The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA) program is designed to support and empower female college entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses.

This dynamic, cohort-based program focuses on providing early-stage women founders with the tools, resources, and connections they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

What the Program Offers

Female students or recent graduates who are selected for the 2025 Collegiate Accelerator will be part of a comprehensive growth-oriented accelerator.

The program includes a targeted curriculum to help navigate business growth, along with personalized mentorship.

Participants will also benefit from peer-to-peer connections and exposure to a massive network of over 5,500 women business owners, procurement professionals, and partner organizations.

A major highlight is the opportunity to attend the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they can engage with industry leaders and showcase their ventures.

Tailored Education and Mentorship

The accelerator program provides participants with access to a tailored educational curriculum focused on scaling early-stage ventures.

In addition, the Collegiate Accelerator Mentorship Program pairs each student entrepreneur with seasoned women business owners and mentors from top corporations, following a 2:1 mentorship model.

This one-on-one mentorship helps guide the entrepreneurs through the challenges of running a business, offering valuable insights and connections.

Pitch Your Startup and Win Grants

One of the standout features of the 2025 CA program is the exclusive Collegiate Accelerator Pitch Competition.

During the WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, participants will pitch their businesses in front of an audience of over 5,000 attendees, including potential investors, partners, and customers.

The top pitch performances will receive micro seed capital grants, in addition to gaining crucial brand exposure.

Full Financial Support for Participants

Thanks to the support of corporate sponsors, the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator covers all travel, lodging, and registration expenses for participants to attend the 2025 WBENC National Conference.

Additionally, a stipend for food, beverages, and incidentals will be provided to help ease the financial burden while participants focus on growing their businesses.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a recognized college or university, or have graduated within the last 12 months (as of December 2023).
Be the owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the business venture. Only one female founder per venture will be accepted.
The business must have been operational for at least six months, but it does not need to be generating revenue.
Applicants must commit to attending all program dates, including virtual and in-person sessions. Incomplete participation will result in ineligibility.

Apply Today

The deadline to apply for the 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator is February 17, 2025.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to take your business to the next level, don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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