Entrepreneurs commit to working full-time (~40 hours/week) to incubate the development of their ideas, gain traction with customers, and build a case for investment with seed funders, if necessary. Using “lean startup” principles, participants work in concert with mentors on the components of their business model and collect the data to validate whether their idea has growth potential. Entrepreneurs must be available to attend all content, mentoring, showcase, and pitch sessions.

• • 5-7 ventures will be selected to participate in the program. 
  • SLI in person meetings are scheduled weekly [June 2 – July 16] with an all-day in person orientation on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Stipend for each venture in the cohort is $5,000, paid at the completion of the program
  • Ventures must commit to participate in this program FULL TIME and commit to putting in the necessary work.  Attendance is mandatory. At least one member of the venture must be a Georgetown student. That student must be either part or full-time student in a certificate or degree program, or an alumnus who has graduated in the past year. Other team members do not have to be affiliated with Georgetown but must commit to participate in all sessions (in person or virtually). 
  • The program will be conducted in-person at the Georgetown Venture Lab @ 200 Mass Ave, NW, DC.
  • A Virtual Showcase is scheduled for July 16 – participants present progress reports toward meeting goals each venture sets at the start of the program.  
  • Each venture will be assigned two mentors – participants must meet with assigned mentors weekly for at least one hour (in person or virtual) for the duration of the program.