The wider ecosystem
University and research programs
Programs run by universities and research funders to move ideas out of the lab and into the market.
Often a fit for: Students, faculty, alumni and researchers with technology that needs customers and a commercial path.
Independent programs; no affiliation implied unless stated. Each entry was checked against the program’s own page in October 2026. Programs change; confirm details with the program before you apply.
7 programs
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NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
A seven-week training program that helps researchers move basic research toward commercialization, hosted by I-Corps Hubs and Nodes.
- Who it is for
- Scientists and engineers with NSF-funded or other basic research ready for commercialization.
- Format
- Teams of about twenty to thirty per cohort, seven-week curriculum; national and regional team tracks.
- Where
- United States, through Hubs and Nodes (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Idea, Building
- Open to
- Researchers and scientists, Students and alumni
Visit NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Berkeley SkyDeck
An accelerator program with specialized deep-tech tracks, an incubator for early-stage teams with a University of California founder, and open work areas.
- Who it is for
- Startups from all industries; the Pad-13 incubator needs at least one founder affiliated with the University of California.
- Format
- About twenty startups selected every six months; partner programs run for three months.
- Where
- Berkeley, California (In person)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching
- Open to
- Open to all founders, Students and alumni
Visit Berkeley SkyDeck (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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StartX
Mentorship, resources, tools, networking events, vetted partners and investors, and the Stanford alumni network.
- Who it is for
- Stanford founders.
- Format
- Apply, interview with admissions, then join the kick-off.
- Where
- Stanford, California (In person)
- Stage
- Building, Launching
- Open to
- Students and alumni
Visit StartX (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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MIT delta v
A summer accelerator with funding, a partner network for mentorship and workshops, and partner perks, ending in a demo day.
- Who it is for
- Founders already building full time, with a demo-able prototype and early interest from customers or partners.
- Format
- About three months, from June to a September demo day.
- Where
- Cambridge, Massachusetts (In person)
- Stage
- Building, Launching
- Open to
- Students and alumni
Visit MIT delta v (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Harvard Innovation Labs
Advising, expert office hours, on-demand learning, funding opportunities, events, coworking and a wet lab.
- Who it is for
- Students from all Harvard schools, alumni founders, and biotech and life science ventures.
- Format
- Membership, workshops, accelerators and coworking.
- Where
- Greater Boston (In person)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching
- Open to
- Students and alumni
Visit Harvard Innovation Labs (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
Investor and startup venture forums, pitch competitions, the Rice Business Plan Competition and startup programs.
- Who it is for
- Startups, investors, corporations and students.
- Format
- Forums, competitions and programs through the year.
- Where
- Houston, Texas (In person)
- Stage
- Building, Launching, Growing
- Open to
- Open to all founders, Students and alumni
Visit Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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CREATE-X (Georgia Tech)
A startup class, prototyping grants and mentorship, and a launch program with seed funding and in-kind services.
- Who it is for
- Georgia Tech students at all levels, and faculty, researchers and alumni in the launch program.
- Format
- Classes, grants, funding and events, with an annual demo day.
- Where
- Atlanta, Georgia (In person)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching
- Open to
- Students and alumni
Visit CREATE-X (Georgia Tech) (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
Ask before you join
- Do you need a current tie to the school to join?
- Who owns the intellectual property made during the program?
- Does the program connect you to customers or only to coursework?
Other kinds of program
Join them. Then build for the long run.
Join them. WE works alongside, for the long run. Tell WE where your company is. A readiness review says plainly whether the work fits, and which of these programs would help most right now.
Every program here is independent. WE lists it because founders may want to consider it. No affiliation, partnership or endorsement is implied, and none is stated for any entry.
Start a readiness review
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