’Cuse Student Venture Accelerator Connects Fastest-Growing Alumni Founders With Student Startups
For the second year in a row, the Whitman School of Management will bring student founders together for six weeks of hands-on learning and mentorship building through the 2026 ’CUSE Student Venture Accelerator.
Kicking off January 30 and running through March 6, the accelerator supports Syracuse University’s top student startups and connects them with accomplished alumni entrepreneurs and faculty who have built and scaled companies of their own. The program is led by the Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator and serves as a key pipeline for students preparing for funding opportunities and growth such as the $40,000 Panasci Business Plan Competition on April 10, 2026.
The ’CUSE Student Venture Accelerator is designed for students who are actively building ventures and looking for practical guidance—from where to start after an idea to how to build products, earn customer trust and scale. Each session blends founder storytelling, candid discussion and open Q&A, giving students direct access to those who have navigated the entrepreneurial journey.
The accelerator opens with a session on January 30 led by Indaria Jones, program manager of the Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator, focusing on where founders should begin after identifying an idea.
Throughout the six-week program, students will learn directly from ’CUSE50 honorees and faculty entrepreneurs, including Luis Cadavid ’12 (A&S), founder of Flower’s House Group and AI architect; Mirza Tihic, Ph.D., entrepreneur and Syracuse University professor; Peter Forsgren G’97 (MAX), founder of Three Plus One; and Frank Shultz ’03 (NEW/MAX), founder of Wallis Run and United Effects Venture. Sessions will cover topics such as product development, using AI systems, building with limited resources, earning customer trust and scaling from early traction to growth.
“At Whitman, we believe the best way to learn entrepreneurship is to get in the arena and do it. The ’CUSE Student Venture Accelerator gives founders a structured sprint with real mentorship and real accountability,” said John Torrens, Ph.D., G’93 (EDU), interim chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises at Whitman.
Added ’CUSE50 Honoree Gabriel Sepulveda-Sanchez L’11, founder of Sepulveda-Sanchez Law, “The next level for me is mentorship. There’s a moment when you realize it’s time to give back, to develop and open doors for the next generation. That means sharing the experience we’ve gained and creating real opportunities.”
The program concludes March 6 with a closing session and celebration featuring a Whitman alum, recognizing the progress student founders have made over the course of the accelerator.
Open to selected participants and the broader student community, the accelerator reflects Whitman’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning and to empowering students to turn ideas into startups that people believe in.
Register here to attend the sessions or visit the Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator in Suite 116 at Whitman School of Management to learn more.