING
One-on-one mentoring and guidance provided by seasoned industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs to foster venture growth.
FUNDING
$15,000 in non-dilutive funding for business development; up to $5,000 (per student) can be used to pay a member of the team (current UConn student or 2025 UConn graduate).
WORKSHOPS + MASTERCLASSES
Expert led sessions covering all scaling fundamentals – go to market strategy, pitch compilation, sales and fundraising, to name a few.
NEXT-STEP OPPORTUNITIES
At the end of the program, a committee will choose five startups to advance to the Wolff New Venture Competition to compete for over $115,000 in funding, including a $30,000 grand prize.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Info Sessions
- November 20, 2024 from 5-6pm
Learn about the application process and the program from the instructors and past participants. - February 6, 2025 from 12-1pm
Learn about the application process and the program from the instructors and past participants.
Application Deadline
- February 17, 2025 at 11:59pm
Online application is due.
Pitch Selection Notification
- February 24, 2025
Applications are assessed for suitable startups.
Summer Fellowship Pitch Days
- March 3 and 4, 2025, virtual
20 startups are chosen to pitch to our selection committee made up of instructors, mentors and industry experts.
Interview Selection Notification
- March 5, 2025
A selection of startups are chosen to interview with our selection committee.
Interviews
- March 13 and 14, 2025, virtual
A selection of startups are chosen to interview with our selection committee.
Acceptance Notification
- March 17, 2025
10 startups are accepted into the program.
Program Orientation
- April 30, 2025 from 5-6pm, virtual
The accepted startups meet with the instructional team and get started on their pre-program assignments.
Summer Fellowship
- June 2, 2025 - July 31, 2025, hybrid
Startups participate in the 8-week long accelerator three days a week, with a mid-program break the week of the 4th of July.
Summer Fellowship Finale
- July 31, 2025
Startups present their final pitches to a crowd of mentors, investors and industry experts. Five startups are chosen for the Wolff New Venture Competition.
PROGRAM DETAILS
APPLY
Applications closed on February 17, 2025 at 11:59pm.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to apply, your team must:
- have at least one team member affiliated with UConn (undergraduate or graduate student, faculty, staff or alumni).
- have at least one founding member available to participate in ALL scheduled program dates, including commuting to our Hartford center 1-2 days per week.
- be incorporated (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp etc.) by June of the current year.
TIMING + COMMITMENT
Participants spend three days per week over eight weeks in the summer developing skills needed to bring new products and technologies to market and receiving one-on-one coaching from industry experts. Sessions are held from 9am-3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; and some early-evening networking events or other activities may be scheduled.
*The Summer 2025 cohort will be hybrid, with 1-2 of the three days per week located at our center in Hartford. Startups should expect to spend additional time outside of the program hours working on their business.
SUMMER 2025 SCHEDULE
Week 1: 6/2 , 6/3, 6/5, 9am-3pm
Week 2: 6/9, 6/10, 6/12, 9am-3pm
Week 3: 6/16, 6/17, 6/19, 9am-3pm
Week 4: 6/23, 6/24, 6/26, 9am-3pm
4th of July Break
Week 5: 7/7, 7/8, 7/10, 9am-3pm
Week 6: 7/14, 7/15, 7/17, 9am-3pm
Week 7: 7/21, 7/22, 7/24, 9am-3pm
Week 8: 7/28, 7/29 , 7/31, 9am-3pm
FUNDING
Each startup is awarded $15,000 (non-equity, non-diluting) in funding to aid in business development. Of which, up to $5,000 (per student) can be used to pay a member of the team to participate in the program. This team member must be a current UConn student or recent UConn graduate (May 2025), and it will be paid as fellowship – half at start of program, half at completion.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Jennifer Mathieu
Executive Director
Rory McGloin Ph.D.
Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Communication & Research
Alycia Chrosniak
Assistant Director of Brand and Venture Development
alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu
Rachel Borden
Business Operations Manager
Michelle Cote
Lead Instructor & Director of Launc[H]