Applications Open for the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator

Spend Summer 2026 Working on Your Startup!

Open to graduate student-led teams from the SC Johnson College of Business, the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator is a 10-week summer intensive featuring hands-on entrepreneurship training, networking opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship from Entrepreneurs in Residence.

The program will begin in May and conclude with a Demo Day pitch event in August. Outside of required virtual programming on Tuesdays, a kickoff weekend in Ithaca and a networking trek to New York City, participants can work on their startups and meet with mentors on their own schedule.

JSSA applications close March 22, 2026. Apply now: https://bit.ly/JSSA26

Curious if the program is for you? Attend a virtual information session to learn more:

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 5 – 5:30 PM ET | Virtual

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 5 – 5:30 PM ET | Virtual

The Professor Vrinda Kadiyali Student Entrepreneur Fund provides $10K stipends to MBA students so they can focus on their startups full time while participating in the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator. First-year MBA students who are enrolled in the two-year residential program and have applied to JSSA are eligible for this opportunity, and they will be evaluated for the award by a committee under the administration of the Dean. Apply for the Vrinda Kadiyali Student Entrepreneur Fund. Apply by March 3, 2026 for consideration.