Applications are open for Loyola鈥檚 Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship鈥檚 Baltipreneurs Accelerator Program
The Baltipreneurs Accelerator Program will select up to eight innovators to participate in business and entrepreneurship instruction from Loyola faculty members and other partners, as well as mentorship, one-on-one pitch training, networking, a photo session for professional portraits, a minimum $2,000 stipend, and be eligible for additional awards.
Entrepreneurs are invited to apply by Dec. 15, 2021, to receive support for their business or innovative social venture through Loyola鈥檚 Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CI&E).
Preference will be given to applicants who identify as underrepresented entrepreneurs, including but not limited to women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of color, entrepreneurs with disabilities, or veteran entrepreneurs. Final awardees are peer-selected by members of the cohort.
鈥淭he CI&E leveraged more than $70,000 in financial support to last year鈥檚 large group of 13 Baltipreneurs,鈥� said Wendy Bolger, director of the CI&E. 鈥淲e can guarantee a minimum of $40,000 in non-dilutive grants going out to the eight participating ventures this year. Capital aside, the lasting value will be in the relationships you build, and the confidence and experience you gain.鈥�
Participants in the Baltipreneurs Accelerator Program will also benefit from technical assistance and access to capital. The program ends with a Demo Day pitch in early spring.
In one recent success story from the 2019-2020 Baltipreneur Accelerator Cohort, Baltipreneurs Algen Air and Clymb (formerly Infinite Focus Schools) were each awarded $10,000 to support contract work in manufacturing and software development through the (MBIA) Impact Grant. This is the second grant each company has received from MBIA since joining Baltipreneurs.
Applications for the program are now open, with rolling admission through Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. Applicants can expect a prompt reply regarding the status of their application.
This is the third year of the Baltipreneur Accelerator program. Read more about last year鈥檚 cohort.
For more information on the Baltipreneurs Accelerator Program, visit www.loyola.edu/accelerator.