University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students have just a few more days to apply for this year’s Titan Accelerator Program, which begins next month and is designed to support students interested in developing a business idea (or existing early-stage business concept).

What’s new: Applications for the 2023 program must be received before Jan. 30. The opportunity is open to all UW Oshkosh students—all majors, all campuses, and undergraduate and graduate students alike. Student teams also are eligible.

Some background: The Titan Accelerator Program is a no-cost, one-of-a-kind program for students interested in taking an idea to the next level. During a 10-week startup,curriculum-based program, students develop ideas, validate business models and gain skills to further entrepreneurial knowledge.

• Up to seven students, or teams of students, will be accepted to participate and will be eligible to receive perks, including $5,000 in funding, office space, in-kind resources, mentorship and access to a local network of entrepreneurs and investors.

Zoom out: The program is part of the UWO Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), which has a mission to inspire, educate and develop entrepreneurial leaders through world-class education, cutting-edge research and applied preparation, mentorship and public recognition.

• Some examples of of recent participants include Kevin Dwyer ’22 MBA, who founded Assistive Home Tech. The company provides smart home assistive device consultations, equipment installations and services to extend its customers’ independence and improve their quality of life as they age. Dwyer went through CEI programming in 2022.
• Another is Rebecca Dailey, who earned a bachelor’s in nursing in 2021 and launched the downtown Oshkosh beauty services company Divine Beauty, which provides eyelash extensions, freelance makeup for weddings and other events and more. Dailey recently sold the business to a longtime employee—and runs another new business called Restorative RN, providing medical tattoo services. Dailey was part of the 2020 cohort.

Timeline: Titan Accelerator Program finalists will be announced Feb. 2, and the program begins the week of Feb. 13. The startup showcase event is held in early May.

Take action: Apply or learn more about the Titan Accelerator Program.