Venture Advancement Program returning to MIT Innovation Headquarters
MIT Bootcamps
Nurturing human potential for the betterment of society. Offering immersive and transformational learning experiences.
MIT Bootcamps is excited to announce the next edition of the Venture Advancement Program, our flagship program focused on supporting entrepreneurs launch and grow their own ventures. The program will take place at MIT Innovation Headquarters (iHQ) on MIT’s campus in Cambridge, MA from May 13 - 17, 2024.
Over the course of 5 days, more than 60 entrepreneurs will come together to MIT’s campus from over 20 countries to work on taking the next step in their venture — whether that's validating their product-market fit or working on early-stage fundraising.
By immersing participants in the MIT innovation ecosystem, we help them build rich connections with like-minded peers and MIT-trained entrepreneurs, refine their strategic business directions, and hone their tactical entrepreneurial skills. Participants will walk away from the program with clarity on what to do next and an improved toolkit to tackle their entrepreneurial challenges.
Who is it for?
We designed this program for individuals who have real-world foundational entrepreneurial experience but are struggling with specific challenges related to growing their venture.
Designed as a program that could be taken after an individual completed one of our foundational Bootcamps, the Venture Advancement Program will bring personalized support from MIT faculty, mentors, coaches, and peers in a hands-on and immersive environment.
Some of our most successful Bootcampers are early stage founders, like Svelta from Bulgaria, who was looking to validate her product market fit.
"The Venture Advancement Program gave me everything I needed to get my venture off the ground - a proof of concept partner, confidence, and the right traction." – Svelta Parmakova, Founder @ savva
Other successful Bootcampers are seasoned entrepreneurs, like Victor from Mexico, who wanted to magnify the trajectory of his business with innovations that open new market opportunities
“I wish I had taken the program when I started my path as an entrepreneur. It led me to new and bold directions both for myself and my company. It was a life-changing experience.” – Victor Arrieta, Director @ Guadiana
What does the program look like?
The program aims to give you a uniquely MIT experience – “drinking from the firehose” of innovation and embodying MIT’s motto, mens et manus.
By combining workshops with MIT faculty, 1:1 mentoring sessions with local Boston & MIT entrepreneurs, and coaching sessions from MIT-trained entrepreneurs, it will be an intense and transformational educational experience.
Workshops with MIT faculty and guest speakers, on topics like leadership, entrepreneurial finances, and investor relationships, will empower you with the practical tools to confidently hone your strategy and business plan. During mentoring and coaching sessions, you will work on your pitch to investors, receive feedback on your go-to-market strategy, and have the opportunity to ask seasoned entrepreneurs what they might do in your shoes.
In just 5 days, you’ll build a transformative network of mentors and peers, harness your skills to get ready to fundraise your next round, and bridge your entrepreneurial gaps — all while at MIT’s iHQ, the heart of innovation in Kendall Square.
Why join the Venture Advancement Program?
Entrepreneurship is a notoriously lonely career path that often lacks clarity on how to get a venture from point A to point B. The best next step for one venture may be completely different from a peer, even in the same industry and at a similar stage. Our goal is to help answer your specific questions by giving you the tools from a robust MIT support system and take advantage of being at MIT. After the program, you will have a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs and a community of over 2000+ Bootcampers in your corner, supporting you along your entrepreneurial journey.
Applications to the Venture Advancement Program are now open. You can apply today.
Highlights from Venture Advancement Program 2023
What participants have said
Hear what participants from the ‘23 Venture Advancement Program Cohort had to say about the program
"It was fantastic, a very special experience that was well organized and with very applicable, useful and experienced guests. This was invaluable to everyone here as they are entering or looking for more in these fields, they have been able to get a window to this information and experience they may have never accessed, or struggled to access otherwise."
"We have been bathed into so much incredible and practical information. Thank you for rejuvenating me!"
"It was much more than I expected, in terms of the faculty friendliness, diversity of classmates and the overall vibe of the event."
"It pushed me to make important decisions about where I wanted to go with my life. It taught me crucial lessons that can prevent me from preventable reasons for failure throughout my entrepreneurial journey."