Summer Accelerator Details
Eligibility
The Summer Accelerator Program is for founders who want to work on their venture as their full-time professional pursuit for the duration of the program.
We are looking for serious entrepreneurs who come with energy, an open mind, positive attitude, and who are ready to learn, improve, and accelerate. At least one BU student or 2025/2026 graduate must hold an executive position on the founding management team and be one of the strategic driving forces behind the venture.
Participants are also expected to contribute to the community of cohort teams by actively sharing and learning with other founders. Many accelerator participants form valuable, long-lasting connections outside of their own team.
Application Process
The application period is split into two stages: the application stage and the interview stage.
Application Stage
Application Window: January 23 – February 20, 2026
If you meet the program eligibility criteria, you are invited to apply during this time. The online application form consists of short paragraph questions about your venture’s current status and your team. You are also required to upload a current pitch deck.
If you plan on using AI to help refine your application, we strongly encourage you to review the recommendations for its responsible and constructive use from the Boston University AI Development Accelerator (AIDA) guidelines for students.
Apply by February 20 at 11:59 PM
Interview Stage
After all applications have been reviewed, a select number of teams will be invited to an interview. This will begin around March 9 and end around March 20, 2026. Interviews will be held in-person at Innovate@BU. We plan on notifying teams of the result of their application by March 31, 2026.
FAQ’s
How far along does my startup need to be? Do I need to have a product and customers?
Teams should have found Problem-Solution Fit (though some may be past this stage). This means you’ve discovered a deep customer problem, identified a solution, and ascertained whether it resonates with stakeholders. You should have some early evidence of the solution’s efficacy from conducting iterative experiments. You don’t need to have a fully built solution, business model, GTM strategy, or other market-ready requirements. We place emphasis on you and your team’s knowledge of the problem space, your flexibility, and eagerness to be part of the community and contribute to the cohort.
Do I need to have an entity? (LLC, S Corp, etc)
No, you don’t need to have a business entity unless you are taking on liabilities such as paying customers and fundraising. For the stipend, we can pay you directly or the entity.
Do I need to be in the Innovation Pathway program to apply?
No. Teams who are in the Innovation Pathway (particularly at Run stage or later) should already have found problem-solution fit, which will result in a stronger application to the accelerator. But Innovation Pathway membership is not a requirement to apply.
Do I need a team to apply? What if my startup is just me?
Most ventures at an appropriate stage for the accelerator have at least two team members, both of whom commit to working on the venture full-time during the duration of the program. There are some cases where solo founders are accepted into the program as well. If in doubt, apply and we can discuss it.
Is funding available through this program?
Yes! Each team receives a $10,000 stipend to work on their startup full-time.
What if I can't make all the dates?
All workshops and events are mandatory unless stated otherwise. If there is a conflict in which you are doing something to advance your venture (investor meetings, conferences, etc) you may be excused. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and you must let the Program Director know at least 2 weeks in advance.
Can I do the program remotely?
No, this program must be completed in-person in Boston.
Who can I contact with questions?