UC Venture Lab NEXT summer program paves way for student startup success
Empowering student entrepreneurs from ideas to enterprise
There has never been a better time to start, join or fund a student startup.
Young founders with an idea or technology they want to develop into a business while still in school have an increasing number of resources to tap into at the University of Cincinnati.
Venture Lab NEXT is a student accelerator program designed to offer tailored resources and guidance to student teams who have already gained traction and are seeking specialized mentorship aligned with their industry domain or stage of development.
Over the 12-week summer program, student founders will gain the critically important business acumen, experienced mentorship and deep network to develop, grow and eventually launch their venture.
Kate Harmon Assistant vice president of the 1819 Innovation Hub, executive director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship
A UC NEXT student meet with an entrepreneur-in-residence. Photo/Center for Entrepreneurship
Student visionaries daring to pioneer a company can leverage VL NEXT to hone early-stage operational skills to cultivate entrepreneurial wisdom. It could lead to the next unicorn company as per a recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine that reported UC surpassed Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale in graduating unicorn founders.
Located inside the 1819 Innovation Hub, the VL NEXT program offers an exceptional opportunity for students to venture into startup creation.
Participating student teams will receive $10,000 in non-dilutive funding, empowering them to bring their innovations to life. This funding can be utilized flexibly, whether for developing the startup itself or supporting team members' living expenses as they commit full-time to their venture during the summer. Teams are required to submit a detailed funding plan outlining individual milestones they aim to accomplish throughout the program.
For students contemplating their next move, the advantages are plentiful. VL NEXT offers a unique prospect for chosen student teams to dedicate their time, effort and funding to developing their ventures during the summer months.
“Over the 12-week summer program, student founders will gain the critically important business acumen, experienced mentorship and deep network to develop, grow and eventually launch their venture,” said Kate Harmon, assistant vice president of the 1819 Innovation Hub and executive director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship.
Criteria
VL NEXT is seeking student teams with a minimum viable product or strong customer discovery data, committed to advancing their venture. Selected founders will benefit from peer engagement, staff facilitation and mentorship. Cohorts will receive curated mentorship and provide weekly updates on both technological and customer discovery progress.
The deadline to apply is April 5. Students can register and view itinerary for the program.
What to expect
During the VL NEXT summer program, entrepreneurs-in-residence (EIR), including industry professionals, academic mentors and technical experts, will be available to support teams with tailored expertise. These mentors will guide student founders in processing information and staying on track with their milestones. Participants can forge connections and map out their startup launch trajectory, leveraging this invaluable networking platform.
“If you want to experience what it is like to build a startup, including all the heartaches and challenges that come with being a startup founder, the VL NEXT program will be a valuable resource for you. We are looking for applicants who are deeply committed and have the work ethic to give it their all this summer,” Harmon said.
Featured image at top: UC NEXT students meet with mentors. Photo/Center for Entrepreneurship
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
We love ‘Lucy’ — the AI avatar redefining UC tech transfer
July 17, 2024
In a visionary leap at the University of Cincinnati, the marriage of artificial intelligence and interactive technology has birthed "Lucy," a Smarthelp AI avatar poised to revolutionize how regional industries engage with UC's tech transfer initiatives.
NIS program opens new horizons for international student
July 17, 2024
In his pursuit of physics and a taste for research, Akash Khanikor ventured from his hometown in India's Assam to the University of Cincinnati, drawn by the promise of hands-on exploration early in his undergraduate career as a NEXT Innovation Scholar.
Presidential challenge to UC: Join Ride Cincinnati to fight cancer
July 16, 2024
UC President Neville Pinto has again challenged every UC college and unit to send at least one rider to the September 14 Ride Cincinnati event to help fundraise for cancer research and cancer care. UC students ride free. Signup by July 31 for free UC-branded cycling jersey.
Immersed in learning
July 15, 2024
The UC College of Nursing is transforming curriculum into immersive virtual reality experiences, providing students with more engaging, hands-on, and equitable learning.
Former UC rowing coach champions mentorship over medals philosophy
July 12, 2024
Two-time University of Cincinnati graduate Brent Figg has coached rowing teams for decades — now, he’s bringing his innovative mentorship style into transdisciplinary realms.
AI startup firm partners with 1819 to accelerate technology
July 12, 2024
Matthew Sias founded Innovation Acceleration, a tech startup partner of the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, to help companies increase efficiency by incorporating generative AI and machine learning into their business processes.
9 tips for aspiring student entrepreneurs
July 11, 2024
Balancing being a student and an entrepreneur isn’t for the faint of heart. Here are some tips for student entrepreneurs from the University of Cincinnati to help them succeed.
UC Bearcat Ventures inks first investment checks
July 9, 2024
Bearcat Ventures is a student-led initiative redefining experiential education in venture capitalism. It introduces students to the intricacies of early-stage startup investments and equips them with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. The two local startups chosen as Bearcat Ventures' first investments are Tembo, a Postgres developer platform founded by a former University of Cincinnati student, and Band Connect, a connected health platform co-founded by a UC DAAP alumna.
UC grad launches lifesaving climbing tech
July 8, 2024
Michael Ragsdale started fall safety company Bailout Systems to keep rock climbers, firefighters and military members safe as they go about risky tasks. With the help of the University of Cincinnati's Venture Lab, he's been able to grow his startup.
UC 1819 Innovation Hub fuels Cincinnati’s startup success
July 8, 2024
An impressive 33% of the startups featured in this year's Cincy Inno’s Top Startups to Watch list and finalists for the Business Courier’s Cincy Inno Fire Awards are either founded by University of Cincinnati alums or are associated with UC’s corporate investor partners. UC has strategically identified and developed programs centered around fundamental influences for startup success.