BUILD REAL MOMENTUM.
LAUNCH A REAL COMPANY.
The Summer Accelerator Fellowship is an intensive 10-week startup accelerator designed for founders who are actively building ventures and ready to move from idea → traction.
This is not a class.
This is not exploration.
This is execution.
From May 18-July 24, selected founders will work full-time on their startups inside the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory (BELL), supported by dedicated coaching, expert mentors, structured milestones, and accountability designed to drive measurable business progress.
Each fellow receives a $6,000 summer stipend to focus fully on building their company. Teams consisting of two or more will receive a $12,000 summer stipend.
The program culminates in Demo Day on July 23, where founders present investor-ready ventures to judges, ecosystem leaders, and potential funding partners.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
Applications for the 2026 Summer Accelerator Fellowship are officially open.
Application Deadline:
🗓 Wednesday, March 11
⏰ 11:59 PM CST
Fellowship Decisions Announced:
📣 Friday, March 13
Due to the intensive nature of the accelerator, cohort size is limited and selection is competitive. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and demonstrate clear evidence of progress, commitment, and readiness to build.
Program Outcomes
By the end of the accelerator, founders will aim to achieve:
Validated customer problem and defined target market
Demonstrated traction (users, pilots, revenue, or partnerships)
A tested MVP or refined product iteration
A clear and scalable business model
Investor-ready financials and pitch deck
Defined next-stage growth roadmap
Who This Is For
Summer Accelerator Fellowship is designed for founders who:
Are actively building a startup (beyond idea stage)
Have begun customer discovery or early validation
Are prepared to commit fulltime effort for 10 weeks
Are coachable, execution-oriented, and milestone-driven
Demonstrate strong potential for venture growth
Priority is given to startups with:
Early traction or prototypes
Committed founding teams
Clear problem-solution alignment
Scalable market opportunities
Program Structure
Accelerator Dates
Program: May 18 – July 24
Demo Day: July 23
Length: 10 Weeks (Fulltime Commitment)
Core Accelerator Pillars
1. Venture Roadmap and Accountability
During the first week, founders will work with the Startup Incubator Venture Team to establish:
A personalized 10-week execution roadmap
Weekly traction goals
Venture OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
Defined Demo Day success metrics
Progress is tracked weekly through founder check-ins and milestone reviews.
This program prioritizes measurable progress over theoretical learning.
2. Milestone-Based Acceleration
The accelerator is structured around venture progression milestones:
Customer Validation Achieved
MVP or Product Iteration Tested
Early Traction Demonstrated
Revenue or Pilot Secured
Financial Model Built
Investor Readiness Achieved
Milestones unlock expanded opportunities including mentor access, investor introductions, and exclusive networking experiences.
3. High-Impact Coaching & Mentorship
Each startup receives:
Dedicated Startup Coach (weekly 1:1 sessions)
Industry-specific mentor connections
Founder advisory board development (minimum of three advisors)
Tactical feedback focused on execution decisions
Mentorship focuses on solving real founder challenges in real time.
4. Founder Working Environment
The accelerator operates from the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory (BELL), providing:
Dedicated workspace
Collaborative founder environment
Daily peer accountability
Access to startup ecosystem resources
Founders are expected to treat the program as their primary summer commitment.