Innovate@BU Programs & Competitions
Turn ideas into impact—no experience required.
Our extracurricular programs offer the tools, mentorship, and community you need to succeed, all designed to fit your busy schedule. From quick workshops to immersive experiences, we have programs and resources for students from all BU schools and colleges — undergrads through PhDs! Explore the categories below to find the right fit for you.
Now Accepting Applications:
First-Year Innovation Fellowship
Apply by Sep 15 to develop your entrepreneurial mindset, build leadership skills, and have fun in an inclusive community of first-year students.
Innovation Pathway
Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your venture into a scalable business.
Idea Incubator
Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.
Project Action
Apply any time to get the funding and coaching you need to launch a community project, such as an art installation, concert, or conference.
New To Innovation and Entrepreneurship?
First-Year Innovation Fellowship
Apply by Sept 15 to develop your entrepreneurial mindset, build leadership skills, and have fun in an inclusive community of first-year students.
Idea Incubator
Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.
Already Have a Business?
Innovation Pathway
Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your venture into a scalable business.
Summer Accelerator
Immerse yourself in a 10-week accelerator to bring your startup or nonprofit to life with $10k in funding and mentorship. Applications open in Spring 2025.
$72k New Venture Competition
Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Applications will open in Fall 2024.
Cannabis Competition
Pitch your cannabis-related innovation and compete for $10,000 in funding and mentorship from industry leaders. Applications will open in Fall 2024.
Social Entrepreneurship
Changemaker Challenge
A yearly challenge where students use their creativity to solve tangible, meaningful problems in our community.
Project Action
Apply any time and launch a community project with funding and coaching tailored to your goals. Previous funded projects include benefit concerts, conferences, art installations, and more.
Enlight
A summer program that provides a $10,000 stipend to intern at a Boston nonprofit and develop your own social venture. Applications open in Spring 2025.
Innovation Pathway
Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock additional funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your social venture into a scalable, impactful business.
Sustainability Seed Grants
Kick-start your sustainability project with up to $500 in funding. Applications open in Fall 2024.
$72k New Venture Competition
Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Apply to the Social Impact track. Applications open in Fall 2024.
Idea Incubator
Apply any time and come up with a viable idea you care about in 8 weeks or less.
Competitions
$72k New Venture Competition
Take center stage to compete for cash prizes, gain expert insights, and build your network. Applications open in Fall 2024.
Changemaker Challenge
A yearly challenge where students use their creativity to solve tangible, meaningful problems in our community.
Cannabis Competition
Pitch your cannabis-related innovation and compete for $10,000 in funding and mentorship from industry leaders. Applications open in Fall of 2024.
Summer Programs
Summer Accelerator
Immerse yourself in a 10-week accelerator to bring your startup or nonprofit to life with $10k in funding and mentorship. Applications open Spring 2o25.
Enlight
A summer program that provides a $10,000 stipend to intern at a Boston nonprofit and develop your own social venture. Applications open Spring 2025.
Innovation Pathway
Apply any time and progress through stages to unlock additional funding, mentorship, and resources to grow your social venture into a scalable, impactful business. Summer interview dates are available.