Accelerator Main Page
Philosophy
Our goal is to develop your entrepreneurial mindset by creating an environment where you can focus exclusively on developing your idea, building a prototype, talking to customers, and launching your startup. We accomplish this through workshops, mentoring, networks, and projects. The program has been developed by world class educators. Our mentors are successful entrepreneurs and/or investors who power you to plug into a great network, while you work on immersive projects that change the way you think.
What We Do
Our team consists of entrepreneurs, mentors, tech partners, and faculty, who are dedicated to helping students transform ideas into reality through workshops and direct mentoring. We work with participants to create 2-minute promo videos, 5-minute pitch videos and an investor pitch deck.
NVA 1 and NVA 2 consists of hands-on learning and mentoring. Every week, startup teams will be required to complete one workshop and meet virtually with mentors.
Have a question? Please review our FAQs below.
NVA 1
10 Fridays
Dates: 9/18/2026 - 11/20/2026
You do not need an idea to participate
Applications are Closed
Fall '26 Applications Will Close April 24, 2026
This program is open to all CUNY students. We encourage students, whether they have an idea or not to apply.
Participants can join a team and develop a venture from the ground up, or choose a team that already has an idea.
Teams will then work with our mentors and support team to go from an idea to a learning prototype.
NVA 2
10 Fridays
Dates: 1/30/2026 - 4/10/2026
For founders with a team and a prototype
Applications are Closed
Spring '26 Applications Will Open Fall 2026
This is for participants who have a team and a prototype.
The prototype does not have to be a functional prototype. For example, the prototype can be 3D printed or an interactive screen created using PowerPoint or Proto.io (suggestions only).
The purpose of NVA 2 is to advance your startup so that you’re ready to launch.
NVA 1 Schedule
Requirements
- This is for individual students and teams
- You must be a CUNY student or recent graduate (within 1 year)
- You will receive a certificate of completion of the program. You must attend all weekly 2-hour workshops and 2-hour mentoring sessions within each respective module.
Schedule
- Starts September 18, 2026 and ends November 20, 2026
- Sessions are Fridays (In-Person) 10AM-12PM & (Virtual) 12PM-2PM
NVA 2 Schedule
Requirements
- Teams of 1+ co-founders
The best teams have co-founders with multiple talents: design, development, business, marketing, etc. - You must have a built-out learning prototype (MVP)
- At least one person on your team must be a CUNY student or recent graduate (within 1 year)
- You must attend all sessions
Schedule
- Starts January 30, 2026 and ends on April 10, 2026
- Sessions are Fridays (In-Person) 10AM-12PM & (Virtual) 12PM-2PM
NVA 1
No, NVA 1 teams can only include CUNY students or recent CUNY alum (within one year).
No, NVA 1 encourages and welcomes students without ideas. All students will become a co-founder within a team that works on one idea. NVA 1 takes students from the idea stage to a learning prototype.
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Apply early, as space is limited and will be first come, first served.
We have 3 goals: 1) Each team develops a learning prototype 2) All students come away with a good understanding of entrepreneurship 3) All students get hands-on experience in the early stages of entrepreneurship.
NVA 2
Yes, for NVA 2. NVA 2 takes participants from the learning prototype stage to the pre-launch stage of their startup.
Yes, NVA 2 teams can include CUNY and Non-CUNY students/alum. However, NVA 2 teams must have at least 1 CUNY student on the team with no less than 5% equity in the startup. We do consider the equity of the CUNY student’s equity during the application review.
We have 2 goals: 1) Each startup advances to the pre-launch stage 2) All startup teams come away with a 2-minute promo video, 5-minute pitch video, and an investor pitch deck.
Nothing. It’s 100% FREE.
Of course not! You don’t have to be a programmer or a business major to be an innovator. In fact, most CUNY Startups alum work in non-technical roles. All majors, industries, and career paths are encouraged to apply because various skills can translate into the success of a startup.
We welcome all types of ideas and startups, from social impact to tech.
We are not an academic program and do not offer course credit. This is a hands-on entrepreneurship program. However, NVA 1 participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Yes, we have a team of mentors who will work with you every week.
The application process is broken down into two parts. Part 1 is application submission. Part 2 is our review of the applications. We open the application process roughly 3 months prior to our first session. We appreciate the time and effort applicants devote to the process and work diligently to return the favor with careful consideration.
Each application is carefully reviewed by a CUNY Startups Team Member, Mentor and/or Volunteer. As applicants move forward in the process, we collectively weigh in to ensure your candidacy will be considered from as many perspectives as possible.
Yes! Current CUNY Students (Undergraduate, Graduate, Non-Matriculated, Certification Pursuant) and Alum are eligible for NVA programs, contingent the alum has graduated within the past 12 months.
Yes. Our interview days are virtually completed.
If you’re accepted and have a reasonable need for a deferral, you may request one from our Executive Team for the following year.
Yes! We welcome your interests and aspirations of developing and launching a startup. You can reapply to our programs. We understand that you may have grown personally and/or professionally during the interim and would love to hear from you again.
Our accelerator alumni have more jobs, greater job satisfaction and greater workplace engagement. We believe the hands-on learning and mentoring in our entrepreneurship program develops attributes that are attractive to employers everywhere.
In addition to obtaining great jobs, our participants go on to launch their startups, create new startups, and join other startups as employees.
We do not take any equity, nor do we provide seed funding.
In response to COVID-19, we will adhere to CUNY’s Covid policy. As of today, we expect both of our accelerator programs will be held in-person and virtually on Fridays. We want to provide a hybrid/flexible format for our prospective founders.