Summer Venture Fund
Get funding to pursue your passion and make progress on your venture this summer!
Welcome to the Summer Venture Fund program at the W&M Entrepreneurship Hub, where we empower student founders to bring their entrepreneurial visions to life. Our 10-week program is designed to provide a supportive environment, equity-free funding, and tailored resources to help student ventures thrive.
Who is Summer Venture Fund For?
Summer Venture Fund is open to all William & Mary students, regardless of major or degree program. Whether you're a solo founder or part of a team, if you're committed to advancing your venture and have made tangible progress, this program is for you. We welcome ventures from any industry or technology focus.
This means you have:
- Engaged in Initial Customer Discovery: You've actively conducted customer discovery and identified a beachhead market for your venture.
- Proven Track Record of Development: You have a demonstrated history of actively developing your venture, refining your ideas, and taking concrete steps towards growth.
- Committed to Advancement: You're not simply joining for financial gain, but rather, you're motivated to take your venture to the next level and are prepared to invest the time and effort required for meaningful progress.
What is Summer Venture Fund Like?
Summer Venture Fund offers founders the dedicated time, space, and resources needed to advance their ventures within a collaborative and supportive environment. Our program spans 10 weeks and encompasses a comprehensive journey from refining your target market to perfecting your pitch to investors.
Participants have access and benefit from:
- Equity-free Funding: Unlock up to $5,000 in funding to fuel your venture's growth.
- Flexible Workspace: Work remotely or utilize our dedicated coworking space at the Hub.
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Expert-Led Activities: Engage in a diverse array of learning and networking opportunities facilitated by industry-leading experts, including:
- Accountability sessions
- Founder 1:1s
- Daily office hours
- Mentorship sessions
- Exposure and Recognition: Showcase your venture outcomes to Hub staff, W&M faculty, mentors, and peers at the Semester Open House.
Apply to Summer Venture Fund
Before applying, ensure that your team and venture meet the following requirements:
- Team members must be a current William & Mary students
- Teams can have up to four cofounders.
- Applications are due by May 15th. Teams will be accepted on a rolling basis and funding is subject to availability, so early application is recommended.
