startup summer
Early bird applications are open now! Apply by November 27.
get paid to intern at your own college startup!
HOW IT WORKS
Startup Summer is a chance for Indiana collegiate founders to work full time getting their startup up and off the ground—and to get paid for it! Students from any university or college in Indiana are eligible. You do have to be in Bloomington during the summer to participate (we’ll share some housing recommendations if you’re applying from out of town).
How good is Startup Summer? Well, we hate to brag–OK, we love to brag! Two of our 10 graduates have been accepted by the gBETA accelerator. If you’re serious about your startup, this program will move you forward.
Here’s how it works. We’ll give you a full-time membership to The Mill, and you’ll come in 30 hours a week (we’re flexible on when, but you do need to be here in person). The program runs May 13-July 22, but your membership will start May 1 and run through August 30 to be sure you can make the most of it. We’ll kick it off with the IU Founders & Funders Summit and end with a public celebration and showcase of the startups.
You’ll get ten weeks of individualized support for your startup. Mentoring from experts and entrepreneurs. Weekly lunch & learns with your peers. Leadership opportunities to be a mentor yourself. The chance to pitch local angel investors and get feedback. Social events with other founders. Immersion into fun summer life in Bloomington, Indiana’s best college town (if we do say so ourselves!).
We’ll give each student participant a stipend of $2,500. Got a co-founder who’s also a student? You can both sign up. In fact, we encourage teams to apply. Each company accepted into the program will also receive an investment from Flywheel Fund to cover program fees *and* leave you with $5,000 more in the bank.
Startup Summer is going to be the most fun, meaningful summer you’ve had in a long time. Seize the chance to devote your work to what excites you most: your startup!
Early decision deadline to apply is November 27, 2023 for Startup Summer 2024!
10 weeks, May 13-July 22, 2024
You’ll spend about 30 hours a week participating in program activities and growing your company.
$2,500 stipend per student
Stipends require full program completion. The program takes place in Bloomington, Indiana. Additional funds may be available for housing for students coming from out of town.
$5,000 per company
Flywheel Fund will invest $10,000 into each accepted company. Fine print: $5,000 of that goes to cover program costs, so your startup will net $5,000 in addition to your individual student stipend. Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the process.
1:1 Support for your startup
We’ll help you set individualized goals to take your collegiate startup to the next level.
November 27, 2023: Early Bird Deadline
We’ll have two rounds of applications. Early decision applicants will be notified before winter holidays. Applications will re-open in January. Space is limited, so early application is advised.
Questions? Schedule a 15-minute Zoom with Andy Lehman, Head of Accelerator Programming!
FINE PRINT
To participate in Startup Summer, you must be a currently enrolled student at a college or university in Indiana, and you’ll need to be in Bloomington over the summer of 2024. This isn’t a remote program. Your startup should have an MVP or be ready to launch. You might even have an up & running business already.
Got a cofounder? Apply together! Need to work another job too? That’s OK—we know you’ve got hustle. Outside of the weekly group meetings with experts, you can schedule your 30 hours a week to suit your needs. Come in early, come in late, work weekends, it’s all good as long as you get in your time.
current Indiana college students
Co-founders can apply together (only one of you needs to fill out the form). We love working with great teams!
in bloomington for summer 2024
You’ll need to be at The Mill 30 hours a week, but we’re flexible on when. We’ve got housing recommendations if you need them.
MVP or LAUnCH ready
If you’re still at the idea phase, it’s too soon to apply. Ready to launch or up & running? Perfect!