Summer Accelerator participants in 2025 posed for a photo during a visit to Chicory in New York City, highlighting two key elements of the program: mentorship and network connections.
For many student entrepreneurs, the hardest part of starting a venture is not coming up with the idea, but figuring out how to turn that idea into something real. Between classes, jobs, and campus commitments, building a company can feel overwhelming. The TIA Summer Accelerator was created to help students bridge that gap by offering the time, structure, and support needed to move from early validation to real execution.
The 2026 TIA Summer Accelerator will run from May 11 through Aug. 7 — beginning on-campus with a fast-paced, four-day intensive, where teams will refine their business models, clarify their goals, and develop a clear roadmap for the months ahead. After the in-person kickoff, the program will transition into a remote format for the rest of the summer, allowing founders to continue building their ventures from wherever they are while staying connected to mentors and peers.
The Accelerator is designed for high-performing ventures coming out of the TIA Incubator that are ready to grow. Instead of focusing on idea generation or pitch practice, the program centers on action. Students will spend the summer building products, talking to customers, testing their assumptions, and learning what it actually takes to sustain a business.
Each venture selected for the program will receive between $6,250 and $8,250 in funding, which can be used to cover expenses such as product development, marketing, customer research, and operations. But participants say the money is only part of the experience. What truly defines the program is the combination of mentorship, accountability, and community.
That support is reflected in the experience of Harshitha Talasila ’26, co-founder of SoilSoul, who participated in the program in 2024.
“The Summer Accelerator was an amazing opportunity for us to focus on our venture full-time, providing us with the mentorship and resources to allow us to better understand the issue of food waste and the most effective ways of approaching it,” she said.
Mentorship is at the core of the Accelerator. Throughout the summer, students will meet with experienced entrepreneurs, advisors, and industry professionals who will help them refine their ideas, navigate challenges, and think strategically about growth. These relationships often extend beyond the program, giving founders long-term guidance as their ventures continue to develop.
The program also places a strong emphasis on accountability. Participants set weekly goals, share progress updates, and reflect on what is working and what is not. This structure helps students stay focused and motivated, even when building a venture becomes challenging.
The Accelerator cohort is intentionally small, creating a close community of founders who learn from one another and support each other’s growth. By sharing feedback, celebrating milestones, and problem-solving together, students build a network that continues well beyond the summer.
Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin encourage students who already have a venture and are ready to commit to growth to apply. The program is not about perfection, but about progress and about giving student founders the tools they need to keep moving forward, Martin said. The 2026 Summer Accelerator interest form is due by Feb. 23.
Students can apply here.