Mark Kendall
University Startup Programs play an important role in the startup ecosystem. We have curated a list of the top United States University Startup Programs. We have tried to select a variety of different types of investors across a variety of niches.
This list is designed to show off the investors with exceptional track records, industry experience and a unique understanding of the ecosystem.
Top United States University Startup Programs
Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.
Plug and Play Tech Center
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, Co-Working Space, Corporate Venture Capital, University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Seed
Plug and Play is an innovation platform bringing together startups and large corporations.
OUP (Osage University Partners)
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed
OUP is a venture capital fund investing in start-ups that commercialize university research.
Dorm Room Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Micro VC, University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
Dorm Room Fund is the strongest community of entrepreneurial students in the nation
ATDC
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Incubator, University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
ATDC helps entrepreneurs launch and build transformative technology companies.
ASU Venture Devils
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
Arizona State University’s venture capital arm.
MIT delta v
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Grant
delta v is MIT’s premier venture accelerator, that prepares entrepreneurs to hit escape velocity and launch into the real world.
IDEA Northeastern University’s Venture Accelerator
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Grant, Seed
IDEA Northeastern University’s Venture Accelerator help Northeastern students start business.
CITRIS Foundry
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage: Grant, Seed
CITRIS Foundry is UC Berkeley’s deep tech accelerator.
Stanford University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Stanford University is a teaching and research university that focuses on graduate programs in law, medicine, education, and business.
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Seed
Investment Arm Behind UC Berkeley’s SkyDeck Accelerator
MIT Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS)
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
MIT Venture Mentoring Service matches prospective and experienced entrepreneurs with skilled volunteer mentors.
Texas A&M New Ventures Competition
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
Texas A&M New Ventures Competition recognizes companies with high-growth potential and provides grant funding.
Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Grant, Late Stage Venture, Seed
Washington University’s hub for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture
WARF is the private, nonprofit patent and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Holekamp Seed Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Grant
Startup grant fund for Washington University in St. Louis student startups
Yale Africa Startup Review
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
YASR is a student and alumni-led publication featuring founders and startups shaping the future of Africa with entrepreneurship.
UPMC
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
UPMC is one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States. A $10 billion integrated global health enterprise headquartered
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Non Equity Assistance, Seed
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation drives venture creation and technology commercialization at the University of Chicago
CREATE-X
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, Entrepreneurship Program, Incubator, University Program
Investment Stage: Grant
CREATE-X is a Georgia Tech initiative and accelerator for students to launch successful startups.
Carnegie Mellon University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Carnegie Mellon University is a global research university bringing ideas to market and creating successful startup businesses.
The University of Chicago Innovation Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage:
UChicagoTech launched the Innovation Fund in 2010 to accelerate the commercialization of promising.
Duke University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Duke University is a private research university providing undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine and other disciplines.
Boston University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
With 250 fields of study, our two campuses are always humming, always in high gear.
CatalyzeCU
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Grant
Catalyze CU is a summer-long startup accelerator designed for CU students, faculty, and staff.
Georgia Research Alliance
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Grant
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) expands research and commercialization capacity in Georgia’s universities to launch new companies,
YEI Innovation Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Incubator, University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
The YEI Innovation Fund offers $3 million in funding to eligible Yale startups. The Fund was created in September 2013 by Yale University
UCLA Ventures
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Non Equity Assistance
A community of Bruin Entrepreneurs support UCLA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Boston University Technology Development Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage:
Boston University Technology Development Fund is a Venture Capital Firm.
University of Michigan
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Michigan is a public research university that caters business, engineering, law, and medical courses.
Northwestern University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Northwestern is one of the country’s leading private research and teaching universities, located in Evanston, IL.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Grant
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic nonprofit institution established by Alfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr., former President and
Simon School Venture Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
Alumni-backed venture capital fund managed by 2nd-yr MBA students under Board oversight at Simon Business School, University of Rochester.
Mississippi State University Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Grant, Seed
MSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach helps students, faculty, and community members start and grow successful companies.
Harvard University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
University of Pennsylvania
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Pennsylvania is an American private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Yale University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Yale University is an American private Ivy League research university in New Haven in Connecticut.
Harvard Business School
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Harvard Business School educates leaders who make a difference in the world.
Cornell University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Cornell University is an American private Ivy League and federal land-grant research university located in Ithaca, New York.
Vanderbilt University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Vanderbilt University is a private research university offering various learning programs.
UConn Innovation Fund – University of Connecticut
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Connecticut, in partnership with Connecticut Innovations
CMU OFEF
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
CMU OFEF offers early-stage business financing to recent graduates of Carnegie Mellon University.
New U Venture Partners
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
New U Venture Partners is a Salt Lake City-based venture firm.
Princeton University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Princeton University is a private Ivy League university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States
University at Buffalo
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
UB is a premier, research-intensive public university and a member of the Association of American Universities
Princeton Alumni Entrepreneurs Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
Matching Investments in Early-Stage Startups Founded by Recent Princeton Alumni
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is a business school driven to create economic and social value.
Singularity University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Singularity University is a benefit corporation that provides educational programs, innovative partnerships, and a startup accelerator.
University of Washington
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Washington is an educational institution that provides undergraduate, graduate, and research programs.
University of Maryland
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Maryland is a public research university and is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business provides full-time MBA courses.
University of California, Santa Barbara
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
UC Santa Barbara is a leading center for teaching and research, distinguished by its interdisciplinary programs.
University of Colorado
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Colorado offers higher education and serving as the catalysts in business, arts, health, and community growth.
RCT BioVentures
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture
The RCT BioVentures program is the vehicle through which Research Corporation Technologies invests in start-up or early-stage companies
Wharton Angel Network
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Founded in 2007, the Wharton Angel Network (WAN) seeks to provide a transparent forum for Wharton alumni entrepreneurs and Wharton alumni
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the nation’s first public university.
Rice University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Rice University is a private research university focused on providing undergraduate education services.
University Hospitals
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
In 1993, University Hospitals developed a new vision, a new strategy and a new model for healthcare delivery.
Washington State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Washington State University is a school in Pullman, Washington.
The University of Texas at Austin
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university providing public access to education and tools of discovery.
University of Delaware
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Delaware is a private-public research university located in Newark, Delaware. UD is the largest university in Delaware
Science Center
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University City Science Center accelerates technology commercialization, regional economic development, and the market availability of
Harvard Innovation Labs
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
An educational collaborative for all current Harvard students from any school to explore innovation and entrepreneurship at any stage.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a school in Philadelphia.
Socratic Ventures
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Socratic Ventures drives impact by investing in platforms that lower the cost of access to education.
Purdue Foundry
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The Foundry is focused on Purdue’s entrepreneurial resources that are aimed at launching new ventures.
Aeneas Ventures
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Seed
Aeneas Venture Corp is the venture capital arm of Harvard Management Company.
Purdue Foundry Investment Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Purdue Foundry Investment Fund provides matching funds for investments in Purdue startups.
California State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
California State University is a public university system in California
Oregon Health & Science University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
OHSU is a health and research university in Oregon, brings together patient care, research, education of the next generation of health care.
University of Cincinnati
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Cincinnati offers students a balance of educational excellence and real-world experience.
Oregon State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university in the northwest United States, located in Corvallis, Oregon
Georgia State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Georgia State University is a public research university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight academic colleges.
Marquette University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Marquette University (MU) is a large Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kent State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Kent State is a one of the best public research Ohio universities.
Rowan University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Rowan University combines liberal education with professional preparation from the baccalaureate through the doctorate.
Avathon Capital
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Avathon Capital is an investment platform
University of Central Florida
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Central Florida is an American public research university in Orlando, Forida.
The University of Texas System
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
The University of Texas System is to improving the people all over the world through education, research and health care.
Butler University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
University of Chicago New Venture Challenge
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage:
Launched in 1996, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) is one of the nation’s premier business launch programs.
Columbia Technology Ventures
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture
Columbia Technology Ventures engages in the facilitation of technology transfer services for the Columbia University.
UM Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
UM Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship engages in creating new businesses and economic value.
Colgate Entrepreneurs Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage:
The fund was established in 2013 to grow and advance the ventures of Colgate student and alumni entrepreneurs who are solving problems.
Lorain County Community College Innovation Fund
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Seed
The Innovation Fund, founded by the Lorain County Community College Foundation (2007), is a regional fund focused on supporting
University of Utah Endowment
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program, Venture Capital
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
University of Utah Endowment is a venture capital fund that offers a range of investment services.
University of Arizona
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Arizona is a public research university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree courses.
The Johns Hopkins University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: Accelerator, University Program
Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Seed
Johns Hopkins University is a research university that enrolls full and part-time students throughout nine academic divisions.
New York University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
New York University is a private research university that provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, and others.
Santa Clara University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Jesuit University in Silicon Valley
University of Maine
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
UMaine is a public university with various graduate and undergraduate degree programs and research opportunities.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Nebraska – Medical Center is a school in Omaha.
Loyola University Maryland
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Loyola University Maryland is a private institution located in Baltimore, Maryland.
University of Illinois
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign-College of Business (UIUC)
Indiana University Foundation
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Indiana University Foundation is a fundraising organization that supports Indiana University.
Tufts University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Tufts is a private university that excels at research and is committed to providing students with a personal experience.
Colgate University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Colgate University is a liberal arts institution distinguished by academic excellence and interdisciplinary inquiry.
San Jose State University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
San José State is conveniently located on 154 acres in downtown San José, midway between San Francisco and the Monterey/Carmel area at the
American Public University System
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
American Public University System is a school in Charles Town.
St. Luke’s University Health Network
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
St. Luke’s University Health Network is a nonprofit, regional health network that provides care primarily in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Willamette University
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage:
Willamette is a private liberal arts university in Salem, Oregon.
University of Missouri Enterprise Investment Program
Crunchbase | Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter
Investor Type: University Program
Investment Stage: Seed
EIP is designed to support Missouri based early-stage high tech start-up companies.
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