Stanford Students Launch Breakthrough Ventures Accelerator

Hard tech ventures require more than a great idea. You need capital, strategy, and alignment. As the new leader of Husky Innovate in the College of Business at Michigan Tech, Dr. Patrick Woock looks to foster both founders and funders. From launching a competitive Venture Capital Team to embedding AI consulting into the local business ecosystem, his vision connects students, university resources, and community partners on an aligned entrepreneurial pathway. “Entrepreneurs are attracted to places where they know they can get funding, where they can get training, where they can get mentors,” Woock said. “Being known for entrepreneurship and doing the work of entrepreneurship are mutually important.” If you’re passionate about investment in innovation, now’s the time to engage. 🔗 Meet Woock and learn more about the future of entrepreneurship at Michigan Tech in the latest College of Business newsblog: https://lnkd.in/gKGeRDKP #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #HuskyInnovate #MichiganTech #StartupEcosystem

Startup Foundry Cohort 3 — Applications Now Open Serious founders don’t need motivation. They need structure, clarity, and the right environment to execute. That’s exactly why Startup Foundry Cohort 3 is here. At SIA Foundation, Startup Foundry is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to move beyond ideas and start building sustainable businesses with intention. Cohort 3 will provide: • Structured entrepreneurial training • Practical execution support • Access to experienced mentors • A strong founder community • Opportunity to compete for shared seed grant funding This is not a program for spectators. It is for founders willing to commit, refine, and build. If you are: - Validating an early-stage idea - Building but lacking structure - Seeking mentorship and ecosystem support - Ready to grow with accountability Then this is your next step. 🔗 Click the link to apply now - https://lnkd.in/d46cr2Sp And if you know a founder actively looking for seed funding and structured support — share this post with them. The right founders should not miss this opportunity. #StartupFoundry #SIAFoundation #CallForApplications #SeedFunding #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment #FounderSupport #EarlyStageStartups #InnovationInAfrica #AfricaStartupEcosystem

What happens when early-stage founders get the right support at the right time? Our Residency Program offers eligible CERI Alumni a unique opportunity where they can progress their entrepreneurial journey. With heavily subsidised workspace, access to professional facilities, tailored guidance, mentoring, and a supportive peer community, the program provides conditions that are rarely available to early-stage startups. For many founders, it’s a turning point. Greater clarity. Faster momentum. Stronger confidence, at a stage where support is needed the most. Hear directly from our residency alumni about how the experience shaped their journey. 👇 #CERI #Entrepreneurship #StartupSupport #FounderJourney

**Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs** The launch of Breakthrough Ventures, a $2M accelerator by Stanford students, is a commendable step toward fostering innovation among college entrepreneurs. This initiative not only provides much-needed funding but also mentorship and resources crucial for young visionaries. At ElevenX Capital, we believe in investing in diverse talent and ideas. Supporting student-led startups can drive transformative change in various industries. How do you think such accelerators reshape the entrepreneurial landscape? #investing #innovation #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

The HBCU Founders Initiative (HBCUFI) is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Pre-Accelerator, with the deadline set for February 2, 2026. This eight-week hybrid program supports early-stage HBCU students and alumni building tech-driven startups through mentorship, a structured curriculum, and weekly cohort sessions. Recognized as the largest pre-accelerator serving the HBCU Community, HBCUFI helps founders validate ideas, build MVPs, and compete for non-dilutive grant funding, while expanding access nationwide through virtual cohorts. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gCUkPRr6 #HBCUFI #HBCUFounders #StartupAccelerator #BlackEntrepreneurs #TechStartups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #LinkedInCommunity #Potomac24

New North, Inc. is proud to announce that the Cheese Wedge Consortium has been awarded a $1 million Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Ignite Grant to accelerate entrepreneurship across the region. Led by New North, the Cheese Wedge Consortium is a coordinated, regionally based approach that builds on strong existing partnerships and infrastructure. Through the powerful integration of Phoenix Innovation Park and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the consortium will connect universities, corporations, investors, and service providers into one cohesive platform for startup growth. What this means for our region: • Accelerator programming and pre-seed bootcamps • Corporate engagement opportunities • Equity investments and direct funding • Legal and housing stipends for relocating founders • Co-working space and community outreach to strengthen Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial brand Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gR_PXhQQ #innovation #startups #outreach #entrepreneurship #newnorthproud

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 $𝟮𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗖𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁. Roman Scott and Itbaan Nafi watched talented student founders get turned away not because their ideas were bad, but because they lacked a degree, a track record, or $10K MRR. So they built Breakthrough Ventures. An accelerator designed for student founders, by student founders. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:  • $100K grants  • Compute credits  • Legal support  • Mentorship  • Follow-on investment 𝗡𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. What strikes me most isn't the funding. It's the diagnosis. We've been running a system that mistakes polish for potential and in doing so, we've been leaving an entire generation of builders at the door. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 and 𝗜𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗮𝗻 are betting on the unfundable. The over-motivated, under-resourced founder who's still figuring it out in a dorm room at 2am. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: The gap between a "dorm room idea" and an "investable business" has never been thinner. But thin doesn't mean easy. Student founders don't need a 40-page business plan. They need distribution, credibility, and the right room to walk into. Breakthrough Ventures is trying to become that room. The real question is how many other Roman and Itbaans are out there, still waiting for someone to bet on them? #Startups #StudentFounders #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #Innovation #NextGenFounders #StartupAccelerator #BuildInPublic #Founders #TechStartups

Student entrepreneurship gets a major push as Roman Scott and Itbaan Nafi, founders of Breakthrough Ventures, secure $2 million to support student-led startups across the U.S. With Raihan Ahmed leading the accelerator, the program aims to back 100 young ventures, widening access to capital, mentorship, and networks beyond elite campuses. A big moment for the next generation of founders. Read More: https://lnkd.in/geAjZWD9

Excited to share our latest interview on The Capitalyst: Julian Hall's inspiring journey from tech startups to empowering the next gen as "The Ultrapreneur" behind Ultra Education! He's revolutionizing financial literacy for kids aged 7-18 with hands-on programs, games like Start-up Dash, and initiatives breaking barriers for underrepresented youth—from investment banking to co-authoring entrepreneurship degrees at The Open University. Julian Hall FRSA BCAe proves entrepreneurs are made, not born. What's your take on teaching kids business skills early? Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dtmETfBJ #YouthEntrepreneurship #FinancialLiteracy #EdTech #Startups #UltraEducation

Don’t just build. Build with strategy. The Investor Literacy Panel during the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Summit as top founders and investors break down what students actually need to know about raising capital, building smart, and thinking long-term. Whether you're launching a startup, exploring venture, or just want to understand how investors think — this panel is for you. 🚀 The INnovation Challenge is still OPEN: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gdQsG3Fx 🎟️ Summit Waitlist: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gAfE_6db Presented by: Roll Tack Ventures, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, and Butler Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Summit by 16 Tech Innovation District. The INnovation Challenge is sponsored by Butler University, IU Innovates, and the University of Notre Dame ESTEEM Graduate Program! Martina Fausto, Jacob Schpok, Ben Pidgeon, and Almera M. #CollegiateEntrepreneurs #InvestorLiteracy #StartupLife #InnovationChallenge #FutureFounders #Entrepreneurship #IndianaEntrepreneurs #StudentFounders #BuildInPublic #VentureCapital