Description
IDEA: Northeastern University’s Venture Accelerator is a student-led, experiential accelerator embedded within Northeastern University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports students, alumni, faculty, and staff in turning ideas into scalable businesses. Through a staged Ready → Set → Go process, IDEA offers mentorship, educational workshops, prototype and commercial support, networking, and non-equity funding grants to help ventures develop, validate, and bring their products or services to market.
Eligibility
• Northeastern University affiliation required: Founders must be current students, alumni, faculty, or staff.
• Venture teams may be at any stage of conceptual exploration or development as long as they commit to the IDEA process.
• Applicants must attend Ready Stage Orientation and register their venture profile on Buddha/Babele platform to begin.
Process
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Register & Attend Orientation: Interested ventures (Northeastern-affiliated) attend a Ready Stage Orientation to learn about the accelerator and pipeline.
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Ready Stage: Focus on customer discovery and validation, with core workshops, coaching, and community integration.
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Set Stage: Ventures build business models and strategy using guides, mentorship, and advisor support.
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Go Stage: Execution stage where ventures pursue prototyping, funding, and growth milestones; eligible for Gap Fund grants up to $30,000 total.
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Ecosystem Events & Pitch Forums: Ventures participate in NEXPO, Pitchathon, and community events to showcase progress and connect to mentors/investors.
What an Applicant can Obtain
✔ Non-equity grant funding (up to $30,000 via the Gap Fund).
✔ Prototype support through dedicated funds (Prototype & Alpha Fund grants).
✔ Stage-based mentoring and coaching tailored to venture Needs.
✔ Access to a broad network of advisors, specialists, and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
✔ Workshops, educational programming, and community events (Pitchathon, NEXPO, etc.).
✔ Connections to the broader Northeastern entrepreneurial ecosystem (product development, legal support, angel networks).
