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Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA·University
At a glance
Indexed programs
5
5 currently active
Top direct funding
No direct cash prizes indexed
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
4
Entrepreneurship Center · Accelerator · Grant Fund
Research verdict
Included in our research index.
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
5 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
Leopard Launch Pitch Competition
Pitch CompetitionAlso: WIT Leopard Launch
$0 – $10,000
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-06-25
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Rapid Pitch Competition
Pitch CompetitionAlso: WIT Rapid Pitch
$0 – $500
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-06-25
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Known Startups and Winners
Named Leopard Launch and Rapid Pitch winners were not captured in the current vault research pass; see wit-leopard-launch and wit-rapid-pitch for prize structure.
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Accelerate Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center
Wentworth Institute of Technology's entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on Accelerate (Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center), a dedicated hub led by Executive Director Ashley Lucas with a 5,000 sq ft makerspace in the CEIS Building. The Leopard Launch pitch competition awards up to $10,000 during Wentworth Weekend. The Accelerate Co-op for Entrepreneurs (ACE) provides a distinctive paid co-op model with up to $2,500 in materials and $7K-$9K in wages. The Founder Seed Fund offers up to $2,500 for prototyping and proof-of-concept development. The Rapid Pitch Competition provides $500 for early-stage ideas each spring. An Entrepreneur-in-Residence program with Michael Santora (WIT '05) provides ongoing mentorship.
Key Details
- Central Hub: Accelerate Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center (CEIS Building, 555 Parker St.)
- Leadership: Ashley Lucas (Executive Director, formerly Babson CWEL WIN Lab)
- Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Michael Santora (WIT '05, founder/CEO of Logic)
- Makerspace: 5,000 sq ft (woodshop, laser cutter, 3D printing, sewing, ceramics, spray booth)
- Seed Funding: Founder Seed Fund ($2.5K), Rapid Pitch ($500), ACE co-op ($9.5K-$11.5K)
- Pitch Competition: Leopard Launch ($10K), Rapid Pitch ($500)
- Co-op: ACE paid co-op program for student entrepreneurs
- Ecosystem: COF (Colleges of the Fenway) cross-registration
- Academic: BS Business Management with Entrepreneurship concentration
- Address: 550 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Assessment
Tier 2 (medium confidence) — Developing ecosystem anchored by Accelerate center with experienced leadership (Ashley Lucas, former Babson WIN Lab director). The ACE co-op program is distinctive and well-funded ($9.5K-$11.5K per student, paid co-op). Leopard Launch ($10K) provides meaningful pitch prizes. Founder Seed Fund ($2.5K) and Rapid Pitch ($500) offer low-barrier entry points. The 5,000 sq ft makerspace provides dedicated innovation infrastructure. However, there is no formal accelerator program, no venture fund, and funding amounts are modest. No dedicated student venture fund.
News & articles
5 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
5 sources
Official sources(5)
Accelerate - Wentworth Institute of Technology Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Accelerate - Wentworth Institute of Technology Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center
Source: https://wit.edu/accelerate Captured: 2026-06-25 Accelerate is Wentworth's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. Key details from main page: Central hub for innovation and entrepreneurship at WIT Located on 1st floor of CEIS Building, 555 Parker St., Boston Led by Executive Director Ashley Lucas Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Michael Santora (WIT '05, founder/CEO of Logic) Lab Technician: Tory Lam (makerspace) Offers programs for entrepreneurs, makers, and innovators Entrepreneurship Programs: Leopard Launch Pitch Competition: Annual, during Wentworth Weekend, up to $10,000 prizes for top 3 + fan favorite Rapid Pitch Competition: Spring semester, up to $500 for prototyping/PoC Accelerate Co-op for Entrepreneurs (ACE): Paid co-op for launching/growing a business, $2,500 materials + $7K-$9K wages Founder Seed Fund: Up to $2,500 for prototyping and proof-of-concept Entrepreneurship Office Hours: EIR office hours via Calendly Business Series: 4-part workshop on customer discovery, market segmentation, prototyping Makerspace: 5,000 sq ft makerspace Woodshop, laser cutter, 3D printing, sewing, ceramics wheels, spray paint booth Workshops on design thinking, prototyping One-on-one sessions with Lab Technician Open to all students, faculty, staff, and COF (Colleges of the Fenway) friends
Read on Wentworth Institute of Technology
Accelerate Co-op for Entrepreneurs (ACE) - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Accelerate Co-op for Entrepreneurs (ACE) - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Source: https://wit.edu/accelerate (ACE section) Captured: 2026-06-25 Accelerate Co-op for Entrepreneurs (ACE): Unique program for WIT entrepreneurial students Use co-op semester to launch and/or grow a business while getting paid Full semester focusing exclusively on business Work with faculty advisors and mentors Accelerate support through staff and makerspace Access to peer network of WIT student entrepreneurs Up to $2,500 to spend on materials and supplies Between $7,000 and $9,000 in wages to ensure students can focus on business full-time Applications open for fall 2026 cohort Brochure and application available via Google Drive
Read on Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founder Seed Fund - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founder Seed Fund - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Source: https://wit.edu/accelerate (Founder Seed Fund section) Captured: 2026-06-25 Founder Seed Fund: Supports inventors and entrepreneurs who want to launch a new product or service Helps finance prototype and proof-of-concept development Provides prototyping support and use of materials/equipment at Accelerate makerspace Up to $2,500 in funding Available to any undergraduate or graduate student at WIT Goal must be to launch a business Enables quick building, testing, and sharing of concepts
Read on Wentworth Institute of Technology
Leopard Launch Pitch Competition - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Leopard Launch Pitch Competition - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Source: https://wit.edu/accelerate (Leopard Launch section) Source: https://catalog.wit.edu/academic-resources/accelerate/ Captured: 2026-06-25 Leopard Launch Pitch Competition: Annual pitch competition during Wentworth Weekend (Homecoming) Open to WIT student entrepreneurs who have established traction and begun validating their ideas Prizes up to $10,000 awarded to top three finalists plus fan favorite Pitches to live audience of WIT alumni, friends, and family Next competition: October 23, 2026 Applications open in September 2026 2024 and 2025 recordings available on Panopto
Read on Wentworth Institute of Technology
Rapid Pitch Competition - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Rapid Pitch Competition - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Source: https://wit.edu/accelerate (Rapid Pitch section) Source: https://catalog.wit.edu/academic-resources/accelerate/ Captured: 2026-06-25 Rapid Pitch Competition: Designed for students with new business and product ideas Pitch for chance to receive up to $500 for prototyping and proof-of-concept funding Opportunity to receive feedback, expand network, meet other entrepreneurs Practice pitching businesses Held every spring semester Last competition: March 18, 2026 Applications for 2027 go live in spring 2027
Read on Wentworth Institute of Technology
This profile lists 5 programs for Wentworth Institute of Technology. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.
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