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Incubation

A yearlong incubator program that equips
entrepreneurs with the tools to launch,
build, and grow a sustainable business.

LEARN MORE

INCUBATION BENEFITS

MORE THAN $20,000 IN BUSINESS SERVICES

Business Coaching

1-on-1 coaching from our
Entrepreneur-in-Residence and network introductions.

Coworking Space

Full membership to Ascender’s 24/7 workspace in our diverse, collaborative coworking space.

Tailored Programming

Unlimited access to all Ascender programs as well as Incubator-specific educational programming.

Expert Mentors

Access to Ascender's robust community of mentors to guide you in your entrepreneurial journey.

Financial Support

Up to $5,000 in equity-free
funding to support your
growth model.

Technical Support

Help from professionals with branding, accounting, websites, and more.

Marketing Exposure

Exposure across Ascender's digital platforms to elevate your brand.

Alumni Network

Connections to dozens of Incubator alumni who have been there and done that.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

APPLY BY APRIL 1, 2024 @ 11:59 PM (ET)

March 8, 2021 @ 11:59 PM EST

OUR PIPELINE INTO INCUBATION

APPLY

Read through this page
and submit your best
application.

PRE-INCUBATION BOOTCAMP

If your application stands out, then
we'll invite you to participate in
Pre-Incubation Bootcamp.

INCUBATION

If we're impressed by your pitch
& think we can help, you'll be
asked to join our Incubator.

BOOTCAMP: OUR PIPELINE INTO INCUBATION

Click the button to watch an info-session about the 2023 program & application.

BOOTCAMP: OUR PIPELINE INTO INCUBATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Ascender works with startups and small businesses across a broad range of industries, including software, hardware, retail, healthcare, education, and social ventures.

We also don’t limit the definition of entrepreneurship to startups seeking venture capital. While we certainly work with these businesses, we also support and foster the growth of entrepreneurial enterprises that may never need to raise funding, including small family-owned business models, local impact models, local retail businesses, and others.

No, you don’t. For now, it’s okay if you are a solo entrepreneur. However, we like to see teams as opposed to individuals. Our experience shows that a team is less likely to get “stuck” and more likely to discover creative solutions to problems than a one-person company.

We strongly prefer teams with the technical aptitude to build the core business assets. For example, if your company is web-based, someone on your team must have the technical knowledge to build the necessary front and back-end platforms.

Our team doesn’t claim to have expertise in every industry. However, at an early stage, startups of all shapes and sizes will face similar challenges, and our team is very experienced in navigating those challenges. 

Once we’ve worked with you to develop a working business model and a plan of attack, we leverage strategic partnerships with industry leaders in the region to accelerate your growth.

Rather than inundate each entrepreneur with “too many voices” at the beginning of the process, our team will work with our network of mentors, advisors, and industry experts to better guide your progress. Once your company clears certain determined benchmarks, we’ll connect you directly to the appropriate mentors and advisors.

There are a few types of businesses that we do not typically accept into our Incubator program because the curriculum doesn’t meet their unique needs. These businesses include restaurants, aerospace companies, traditional artists (check out the Next Leap Program), construction companies (check out the Riverside Center for Innovation), real estate agencies, individual consultants or coaches, and non-commercializable medical or healthcare products.

Book time with our team if you have questions about your eligibility.

Still Have Questions?

Reach out to the Ascender Team and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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