The Pava Center accelerators are a high-energy, collaborative space for innovators to push their ventures forward. These cross-disciplinary programs help you build real skills, expand your network, and connect with fellow founders—from undergrads to postdocs to community members—all focused on turning ideas into impact. Applications open in August.
Kindling: In-person pre-accelerator to dip into the innovation landscape and test the waters. Kindling equips student entrepreneurs with the guidance and structure necessary to transform ideas into viable ventures. By fostering a holistic and accurate perspective on essential people, problems, and profit pathways, the program ensures that when development begins, it is grounded in validated insights and strategic clarity.
Spark: Early-stage track for student teams or solo founders to explore, test, and validate ideas. In-person. Awards up to $2,000. Spark is a hands-on accelerator for solo founders or teams to refine ideas, validate ventures, and master fundamentals through flexible online learning, market research, and customer discovery-all aligned with structured cohort milestones.
Fuel: Later-stage track designed to move you from concept to customer-ready. In-person and hybrid. Awards up to $15,000. Fuel is designed for committed ventures to become market and investor-ready. This accelerator emphasizes customer acquisition, marketing development, entrepreneurial finance, investor readiness, team building, and more through highly customized attention, including workshops, mentorship, and targeted support.
Social Innovation Lab: Open to for-profit and non-profit early-stage student ventures with a mission-driven impact. Awards of up to $15,000. Primarily in-person. Accelerates early-stage, mission-driven ventures (for-profit or non-profit) from Johns Hopkins and the Baltimore community, advancing innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that build a healthier, more equitable world and transform visionary leaders into impactful, thriving organizations.