UpStarts Incubator Program
Once selected as an UpStarts venture, student entrepreneurs will work with the UpStarts staff to set value-generating milestones and work towards hitting those milestones during their tenure. Successful UpStarts ventures may then qualify to join UCF’s Business Incubator as they continue to grow and thrive.
Overview
The Student Starter Award, generously funded by Emeritus faculty member Richard A. Quinn, provides $500 annually to help students address early-stage startup expenses. This award supports student-led ventures in the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership’s UpStarts Student Venture Accelerator Program. Recipients are selected by the UpStarts Director and the Department of Management Chair based on specific qualifications.
Awards are presented annually during a Fall semester UpStarts Cohort meeting, celebrating Richard Quinn’s legacy of teaching entrepreneurship, mentoring startups, and advancing technological innovation at UCF.
Interested participants must submit a written description and presentation of their business model and progress to the UpStarts Director within the first eight weeks of the Fall semester, confirming they meet all eligibility requirements.
Requirements
UCF Enrollment
At least one team member must be a current UCF student.
Evidence of Product-Market Fit
Inspired by Marc Andreessen’s definition, “Product-market fit means being in a good market with a product that can satisfy that market.” Ventures should present a minimum viable product that addresses a clear problem or need, demonstrating some level of product-market alignment. All industries are welcome.
Commitment to Focus
Ventures must exhibit the team’s ability to balance academic responsibilities alongside building their business.
Academic Standing
All team members must maintain good academic standing with the University of Central Florida.
Entity Characteristics
- The business must be registered.
- The team should have a well-defined product or service with strong revenue potential in the current academic year, generating less than $20K in prior revenue.
- The award funds must address a specific business need, such as prototype development or creating marketing materials.
- Recipients must participate in the UpStarts Accelerator program in the semester following the award to benefit from its guidance.
- Preference is given to teams of two or more students, particularly those with interdisciplinary expertise (e.g., combining engineering and business).
Resources
Programming
UpStarts Competency Training
Each week, the UpStarts cohort meets to learn about important business concepts and the foundations from which a successful venture can be built. We seek to build an active-learning environment. Sessions are led by UpStarts staff and Orlando business leaders.
UpStarts Community of Practice
The UpStart venture cohort will meet and learn from each other by discussing successes, failures, challenges, and “things that keep them up at night.”
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted throughout the school year. Applicants must submit complete application materials to be considered.
Please download the UpStarts Incubator application, fill it out, and email the complete application to Michael Pape at mpape@ucf.edu .
Student Starter Award
The purpose of the Student Starter Award is to provide students who are committed to launching a startup venture with resources to help them address early-state startup expenses. This $500 annual award has been generously provided by Emeritus faculty member Richard A. Quinn to support student-lead startups participating in the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership’s UpStarts Student Venture Accelerator Program.
The recipient of the award will be determined by the Director of the UpStarts program in collaboration with the Chair of the Department of Management.
Resources
UpStarts will provide office space, office equipment, advanced coaching resources, and collaboration space.
Inquiries
Have additional questions? Contact the UpStarts Director, Michael Pape, at mpape@ucf.edu .
Apply today.
Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Applicants must submit complete application materials to be considered. Email your completed application to Michael Pape at mpape@ucf.edu .