Applications are now open for the 2026 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA), a competitive, cohort-based entrepreneurship program designed to support early-stage student founders and recent graduates who are building and scaling innovative business ventures.
The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator offers a structured blend of virtual training, mentorship, peer learning, pitch exposure, and access to funding opportunities, culminating in participation at the WBENC National Conference for top-performing founders.
đź—“ Application Deadline:
Monday, March 2, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time)
About the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator 2026
The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator is a multifaceted entrepreneurial development program created for founders who are actively running an early-stage business. The 2026 cohort will begin with a fully virtual accelerator in April, followed by a competitive pitch process that selects top founders to advance to an in-person experience in the United States.
The program is designed to help participants:
- Strengthen their business model
- Build founder confidence and leadership capacity
- Access tailored entrepreneurship curriculum
- Connect with mentors, peers, and corporate leaders
- Gain national exposure and funding opportunities
Program Structure
Virtual Cohort (April 2026)
Founders accepted into the virtual cohort will participate in live, instructor-led sessions, peer-to-peer engagement, and hands-on learning.
All sessions are held Mondays and Wednesdays (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET):
- Wed, April 1
- Mon, April 6
- Wed, April 8
- Mon, April 13
- Wed, April 15
- Mon, April 20
- Wed, April 22
- Mon, April 27
- Wed, April 29
The virtual program concludes with the CA Virtual Pitch Competition Semi-Final Round.
In-Person Cohort & WBENC National Conference (June 2026)
Top-performing founders from the pitch semi-finals will be selected for the In-Person Cohort, which includes participation in the WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
đź“Ť Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
📅 Conference Dates: June 15–18, 2026
All selected in-person participants will receive:
- Fully covered travel, lodging, and conference registration
- A stipend for meals and incidental expenses
- Dedicated venture booth space
- Mentorship and high-level networking
- Opportunity to compete in the CA Pitch Competition Final Round for micro-seed funding
In-Person & Related Dates
- Fri, May 8 | Virtual Session
- Wed, June 3 | Virtual Session
- Sun, June 14 | Travel Day
- June 15–18 | WBENC National Conference
- Fri, June 19 | Travel Day
Who Should Apply
The program is open to:
- Student entrepreneurs enrolled full-time or part-time in a recognized college or university
- Recent graduates (within the last 12 months)
- Founders actively running early-stage businesses who are committed to growth, learning, and collaboration
WBENC is seeking applicants who are:
- Passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation
- Ready to engage deeply in cohort-based learning
- Committed to attending all required program sessions
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in a recognized college or university or have graduated within the past 12 months (as of December 2024)
- Be the owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the business (only one founder per venture accepted)
- Operate a business that has been active for at least six (6) months (revenue not required)
- Commit to full participation in all virtual sessions and in-person activities if selected
- Inability to attend all program dates will result in automatic disqualification
Why Apply
Participants gain:
- Founder-focused training and mentorship
- Pitch exposure at a national-level conference
- Access to corporate leaders and investors
- Peer learning with high-potential student founders
- Opportunity to win micro-seed funding
- Global visibility and credibility through WBENC
Application Deadline
🛑 Applications close Monday, March 2, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time).
Late submissions will not be considered.
If you are a student founder or recent graduate building an early-stage venture and ready to scale with global exposure, the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator 2026 is a powerful opportunity to accelerate your journey.
