The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA) is a multifaceted, cohort-based, entrepreneurial program focused on the advancement of collegiate female founders.
Accepted student founders will learn how to navigate growth for early-stage ventures through targeted curriculum, personalized mentorship, peer to peer connections, and exposure to a network of 5,500+ women business owners, procurement professionals, and partner organizations at the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Program Details
Collegiate female entrepreneurs (or recent graduates) accepted into the 2025 CA cohort will participate in a hybrid, growth-based accelerator designed to guide emerging women business owners through their startup phase. The Collegiate Accelerator includes access to tailored educational curriculum, as well as participation in the CA Mentorship Program, connecting student entrepreneurs with seasoned women-owned businesses alongside mentors from leading Corporations in a 2:1 mentorship model.
The CA cohort will attend the in-person 2025 WBENC National Conference, known as the largest event of its kind for women business owners, in New Orleans, LA. While at the WBENC National Conference, cohort members will participate in the exclusive Collegiate Accelerator Pitch Competition, awarding micro seed capital grants to top pitch performances, and gaining valuable brand exposure from more than 5,000 attendees.
Benefits
Through the support of WBENC Collegiate Accelerator Corporate sponsors, all travel, lodging, and registration expenses will be covered for the CA cohort participants to attend the 2025 WBENC National Conference along with a provided stipend for F&B and incidentals.
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time in a recognized College or University, or has graduated within the past 12 months (as of Dec 2023).
Applicant must be an owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the participating business venture; (1) female founder per venture will be accepted.
Applicant’s business venture must have been in operation for at least six (6) months, but does not have to be revenue generating.
Applicant must commit to attend all Collegiate Accelerator program dates including the virtual and in-person session dates listed, in order to be considered for the program. Inability to attend and participate in the entire program will result in ineligibility.
