UndergradVCCampus Startup Intelligence
Sign in

Sponsorship

Featured partner placement

Sponsor Colgate University once and your brand appears on the Colgate University page and across every one of its programs and student-startup pages — not just this page.

AcceleratorDirect fundingNo equityVerified

TIA Summer Accelerator

Also known as: Colgate Summer Accelerator

Colgate University · Hamilton, NY

A selective summer accelerator program designed to support TIA Incubator ventures ready to move beyond early validation into execution, traction, and scale. Operated since 2013. The program provides targeted non-dilutive grant funding ($7,500-$10,000), intensive mentorship, and structured accountability for a small cohort of high-performing student founders. Hybrid format: on-campus kickoff + remote fieldwork + NYC capstone with alumni networking.

See every program at Colgate UniversityFind your best fit

Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$10,000 – $10,000

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2025-07-26

High confidence

Application and Timing

Annual, summer schedule. 2025: June 2-July 26. 2026: May 11-Aug 7 (redesigned). 3 portions: (1) Kickoff Bootcamp (4-day on-campus intensive, required in-person), (2) Field Work (remote or in-person), (3) Capstone Week (NYC, required in-person). Application deadline: mid-February. Selection by panel of alumni entrepreneurs.

Participants

Open to for-profit and nonprofit ventures and campus initiatives with at least one Colgate student or recent alum (class of 2015+) on the founding team. At least one member must reside in Hamilton for bootcamp and attend NYC capstone in person. Ideal candidates have completed prototyping and have initial traction.

Funding and Equity

$10,000 non-dilutive grant per team (2025: $10,000; program page lists $7,500). Disbursed in installments over the summer. Room, board, and workspace provided on campus for the duration. No equity taken. Made possible by gifts from alumni, family, and friends.

Recent Activity

2026 program redesigned: now exclusively for current TIA Incubator ventures. Streamlined hybrid schedule. Mentorship continuum extended beyond summer. Feedback-driven evolution from fully in-person to hybrid format.

Verification Gaps

  • Cohort size per year.
  • Total ventures accelerated since 2013.
  • Follow-on outcomes (funding raised, revenue, jobs created).

TIA Summer Accelerator

Known Ventures

  • RUBY (Riley Decker '23, Emily Untermeyer '23) — Food waste reduction.
  • SoilSoul (Harshitha Talasila '26) — Sustainable farming.
  • Vitalize (Talia Broder '28) — Health/wellness venture.
  • Hunter Macy '22 — Venture validated through Accelerator.
  • Multiple other ventures across sectors.
Additional research notesShow