Objective
The Bentley E-Hub Incubator Program aims to assist student teams in developing and refining high-potential startup ventures. Operating locally at Bentley University and in collaboration with Bentley E-Hub partners, this program offers a comprehensive suite of resources over one year to effectively support the growth and success of student-led projects.
Purpose
This initiative is designed to support student teams interested in nurturing early-stage ideas into startup ventures. It aligns with Bentley E-Hub’s commitment to promoting an entrepreneurial mindset among its students, providing the necessary foundation to explore innovative business opportunities.
Incubator Program 2024-25
Pitch Presentation
When & Where:
Date: Friday September 20, 2024
Time: 5:30pm
Location: LaCava 305AB 325AB Results Announced: September 24, 2024
Open to the entire Bentley community (see Eligibility below).
Just bring an innovative idea with a high potential.
Pitch your idea and what you will do with $1,000 if you are selected.
- Team: A team (2-5) must be led by a Bentley community member.
- Judges: A panel of judges will select teams to move forward to Phase 2. The judges' decisions are final.
- Awardees: About 10 teams will move forward. (Judges may select less or more based on the availability of funds and the number of applications)
- Seed Funding: Each selected team will receive $1,000 to develop the idea further.
- Resources: The teams can access the Entrepreneurship Resource base, the MIT Orbit platform, and Mentor Networks.
- Team Commitment: Each selected team commits to developing their ideas over six weeks to compete in Phase 2.
Pitch Deck Budget Guidelines Seed Funding vs. Prize Money
Judges: - Jim Burnham '80
- Joe Caprio '04
- Kim Sheehy '96
- Julie O'Brien '92
Pitch Presentation
When & Where:
Date: Thursday November 7, 2024
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: LaCava 325ABC Results Announced: November 11, 2024
Open to teams that have passed Phase 1
Bring a well developed innovative idea with a high potential
Pitch your idea and what you will do with $3,000 if you are selected.
- Team: A team (2-5) must be led by a Bentley community member.
- Judges: A panel of judges will select teams to move forward to Phase 3. The judges' decisions are final.
- Awardees: About 4 teams will move forward. (Judges may select less or more based on the availability of funds and the number of applications)
- Seed Funding: Each selected team will receive $3,000 to develop the idea further.
- Resources: In addition to the resources from Phase 1, each team will work with a specific mentor to develop their ideas further, and will get access to a shared desk at CIC.
- Team Commitment: Each selected team commits to continue developing their ideas over the next three months, including the winter break, to compete in Phase 3.
Pitch Deck Budget Guidelines Seed Funding vs. Prize Money
Judges:
Pitch Presentation
When & Where:
Date: Thursday February 6, 2025
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
Location: LaCava 305AB Results Announced: February 12, 2025
Open to teams that have passed Phase 2
Bring a well developed innovative idea with a high potential
Pitch your idea and what you will do with $10,000 if you are selected.
- Team: A team (2-5) must be led by a Bentley community member.
- Judges: A panel of judges will select teams to move forward. The judges' decisions are final.
- Awardees: About 2 teams will move forward. (Judges may select less or more based on the availability of funds and the number of applications)
- Seed Funding: Each selected team will receive $10,000 to develop the idea further.
- Resources: In addition to the resources from Phase 2, each team will work with a specific mentor to develop their ideas further.
- Team Commitment: Each selected team commits to continue working on their ideas and developing their plans over the next six months, including summer, to prepare for moving to the next step, which may include making a pitch to early-stage investors in your plan. Each selected team also commits to present their ideas, status, and future plans as we kick off the next cycle (September 2025).
Pitch Deck Budget Guidelines Seed Funding vs. Prize Money
Judges: - Jim Burnham '80
- Janak Joshi '01
- Debbie Millin '92
- Kim Sheehy '96
- The teams commit to sharing their progress, discussing any challenges faced, and remaining accountable for appropriately spending seed funding and focused on their goals.
- The E-Hub will help connect the selected teams with potential investors as well as additional pitch competitions with our partners which can provide access to additional funds to develop your startup.
- The teams also commit to presenting their ideas, current status, and future plans as we kick off the next cycle in September 2025.
Eligibility
Eligibility
- The Bentley E-hub Incubator Program is available to teams that are led by a member of the Bentley community (current undergraduate or graduate student, faculty, staff, or a Bentley alum who has graduated within the last 5 years).
- Students may enter the Bentley E-hub incubator program, either by developing their own ideas or by joining teams with compelling ideas.
- Student/s teams who have been developing their ideas (e.g. as part of a class project, as part of another pitch competition on campus, as part of activities in the FDS seminar, as discussions with faculty, alumni, family, and many other) can use the Incubator as an opportunity to build and develop their ideas.
- Students can use the MIT Orbit Platform to brainstorm and refine new ideas, connect with others in the Bentley community for team formation, or join existing teams.