Spark Program
About the program · 2 linked sources
The Spark Program is Brandeis University's accelerator for non-bench research ventures (software, apps, social ventures, etc.), run by the Virtual Incubator under Brandeis Innovation. Provides training, mentorship, and eligibility for up to $10,000 in seed funding. Open to all Brandeis affiliates. Fall application cycle. Culminates in the SparkTank pitch competition. Students own their IP (if exempt from Brandeis IP policy).
Also known as: Brandeis Spark
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-25); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$10,000
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-06-25
High confidence
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Aquality
Brandeis University
2024 Brandeis Tech-Bash project documented in Spark ecosystem research.
Manifest Apparel
Finalist
placement
Brandeis University
2022 Brandeis Spark Program finalist.
Rezzie
Finalist
placement
Brandeis University
2022 Brandeis Spark Program finalist.
Tenant2Tenant
Finalist
placement
Brandeis University
2022 Brandeis Spark Program finalist.
The Insulin Project
Finalist
placement
Brandeis University
2022 Brandeis Spark Program finalist.
WrittenSpells
Finalist
placement
Brandeis University
2022 Brandeis Spark Program finalist.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Spark Program at Brandeis University.
2 sources
Brandeis Innovation / Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center
Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis Innovation / Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center
--- title: "Brandeis Innovation / Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center" source_url: https://www.brandeis.edu/innovation capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Central hub for innovation and entrepreneurship at Brandeis University. Combines Office of Technology Licensing with Virtual Incubator. Associate Provost for Innovation and Executive Director of OTL: Rebecca Menapace, MBA, CLP. Located at Bernstein-Marcus, 415 South Street, Waltham. Signature programs: Spark (non-bench accelerator), Sprout (bench commercialization), I-Corps support. Fosters technology commercialization across all disciplines.
Read on Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Spark Program
--- title: "Spark Program" source_url: https://www.brandeis.edu/innovation/grant-programs/spark/index.html capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Brandeis' accelerator for non-bench research. Open to undergrads, grad students, postdocs, faculty, staff. Provides training, mentorship, and eligibility for seed funding. Up to $10,000 in funding divided among most promising projects. Fall application cycle. Teams own IP (for students exempt from IP policy). Culminates in SparkTank pitch competition. Eligible projects: environment, education, computer science, healthcare, economic solutions, social needs.
Read on Brandeis University