WHAT IS IT?
The Innovation Center’s startup accelerator, “The Hive”, is a 6-month, intensive program designed to help new businesses successfully launch in a condensed amount of time. Up to five startups will be accepted into each cycle, and those startups will be given professional mentorship, access to all of the Innovation Center’s workspaces (co-working offices, conference room and makerspaces), and financial resources. In return, we expect those startups to actively work on their businesses at least 20 hours per week with the Innovation Center for those six months.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Complete the Startup Accelerator Application Form below.
WHO WILL HELP ME SUCCEED?
If accepted, you will be assigned an accountability partner through the Innovation Center to help guide you through the startup process. In addition, experts from SUU’s Business Center, the Women’s Business Center of Southern Utah, Southwest Technical College and the Chamber of Commerce are all housed in the Innovation Center building and available for center clients. We also have access to experienced professional mentors from a variety of business fields who are excited to share what they’ve learned and help others find success.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES?
In addition to the day-to-day work with your accountability partner and others, you will also participate in events designed to help you further your business. These events will assist you in developing and refining your business idea and investor pitch, as well as network with professionals who include potential mentors, partners, and investors. Some of the planned events include:
-Weekly lunches with successful entrepreneurs
-Prototype Day (near the start of the accelerator cycle)
-Rehearsal Day (near the end of the accelerator cycle)
-Demo Day (at the end of the accelerator cycle)
-Thinkubator
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
If accepted, you would need to commit to working full-time (at least 20 hours per week) on your startup during the accelerator cycle. You would also need to commit to attending the accelerator-sponsored events mentioned in the previous section. In return, we commit to providing you with a physical workspace, access to our conference room for group meetings, access to our makerspace facilities, access to an accountability partner and professional mentors, and access to seed funding through the center, as well as assistance applying for other seed-funding opportunities.
HAS THIS MODEL BEEN SUCCESSFUL BEFORE?
Yes! In fact, the model our center’s accelerator program is based on, Y Combinator , has helped launch companies that include Airbnb, DoorDash, Coinbase, Dropbox, Stripe, Instacart, and Reddit, among many others.