Program Launch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Idea Jam
Thursday, April 11, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
WNE, University Commons, 403
Bring your big ideas and questions, and our expert facilitators will help you generate your startup plans. You’ll collaborate with fellow participants to refine your ideas and elevate them to the next level.
Elevator Pitch Camp
Thursday, April 18, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
WNE, University Commons, 403
In this two-hour coaching session, you’ll refine your pitch and prepare for the Q&A portion of the Elevator Pitch Contest.
Elevator Pitch Contest
Thursday, April 25, 2024
WNE, Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy, 400
Teams of one to three members have 10 minutes to pitch their startup ideas to our panel of judges. Judges select up to five winning teams to receive a Summer Incubator Fellowship and up to $1,000 micro-grant to launch their startup.
Summer Incubator Fellowship (six weeks)
June-July 2024
Startup teams advance their ideas to the prototype phase in this intensive six-week residential fellowship. Sessions feature guest speakers, individualized tech support, and focused mentorship. Fellowship teams will receive a $2,500 stipend per person.
SOAR Show-and-Tell
June 2024
Startup teams pitch and demonstrate their Proof-of-Concepts (POCs) to the incoming freshmen class and their families during WNE’s Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR). This event serves as a practice run for the upcoming Fall Demo Day.
Fall Demo Day
September 2024
Startup teams present an investor pitch and formally demonstrate their POC/finished product to a panel of five judges. Each judge will be allocated funds to invest in one or two startups, in addition to the option of adding their own capital. All startups that receive funding will be eligible for a grant to continue use of the FTI HPC and other FTI resources for at least one year.
Info Session
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Learn more about this series and get your questions answered. You will also hear from some past participants.
Idea Jam
Thursday, March 20, 2025
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
WNE, University Commons, 403
Bring your big ideas and questions, and our expert facilitators will help you generate your startup plans. You’ll collaborate with fellow participants to refine your ideas and elevate them to the next level.
Elevator Pitch Camp
Thursday, April 10, 2025
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
WNE, University Commons, 403
In this two-hour coaching session, you’ll refine your pitch and prepare for the Q&A portion of the Elevator Pitch Contest.
Elevator Pitch Contest
Thursday, April 17, 2025
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
WNE, Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy (CSP), 400
Teams of one to three members have 10 minutes to pitch their startup ideas to our panel of judges. Judges select up to five winning teams to receive a Summer Incubator Fellowship and up to $1,000 micro-grant to launch their startup.
Summer Incubator Fellowship (six weeks)
June 2-July 11, 2025
Startup teams advance their ideas to the prototype phase in this intensive six-week residential fellowship. Sessions feature guest speakers, individualized tech support, and focused mentorship. Fellowship teams will receive a $2,000 stipend per person.
Fall Demo Day
Thursday, September 25, 2025
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
WNE, University Commons, 403
Startup teams present an investor pitch and formally demonstrate their POC/finished product to a panel of five judges. Each judge will be allocated funds to invest in one or two startups, in addition to the option of adding their own capital. All startups that receive funding will be eligible for a grant to continue use of the FTI HPC and other FTI resources for at least one year.
