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Boston University
Boston, MA·University
At a glance
Indexed programs
8
8 currently active
Top direct funding
No direct cash prizes indexed
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
8
Pitch Competition · Student Organization · Fellowship
Research verdict
Included in our research index.
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
8 programs indexed
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Agrinova
Boston University · Summer Accelerator
2025 BU Summer Accelerator cohort (Meritxell Ortodo '26).
Antioch Technologies
Finalist
placement
Boston University · Summer Accelerator
2026 BU NVC semi-finalist and Summer Accelerator cohort (Mark Lucas '26).
Astra Wellbeing
2nd place
placement
Boston University · $80K New Venture Competition
BU NVC 2nd place 2023; seven-figure acquisition in 2026 (Johar Singh '24).
AttorneyAlert
$5,000
prize won
Boston University · $80K New Venture Competition
2026 BU New Venture Competition General track 3rd place (Brian Namnoum '26).
BrightBook
Boston University · Summer Accelerator
2025 BU Summer Accelerator cohort.
Farms for Thought
$20,000
prize won
Boston University · $80K New Venture Competition
2026 BU New Venture Competition Social Impact 1st place (Emma Hudson '27).
Magnesis Robotics
$20,000
prize won
Boston University · $80K New Venture Competition
2026 BU New Venture Competition General track 1st place (Pranav Sultania '27, Isabella Santarpia '27).
Naya
$10,000
prize won
Boston University · $80K New Venture Competition
2026 BU New Venture Competition General track 2nd place (Julia Yusupov '25).
Historical winners (research notes)
- Magnesis Robotics — NVC General track 1st place 2026 (Pranav Sultania '27, Isabella Santarpia '27)
- Farms for Thought — NVC Social Impact 1st place 2026 (Emma Hudson '27)
- Naya — NVC General 2nd place 2026 (Julia Yusupov '25)
- AttorneyAlert — NVC General 3rd place 2026 (Brian Namnoum '26)
- Antioch Technologies — NVC semi-finalist 2026; Summer Accelerator 2026 cohort (Mark Lucas '26)
- Astra Wellbeing — NVC 2nd place 2023; seven-figure acquisition in 2026 (Johar Singh '24)
- Agrinova — Summer Accelerator 2025 cohort (Meritxell Ortodo '26)
- BrightBook — Summer Accelerator 2025 cohort
Boston University
Innovate@BU
Boston University's entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on Innovate@BU, a university-wide initiative launched in 2018 with $20M+ investment. Executive Director Siobhan Dullea (CAS'91) leads a hub serving all 17 BU schools and colleges from the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center (6,000 sq ft at 730 Commonwealth Ave). The ecosystem features strong flagship programs: the $80K New Venture Competition (25+ years, $500K+ awarded), Summer Accelerator ($10K stipends), and structured Innovation Pathway.
Key Details
- Central Hub: Innovate@BU (Executive Director Siobhan Dullea)
- Physical Space: IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, 730 Commonwealth Ave (6,000 sq ft, opened 2018)
- Pitch Competition: $80K New Venture Competition ($20K first place per track, two tracks)
- Accelerator: Summer Accelerator ($10K stipend, 10-week, 10-12 teams per cohort)
- Pathway: Innovation Pathway with Pathfinder Bootcamps
- Fellowships: Enlight Fellowship (10-week summer), First-Year Innovation Fellowship
- TTO: Office of Technology Development
- Student Club: BU Entrepreneur's Club (E-Club)
- Facilities: EPIC (Engineering Product Innovation Center, 15,000 sq ft)
- Academic: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Minor
- Funding Model: Donation-funded (not tuition-supported)
Assessment
Tier 2 (high confidence) — Well-funded central hub (Innovate@BU, $20M+ initiative) with strong flagship programs. $80K NVC prize pool is substantial ($20K per track, $86K total in 2026). Summer Accelerator provides meaningful $10K stipends. Dedicated physical space (6,000 sq ft IDG Capital Student Innovation Center). Innovation Pathway provides clear progression. OTD for tech transfer. No dedicated university venture fund, no incubator building (innovation center is more co-working/event space), no formal equity investment program.
News & articles
8 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Boston University.
8 sources
Official sources(8)
Boston University
BU Entrepreneur's Club (E-Club)
--- title: "BU Entrepreneur's Club (E-Club)" source_url: https://eclub.bu.edu capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Student-run club for BU entrepreneurs. Hosts events including Dessert and Design. Selective community of founders and innovators. Active on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram. Strong linkage to Innovate@BU ecosystem. Connects members to NVC, Summer Accelerator, and other Innovate@BU programs.
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Boston University
Enlight Fellowship
--- title: "Enlight Fellowship" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate/meet-the-2026-enlight-fellows/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- 10-week summer fellowship program generously funded. Supports student innovators at Boston University. 2026 Enlight Fellows cohort announced April 2026. Part of Innovate@BU's programming.
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Boston University
Innovate@BU
--- title: "Innovate@BU" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- University-wide entrepreneurship initiative at Boston University. Launched 2018 with $20M+ investment. Executive Director: Siobhan Dullea (CAS'91). Open to all BU students across 17 schools and colleges. Offers programs, events, coaching, competitions, and community. Housed in IDG Capital Student Innovation Center at 730 Commonwealth Ave. Funded entirely by donations (not student tuition). Programs include New Venture Competition ($80K+), Summer Accelerator ($10K stipends), Innovation Pathway, Enlight Fellowship, First-Year Innovation Fellowship.
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Boston University
IDG Capital Student Innovation Center
--- title: "IDG Capital Student Innovation Center" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate/about/student-innovation-center/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Physical home of Innovate@BU at 730 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. 6,000 sq ft space with co-working areas, meeting rooms, event space. Opened January 2018. Formerly called BUild Lab, rebranded to IDG Capital Student Innovation Center in ~2024. Open to all BU students and recent alumni. Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (summer). Hosts workshops, hackathons, accelerators, classes.
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Boston University
Innovation Pathway
--- title: "Innovation Pathway" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate/programs-competitions/innovation-pathway/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Structured step-by-step program guiding BU students from idea exploration to venture launch. Includes Pathfinder Bootcamps. Provides workshops, mentoring, and funding opportunities. Part of Innovate@BU's programming. Open to all BU students regardless of major or experience level.
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Boston University
$80K New Venture Competition
--- title: "$80K New Venture Competition" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate/programs-competitions/new-venture-competition capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Annual pitch competition with $80,000+ prize pool. Two tracks: General (for-profit) and Social Impact. Prizes per track: 1st $20,000, 2nd $10,000, 3rd $6,000, Audience Choice $500. Open to BU students and Class of 2025 alumni. 25+ years running. Over 1,000 applications and $500K+ awarded in history. Culminates at Innovators' Night. 2026: 20 semi-finalists, 10 finalists. 525+ attendees. $86K total awarded including special awards. 2026 winners: Magnesis Robotics (General), Farms for Thought (Social Impact). 2025: 25th anniversary year.
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Boston University
Office of Technology Development
--- title: "Office of Technology Development" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/research/offices-contacts/research-support-offices/technology-development/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- BU's tech transfer office. Helps BU inventors bring projects to market through patents, licensing, company formation, and entrepreneurship programs. Contacts: Nevena Dimova (life sciences), Frances Forrester (medtech), Misty F. (engineering/physical sciences). Part of BU's Office of Research.
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Boston University
Summer Accelerator
--- title: "Summer Accelerator" source_url: https://www.bu.edu/innovate/programs-competitions/summer-accelerator/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- 10-week intensive program for early-stage BU ventures. $10,000 stipend per team. Workshops twice a week, mentorship with leading innovators, final presentation to investors and community. Open to BU students and Class of 2025 alumni. 2026 cohort: 10 teams including Antioch Technologies, AttorneyAlert, Bendi, GrantWare AI, FumiTranslator. 2025 cohort: 12 teams including Agrinova, BrightBook, Epoch Labs. Cohorts since 2019.
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This profile lists 8 programs for Boston University. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.
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