Applications for Summer 2025 are now open

The Venture Accelerator is designed to quickly get students teams from idea to go-to-market in 3 months, and set up ventures for sustainable growth beyond the accelerator. Please note, this is an immersive primarily virtual summer program that will require in-person participation for the last 2 weeks and optional in-person participation for the first week (travel + room/board covered). Venture teams selected for this program have the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in venture funding to support their early-stage operations and go-to-market strategies.
Colorado State University Venture Accelerator is open to all current CSU undergrad and graduate students as well as CSU Alumni that have graduated within the last year. This program kicks off with in-person orientation the week of June 2, 2025 and the virtual accelerator starts June 9, 2025. Please only fill out one survey response per venture team.
Please note, all venture types are welcome, including:
- For-Profit, Non-Profit, B-Corp, etc.
- Product, Service, Technology as a Service, etc.
- Small Business Entrepreneurship, Scalable Start-up Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, etc.
Program Timeline
- Applications Due: March 25, 2025
- Announce Ventures Selected: March 26, 2025
- Incorporation Workshop: March 28, 2025
- Orientation Starts: June 1, 2025
- Accelerator Program: June 8 - July 31, 2025
- In-person Immersive Experience: July 13-23, 2025 (traveling +room/board is covered)
- Opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in venture funding per team
Apply Here
Application Requirements
- Completion of Venture Validator 1.0 & 2.0 (Free sign up @ innovate.colostate.edu; if unable to make program dates email csu_entrepreneurship@colostate.edu to gain access to recorded videos and next steps)
- CSU student or recent alum (12 months)
- 1-Page Executive Summary
- Completed Business Model Canvas (BMC)
- 40 Customer Discovery Interviews
- Working MVP/Prototype (Does NOT need to be perfect or finished product)
- 5-Min Video Company Pitch