Alumni Programs

Do you have paid employment/mentorship opportunities?

We do not, at this time. Our mentors and speakers engage to pay it forward to the next generation.

Do you charge money or take equity for engaging in your accelerators?

We do not, either for students or alumni. This is made possible with the generous philanthropy of other innovative alumni; we’re grateful for their partnership in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.

I’m new to this and only have an idea. Am I qualified to apply to grants or the accelerator?
Above all else, we invest our time into dedicated founders who are committed to furthering their venture. That said, we encourage submissions from folks that have started to make significant progress towards this goal–early traction can include deep research, a simple MVP, a significant customer lead, etc.

Do I need a fully-fleshed out team to participate in the program?
No, we accept solo entrepreneurs.

My idea is advanced and/or I’ve already raised significant money. Can you still help me?
Yes! We’re here to build community and connect you to our campus and alumni network. That said, we will always privilege applications where we feel like our time and grants will make the most impact.

I already graduated, can I still apply?
Yes. Our alumni grants in the I&E Challenge currently privilege recent alum, but our accelerator is open to all.

I have two ventures that I am working on. Can I apply with both?
We recommend that you apply with the venture that you plan to devote more time and energy to. Additionally, you can only receive the grant for one venture at a time. You are welcome to use and apply the knowledge gained from engaging to additional ventures.

If I am not accepted to participate this cycle, can I re-apply in the future?
Yes, in fact, this is encouraged! We want to support all teams, and we work with many teams each year to help them prepare for future selection cycles.

I am an alum of Johns Hopkins, but my co-founder is not. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, if one co-founder, with a significant equity stake, is a current student, your venture is eligible to participate in Pava Center programming.

Who is eligible to apply? 

Any alumni from Johns Hopkins is eligible to apply. 

Do I need to be a recent graduate? 

No. This accelerator is open to the entire Johns Hopkins alum community. 

What stage should my startup be at in order to apply? 

We are looking for founders whose ideas are past the ideation stage. Ideally, they will be in the early revenue-generation phase, close to finishing an MVP, or have a clear thesis of who your customer is and what they would pay.  

 When will the accelerator take place? 

The accelerator will run for approximately 18 weeks, starting the week of February 23rd and concluding the week of June 22nd, with an in-person demo day.  

Do I need a team to participate in the program? 

No, we accept solo entrepreneurs. The Pava Center also provides in-person opportunities for participants to connect with potential collaborators.

I am a Johns Hopkins alumni, but my co-founder is not. Am I still eligible to apply? 

Yes, if one co-founder, with a significant equity stake, is an alum your venture is eligible to participate in Pava Center programming. 

My idea is advanced and/or I’ve already raised significant money. Can you still help me? 

Yes! We invest in great founders and can customize support for the startup’s stage. 

What is the time commitment? 

Founders should budget 10+ hours a week for the 18-week accelerator. This will consist of ~3 hours of meetings and ~7 hours of additional work. Founders should expect to spend 3 hours meeting with their advisors, mentors, cohort, and small groups 

How will the accelerator be structured? 

Founders will be matched with a dedicated advisor they will meet with regularly. Once a week, the whole cohort will meet for workshops, training, and hearing from speakers. They will also meet weekly with smaller support groups consisting of other startups in the accelerator 

How much funding will they receive? 

Founders that successfully complete the accelerator will receive a $5,000 non-dilutive grant, with the potential to win additional funding won at the Demo Day.  

Is this in-person or remote? 

This will largely run virtually, with the exception of the Demo Day in June and a mid-program session at the Pava Center in Baltimore, MD.  

What does the application process entail? 

First complete the application. Then applicants will be invited to interview with the Pava Center team, if the application is a good fit for the accelerator. Teams who interview will receive next steps after their interviews.