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Pava Center Student Accelerators (Kindling, Spark, Fuel)
Also known as: JHU Student Accelerators, FastForward U Accelerators
Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD
Three-stage accelerator pipeline under the Pava Center: Kindling (pre-accelerator), Spark (early-stage), and Fuel (later-stage). Designed to meet student founders at their stage and move them through a progression from idea exploration to market-ready ventures. Each runs fall and spring semesters.
Quick fit check
- Offers direct funding
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
$200 – $15,000
Equity
None
Application
Semiannual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-06-24
High confidence
Kindling
Entry-level pre-accelerator for students exploring entrepreneurship. In-person at Pava Center. Awards: $700 first place, $500 second place, $300 audience choice. Part of Pava Center's accelerator suite.
Spark
Early-stage accelerator, 9 weeks, for student teams or solo founders to explore, test, and validate ideas. In-person. Awards up to $2,000. Spring 2026 showcase featured 50+ teams. Up to 10 teams per cohort.
Fuel
Later-stage accelerator for ventures poised for growth. Semester-long with structured workshops on customer development, pitching, and scaling. Hybrid in-person/online. Awards: $1,000 entry grant, $4,000 upon completion, $10,000 Demo Day prize to one team. Up to 5 ventures per cohort.
Activity & Impact
All three accelerators active with fall 2025 and spring 2026 cohorts completed. Kindling winners fall 2025: Recyclords, Weildflower Arts, Oops We Scaled it Again. Demonstrable progression pipeline from Kindling through Fuel. Part of a comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Pava Center Student Accelerators (Kindling, Spark, Fuel) at Johns Hopkins University.
1 source
Pava Center Student Accelerator Programs
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Pava Center Student Accelerator Programs
# Pava Center Student Accelerator Programs Pava Center student accelerators: Kindling (pre-accelerator, entry-level, $700/$500/$300 prizes), Spark (early-stage, 9 weeks, up to $2K awards, 50+ teams per showcase), Fuel (later-stage, semester, up to $15K awards, $1K entry + $4K completion + $10K Demo Day prize). Fall and spring cycles. In-person and hybrid options.
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