Business Accelerator for Collegiate Female Founders and Recent Graduates

The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator (CA) is a multifaceted, cohort-based, entrepreneurial program focused on the advancement of collegiate female founders. Selected students 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.

WBENC is proud to engage, empower, and inspire the next generation of woman-owned businesses by optimizing the power of the WBENC network through the support of WBENC Corporate Members.

Read more about the 2024 Collegiate Accelerator Cohort

2025 Collegiate Accelerator Program Schedule

(all program dates are mandatory; all sessions are held in Eastern Time)

TITLE SPONSORS

PROGRAM TIMING

The 2025 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator will operate in a hybrid model with both virtual, and in-person programming. CA cohort participants must attend all virtual sessions in order to join the CA cohort in-person at the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 23 – 26, 2025.

All in-person and virtual 2025 CA program dates are mandatory. In order to be accepted into the Collegiate Accelerator program, cohort participants must agree to attend all virtual and in-person sessions.

LOCATION

Virtual and In-Person in New Orleans, Louisiana at the 2025 WBENC National Conference. All in-person and virtual CA program dates are mandatory.

Applications Close February 17

APPLY NOW

2025 Collegiate Accelerator Corporate Supporters

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.

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.

Tailored Curriculum

The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator works to develop and grow participating ventures through tailored curriculum focused on the fundamentals of growth, customer retention, entrepreneurial leadership, and the essentials of an effective pitch.

CA Mentorship Program

Students receive entrepreneurial support and guidance from Certified WBEs and National Corporate Members in a 2:1 mentorship model.

Demo Day & Pitch Competition

The CA cohort attends the annual WBENC National Conference and will gain valuable brand exposure as they showcase their ventures on Demo Day to more than 5,500 attendees. Student participants will also compete in the CA Pitch Competition for a chance to win seed capital grants.

Peer Connections

The CA cohort will learn from, network, and collaborate with like-minded peers to form meaningful connections and build a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Participating in the Collegiate Accelerator program was truly transformative. Surrounded by inspiring women business owners, I found a supportive community eager to share their wisdom. The pitch competition honed my public speaking skills, and the connections I made with my cohort are invaluable. This program has empowered me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams with confidence and determination.

Latia Boney

Founder | B.E. Connected

The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator provided such a great learning opportunity and supportive network for me. I had dedicated mentors who really took time out of their day to help me find resources for ingredients and packaging suppliers, introduce me to other entrepreneurs, and encourage me to think of alternative ways to pursue business opportunities.

Jamie Kim

Founder | Jamie's Farm

The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator helped my brand, Gently Soap, make connections that before I had only dreamed about on my vision board. I was able to learn which of my goals were viable options for 2022 and which ones I had to pump the breaks on. I made connections that opened my eyes to spaces and opportunities that I had no idea about and was even afforded the opportunity to pitch my brand on the National conference stage. I was able to connect with the other girls in my cohort and celebrate their wins as well. I want to do this program again and again.

Kristen Dunning

Founder | Gently Soap

The Collegiate Accelerator Program has opened my eyes to my potential as a woman entrepreneur. It takes work to start this journey when you are young; still, when you are surrounded by like-minded individuals, you are stretched to capacities you could not have thought existed. The WBENC Collegiate Accelerator program gave me hope and seeing the success of my peers helped extinguish the fire of limitations and doubt in my venture and contributed towards my growth. Thank you for planting the seed of momentum in me, I will forever be grateful.

Faella Bell

Founder | Blue Ribbean

I can say with confidence that attending the WBENC conference and being supported by the WBENC Collegiate Accelerator community has been a steppingstone in helping my business achieve success. This program is overflowing with valuable resources and connections to help get your business off the ground and successful.

Tiffany Gil

Founder and CEO | Shezza

Who Should Apply

APPLICANT 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 above, in order to be considered for the program. Inability to attend and participate in the entire program will result in ineligibility.

How to Apply

APPLY NOW

Don't miss the latest news about the next WBENC Collegiate Accelerator program.

Subscribe for Updates

Questions about the program?

More Information

Tuition & Fees

Through the support of our valued Corporate and Government sponsors, all travel, lodging, and registration expenses will be covered for all CA program participants for the 2025 WBENC National Conference, along with a stipend for F&B and incidentals.

Participating Colleges & Universities

More than 100+ colleges and universities across the U.S. have helped identify prospective students for this program. Join us! Contact us at NextGen@wbenc.org for details on how to get involved.

Contact Information

Email us at NextGen@wbenc.org or by contacting Avery Trump at atrump@wbenc.org.