Programs & Competitions

Unlock funding, mentorship, resources, and more.

Our extracurricular programs offer the tools, mentorship, and community you need to succeed. From quick workshops to immersive experiences, we have a perfect starting point for everyone. Explore the categories below to find the right fit for you.

Our Programs

(Go ahead, poke around!)

Let's break those down.

Toggle open the sections below to find relevant programs.

Programs Currently Accepting Applications

Sustainability Seed Grants

Kick-start your sustainability project with up to $500 in funding. Applications are due November 1.

Innovation Pathway

Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your venture into a scalable business.

Idea Incubator

Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.

Project Action

Apply any time to get the funding and coaching you need to launch a community project, such as an art installation, concert, or conference.

New to Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

First-Year Innovation Fellowship

Develop your entrepreneurial mindset, build leadership skills, and have fun in an inclusive community of first-year students.

Idea Incubator

Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.

Already Have a Business?

Innovation Pathway

Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your venture into a scalable business.

Summer Accelerator

Immerse yourself in a 10-week accelerator to bring your startup or nonprofit to life with $10k in funding and mentorship. Applications open in spring 2025.

$72k New Venture Competition

Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Applications will open in fall 2024.

Social Entrepreneurship

Project Action

Apply any time and launch a community project with funding and coaching tailored to your goals. Previous funded projects include benefit concerts, conferences, art installations, and more.

Enlight Fellowship

A summer program that provides a $10,000 stipend to intern at a Boston nonprofit and develop your own social venture. Applications open in spring 2025.

Innovation Pathway

Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock additional funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your social venture into a scalable, impactful business.

Sustainability Seed Grants

Kick-start your sustainability project with up to $500 in funding. Applications are due November 1.

$72k New Venture Competition

Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Apply to the Social Impact track. Applications open in fall 2024.

Idea Incubator

Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.

Competitions

$72k New Venture Competition

Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Applications open in fall 2024.

Summer Programs

Summer Accelerator

Immerse yourself in a 10-week accelerator to bring your startup or nonprofit to life with $10k in funding and mentorship. Applications open spring 2025.

Enlight Fellowship

A summer program that provides a $10,000 stipend to intern at a Boston nonprofit and develop your own social venture. Applications open spring 2025.

Innovation Pathway

Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock additional funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your social venture into a scalable, impactful business. Summer interview dates are available.

Woman presents on a stage in front of a projector screen while gesturing with her hands

The largest cross-college innovation conference anywhere.

IDEA Con convenes hundreds of movers and shakers from across New England right here at Boston University for a day of inspiration and workshops. Join us on October 26!

RSVP for Free

The Innovate@BU Experience

Hear what real BU students say about their experience participating in our programs.

Man with a microphone speaks at an event in front of a colorful backdrop

3…2…1…Pitch!

Pitch & Pizza is a fun Shark Tank–style event where you can pitch your big idea in 1 minute or less for a chance to win $100, or just enjoy the show and vote for your favorite!

See the schedule

Program Dates & Deadlines

FYIF Post Orientation Interview Day

Day: Tuesday Oct 8th Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Innovation Pathway Investment Panel 2

Day: Thursday Oct 10th Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

FYIF Community Event- Mixer

Day: Tuesday Oct 15th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

Innovation Pathway Application Interview

Day: Tuesday Oct 22nd Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

Sustainability Innovation Seed Grants Info Session 2

Day: Tuesday Oct 22nd Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

Innovation Pathway Application Interview

Day: Friday Oct 25th Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

FYIF Session

Day: Tuesday Oct 29th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215

Innovation Pathway Investment Panel

Day: Thursday Oct 31st Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215
A group of student innovators holding their prize money checks on stage

New Venture Competition Awards $72,000 in Prizes to Boston University Entrepreneurs

From revolutionizing dental care and eliminating avoidable vision loss to providing innovative data solutions for businesses and high-protein vegan snacks, the winning ventures at Boston University's annual New Venture Competition (NVC) showcased the incredible potential of BU's entrepreneurial community. The competition, which has supported hundreds of student-led teams for more than 20 years, awarded a […]

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Meet the 2024 Summer Accelerator Cohort!

Ten early-stage ventures have been selected to participate in Innovate@BU’s Summer Accelerator program! This 10-week intensive program helps students build their ventures through mentorship, entrepreneurial education, and more.  Looking to support student innovators with your skills and gain experience at one of these amazing new ventures? Join the Innovate@BU Talent Network, where our student innovators can reach […]

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