The E-Team Program is an integrated program of grant funding, training, coaching, and investment. Our mission: to give student teams the best possible chance to move technologies out of the lab or classroom and into the marketplace. E-Teams selected to participate will have the opportunity to secure up to $25,000 in grant funding, attend required workshops (Stage 1 and Stage 2), and receive coaching from VentureWell. Grant funds are awarded to the applying team’s institution.
Teams that submit successful Stage 1 applications will be awarded a $5,000 grant and will be required to participate in a three-day workshop. The $5,000 award is intended to cover travel expenses related to attending the workshop and remaining funds may be used for minor expenses associated with furthering the innovation. Stage 1 funds are grant money, not equity or debt; note that it will be administered through the team’s institution.
Upcoming deadlines: Jan. 28, 2025; Oct. 2, 2024
VentureWell defines an E-Team as a multidisciplinary group of students, working with a faculty mentor, to bring a technology-based invention (product or service) to market. The “E” stands for entrepreneurship.
E-Teams may form as a result of a course, extracurricular program, or the independent initiative of students. There must be a minimum of two active undergraduate or graduate students on an E-Team; these students should have a role in decision making and leading venture development.
You are eligible for the E-team Program if:
● Your university is a VentureWell member by the time you submit your application. [Duke is currently a member.]
● There must be at least two active students on the team (undergraduate, graduate, and/or doctoral) for the duration of the Stage 1 grant period. Some fellowship programs may also fulfill this criteria.
● You can verify university support
● You intend to commercialize your innovation where possible
- Stage 1: $5,000 grant funding + workshop
- Stage 2: $20,000 grant funding + workshop + coaching