New Jersey's top accelerators and incubators handpicked for you

HAX is the world's first and most active accelerator program dedicated to supporting pre-seed startups that address significant challenges through hard tech. Operating in global locations such as Newark, Shenzhen, San Francisco, Pune, and Tokyo, the organization provides a 26-week collaborative residency designed for startups focused on sustainability across various domains, including climate, industrial automation, and human health. Each selected startup receives an initial investment package of $250,000, facilitating their growth and development. They define hard tech as engineering or scientific breakthroughs in the physical world, encompassing robotics, sensors, connectivity solutions, and critical materials. The program has successfully supported 257 startups, which have collectively raised $1.76 billion, with a cumulative value exceeding $8.1 billion. Notable figures behind the initiative include founders such as Cyril Ebersweiler, Sean O'Sullivan, and Sofia Bensily. Operating as part of SOSV's investment framework, it contributes a substantial $105 million in investment to its portfolio companies. Through extensive resources and a global community, HAX fosters innovation and collaboration among thousands of engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs in the hard tech space.

HAX's Website

The prominent health IT accelerator program, based in Princeton, New Jersey, is strategically positioned within the Garden State's pharmaceutical corridor. Focused on fostering health IT innovation, it connects entrepreneurs with key industry executives and investors, providing valuable insights from leading pharmaceutical giants such as Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis. The three-month accelerator program commences in February and offers participants $20,000 in seed funding to advance their health IT ventures. Emphasizing mentorship from experts in the field, the organization addresses various specialization domains, including Mobile Health (mHealth), Software as a Service (SaaS), disease management, integrated care management, and big data analytics. The program culminates in a demo day, where participants present their innovations to a distinguished audience of investors and industry leaders. Additionally, the accelerator provides access to a co-working facility, professional seminars, and workshops, all within a collaborative environment designed to tackle real-world challenges. By disrupting the traditional development process, it aims to accelerate the growth of health IT startups leveraging the region's rich pharmaceutical expertise.

Tigerlabs Health's Website

Established in 2013 in Princeton, New Jersey, this seed fund and entrepreneurship center focuses on collaboration, mentorship, and investment, specifically targeting digital health ventures. It provides co-working spaces for startups and has invested in 27 companies, fostering innovation within the local pharmaceutical corridor. Operating as a full-service digital health accelerator, the program lasts for six months, during which participating companies receive comprehensive support. A dedicated team oversees the investment process, ensuring that ventures have the guidance needed to thrive. Notable startups that have benefited from the program include Amity, Margoe, Radius8, and TrueVault. The organization also extends its reach into various industries, such as Edtech, Fintech, Healthcare Tech, and SaaS, showcasing its versatility and commitment to cultivating diverse entrepreneurial solutions.

Tigerlabs's Website

Sixers Innovation Lab is a venture capital initiative that supports rapidly growing, early-stage companies in the consumer product space. The institution has an investment focus on B2C and B2B2C companies in domains like sports, esports & gaming, consumer packaged goods, and media & entertainment. They provide initial investment for companies at the early stage, ranging from pre-SEED to Series A funding rounds. Accepted management teams receive operational support from naming to branding to messaging, aiming to build strong consumer brands effectively. The institution has a diverse group of entrepreneurs as portfolio companies, including U.GG, lowkey Esports, Artie, hydrant, Shappi, bettorview, Collectd, Must Love, Masterchats, Powerspike, Nalaverse, twice, live life nice, and Doc & Phoebe's Cat Co. Portfolio companies also benefit from access to industry experts, executives, and financiers, while third-party services such as branding, marketing, and legal support are available. Industries involved with the lab include entertainment and gaming.

Sixers Innovation Lab's Website

The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Rowan University serves as a premier support hub for student entrepreneurs across various disciplines. Established in May 2018, its signature program, AccelerateRU, is a summer startup accelerator aimed at helping students grow and scale their ventures more effectively. Operating during the summer months, it provides resources for entrepreneurs in key industries such as edtech, healthcare tech, and social media. The institution hosts over 100 speaker and networking events annually, facilitating vital connections among entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors. Additionally, multiple seed funding initiatives enable students to secure financial backing from prominent angel and venture capital groups. Emphasizing global engagement, it partners with the International Council for Small Business as a Knowledge Hub (KHub) and offers study abroad programs. Furthermore, the center supports the integration of entrepreneurship into coursework for faculty. This dynamic ecosystem fosters innovation, making it an essential platform for early-stage ventures and student-led initiatives.

Rowan University - Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship's Website

The Summer Accelerator at Princeton University is a rigorous nine-week program designed to empower student entrepreneurs to develop their startup ventures. It serves currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, including graduating seniors, with specialized requirements for international students. Teams consist of three to five members and focus on project development through mentorship from faculty, entrepreneurs, and technology experts. The program includes an entrepreneurship curriculum introduced in a three-day boot camp and culminates in a Demo Day where teams showcase their ventures to investors and industry professionals. Each participant receives a $5,000 stipend, access to a business expense account, campus housing, and a co-working space at the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub. Support is provided for a diverse range of industries, including Edtech, Healthcare Tech, and Social Media. Additionally, there is a structured application timeline for the 2024 cohort, with key dates such as the application deadline on December 15, 2023, and the summer program kickoff in early June 2024. George W. Taylor is a notable founder associated with the initiative, which offers an invaluable opportunity for students to transform their ideas into viable businesses while expanding their professional networks.

Keller Center's eLab's Website

The Keller Center serves as a pivotal accelerator for student entrepreneurial endeavors, providing a robust framework for innovation and startup development. Its signature program, the eLab Summer Accelerator, spans nine weeks from early June to August and caters to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, including graduating seniors. Teams of three to five members engage in workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events tailored to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, culminating in a Demo Day where they present to potential investors and experts. Each team member receives a $5,000 stipend, alongside a business expense account, on-campus housing, and access to co-working space within the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub. Additionally, the organization offers the eLab Incubator, a 10-week program for first-year to graduate students with similar support benefits. Under the leadership of George W. Taylor, it focuses on interdisciplinary innovation, emphasizing the integration of engineering with humanities, public policy, and natural sciences. Industries supported include eCommerce, Edtech, and General Tech, ensuring a diverse range of entrepreneurial pursuits thrive within its nurturing ecosystem.

Princeton University - Keller Center's Website

Established through a gift by Jay S. Sugarman 84, the Sugarman Practitioner in Residence program at Princeton's Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy supports practitioners pursuing breakthrough solutions to society-relevant problems dependent on understanding human behavior. Successful applicants, ranging from entrepreneurs to activists, receive mentorship and a 12-month term at a salary of $9,000 per month plus benefits. The program provides a sanctuary for innovative thinking, fostering collaboration with Princeton's academic community to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Princeton University, a private Ivy League institution, houses the center, which was founded in 2015 with a $10 million donation to honor behavioral science pioneers Daniel Kahneman and Anne Treisman. The interdisciplinary center facilitates academic opportunities, collaborates with practitioners-in-residence like David Derryck, and offers fellowships in applied behavioral science. With core values of innovation and collaboration, the center advocates for research-driven policymaking and societal well-being in the Edtech sector. Notable founder George W. Taylor established the Kahneman-Treisman Center, offering programs such as the Startup Mentoring Program and funding types including Pre-Launch and Pre-Seed, with a standard deal of $108K for a 12-month duration.

Princeton's Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy's Website

New Jersey's first environmental research and outreach center is dedicated to fostering clean energy and environmental innovations. Located at 1200 Florence Columbus Rd, Bordentown, NJ, it serves as a hub for clean energy technologies, emphasizing the transition of inventions from laboratories to practical applications. The institution operates several specialized programs, including EcoIgnite, a business incubator designed to assist clean energy technology companies in their commercialization journey, and WindIgnite, which supports the offshore wind supply chain in New Jersey. It provides invaluable resources such as access to faculty, advanced analytical equipment, technology scale-up facilities, business development assistance, and networking opportunities. Additional offerings include connections to venture capital, administrative support, and collaboration opportunities for foreign businesses entering the U.S. market. Founded by Alex Plinio, Nabil Adam, and Yonah Levenson, the organization not only prioritizes clean energy and environmental sustainability but also contributes significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in these sectors.

Rutgers EcoComplex's Website

The Rutgers University Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing urban entrepreneurialism and economic development through the integration of scholarly research, private capital, and community resources. Its mission is to establish a world-class, research-driven program aimed at fostering innovative thinking and practices within urban environments. Notable programs include ASCEND Newark, which boosts the engagement of diverse local suppliers with major institutions, and NJ BEST, which provides critical support to Black-owned high-impact enterprises affected by recent economic challenges. The Black and Latino Tech Initiative for Cofounders offers mentorship and resources to underrepresented startup founders. Through the Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative (EPI), participants gain valuable insights into branding and growth strategies, joining an alumni network that boasts over 400 members. The organization's focus encompasses urban entrepreneurship, economic development, and socially responsible practices, emphasizing wealth creation in urban communities. Its noteworthy founders include Alex Plinio, Nabil Adam, and Yonah Levenson. With comprehensive programs, it successfully drives economic revitalization and supports the emergence of thriving urban ecosystems.

Rutgers University - CUEED's Website

Hanu Software is a global leading provider of Microsoft technology services and solutions, regarded for its expertise in Data & AI, Managed Services, Cloud Migration, and Application & Data Modernization. Acquired by Insight Enterprises, a Fortune 500 solutions integrator, they serve as a Microsoft preferred cloud partner and are recognized as an award-winning Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Services Provider (MSP). The organization specializes in delivering cloud solutions across various domains, including Apps and Infrastructure, Data and AI, and Cloud Security. Its extensive capabilities contribute significantly to Insight's strengths as a Global Solutions Integrator, leveraging a large team of Azure cloud experts based in India. Anil Singh is noted as one of the founders, steering the institution towards notable achievements in the tech landscape, which encompasses industries such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, General Tech, Mobile Apps, and SaaS. Hanu's role in the cloud solutions market marks it as a pivotal player in enhancing technological possibilities for businesses worldwide.

Hanu Software's Website

This educational institution offers a transformative Accelerator and Co-Investment Program aimed at guiding companies to achieve substantial growth, often termed 'Moonshot' endeavors. The program features a four-pillar curriculum designed to elevate businesses within just one year. Led by Doug Tatum, the initiative is supported by a Board of Experts who assess participation on a selective basis. Companies that engage in the Accelerator Program during fundraising rounds are encouraged to allocate a portion of their raised funds to the Gathering of Giants community, fostering collaboration and investment opportunities. The focus remains on diverse industries, emphasizing a sector-agnostic approach. Through expert advisory support and a unique co-investment structure, participants are positioned to achieve transformative success and scale their operations efficiently.

Birthing of Giants's Website

The program is designed to support entrepreneurs and startups within the food industry, concentrating on sustainable and organic food production. Located in Bloomfield, NJ, it provides various manufacturing solutions specifically aimed at natural, organic, and health-oriented food manufacturers. Innovation is fostered across the food value chain, emphasizing key areas such as manufacturing, supply chain management, food safety, waste reduction, and agricultural technology (Agritech). The initiative offers a range of benefits typically found in incubators, including mentorship from industry experts, training and workshops for skill development, networking opportunities, access to resources, and potential funding in exchange for equity. The focus remains on nurturing innovative startups within the agriculture, food and beverage, healthcare tech, and logistics industries. This initiative not only aims to enhance production capabilities but also promotes sustainable practices throughout the food supply chain.

Organic Food Incubator's Website

The Institute of Life Science Incubator (ILSE) is a life science technology accelerator, business incubator, and a science-driven research institute. It is located within the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology, and Mathematics on the Kean University campus in Union, New Jersey. Spanning 16,000 sq ft, ILSE offers state-of-the-art facilities tailored for biosciences, including microbiology, bio-catalysis, microbial genomics, and microbiome research. Collaborating with innovators, academic institutions, and biomedical organizations, ILSE supports startups in biotech and healthcare tech domains, aiming to transform discoveries into practical solutions for global health. The accelerator is part of the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network, providing expertise in diagnostics, business strategy, and other support for antibacterial development projects. ILSE offers a nurturing ecosystem with mentorship, networking opportunities, and connections to venture capital. Key figures involved in its operations include supportive professionals and experienced mentors, enhancing the growth and success of early-stage companies.

Institute of Life Science Incubator's Website

The world's largest student-run entrepreneurship competition is organized annually by the Entrepreneurship Club. It serves as a premier platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase their startups and compete for significant funding and recognition. The competition features regional events held in cities such as New York City, California, Texas, Singapore, London, Paris, and India, allowing diverse student founders to participate. Over its lifetime, competitors have collectively raised over $1 million, and the final winners share $45,000 in no-strings-attached funding. Participants also gain opportunities to join selective accelerator programs, with many progressing to prestigious platforms like Y Combinator. The competition is open to startups across various industries, including General Tech, Healthcare Tech, and Social Media. In addition to funding, it provides valuable networking opportunities, mentorship, and insights from industry experts, helping participants refine their business ideas and broaden their professional connections. Through its structure and support, the organization empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and enterprise within the student community.

Tigerlaunch's Website

Tributary Ventures is an early-stage startup accelerator that specializes in investment management, mergers, acquisitions, and consulting services. Based in Mahwah, New Jersey, with additional offices in Puerto Rico and Poland, the organization is dedicated to partnering with innovators who possess transformative ideas. The accelerator focuses on emerging European technologies that can achieve substantial value in the North American market. With a portfolio comprising 8 companies, it operates in a sector-agnostic manner, actively engaging with diverse industries, including fintech and general technology. This flexible approach allows them to nurture a variety of innovative solutions and drive commercial success for their partners.

Tributary Ventures's Website

Uplift Accelerator is North America's first business accelerator dedicated to fostering an innovation ecosystem in the autism space. Founded by parents of children on the autism spectrum, its mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families through technological advancements. The need for solutions is significant, as over 70 million people globally, including 3.5 million in the United States, have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affecting 1 in 59 children, with a predominance among boys. The organization employs a unique 'Hub and Spoke' model, centralizing programming and resources while embedding startups within organizations with domain expertise to tackle high-impact challenges. The program focuses on domains such as communications, executive functioning, nutrition, anxiety, and employment, providing startups with seed investment and domain-specific mentorship. With the rising costs associated with ASD projected to reach $461 billion by 2025, there is a strong emphasis on accelerating the development and adoption of evidence-based technology solutions to address critical issues swiftly. It operates within industries such as Artificial Intelligence, Edtech, and Healthcare Tech, positioning itself as a catalyst for change in the autism community.

Uplift Innovation's Website

An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 2002, it is dedicated to supporting economic development through entrepreneurship. With a mission to create pathways for success, the institution connects entrepreneurs and small business owners to essential knowledge, networks, and capital. To date, over 6,000 small businesses have been positively impacted, and more than 1,000 business professionals contribute their expertise as volunteers. The organization specializes in fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly through initiatives like 'Women of Color Connecting,' which supports women entrepreneurs of color, and 'The Making of Black Angels,' aimed at increasing the number of black angel investors. Additionally, there is collaboration with Verizon to enhance offerings by providing resources such as free online courses, expert coaching, peer networking, and grant opportunities. Although investment advisory services are not offered, it plays a crucial role in empowering entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking, and educational frameworks, making it a valuable resource for the entrepreneurial community.

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership's Website

Westfield BioVentures is a startup accelerator based in Westfield, New Jersey, specializing in biotech and healthcare innovation. They work closely with entrepreneurs in these fields to drive innovation and uphold integrity. Westfield BioVentures is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of creativity to tackle significant challenges and opportunities in the biotech and healthcare sectors. The accelerator prioritizes collaboration and value creation. Industries of focus for Westfield BioVentures include Biotech and Healthcare Tech. The organization's commitment to fostering innovation in life sciences and healthcare is evident in their mission and approach.

Westfield BioVentures's Website

This dynamic ecosystem is aimed at nurturing growth-stage startups, bringing together technologists, corporations, and investors in Princeton, New Jersey, effectively creating a 'Silicon Valley East.' It focuses on supporting ventures in diverse domains, including finance technology, life science, retail, manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital health, blockchain, and big data initiatives. Employing a Pre-Series A investment strategy, the organization provides funding to scalable businesses with existing customers and revenue traction. Additionally, it offers mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, as well as networking opportunities with investors and other startups. By collaborating with the Princeton Angels network, ongoing support is ensured for funded startups to enhance their success potential. While the specific program duration is not detailed, the initiative typically follows the standard model of several weeks to a few months. Serving as a vital resource, it aids startups looking to accelerate their growth in the realms of artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, e-commerce, fintech, and healthcare technology.

Princeton Growth Accelerator's Website

entreprenYOURS (eYOURS) is acclaimed as the first startup accelerator of its kind, offering customary accelerator benefits such as networking, mentoring opportunities, and specialized programming provided by industry leaders. What distinguishes it is its pioneering system of cross equity ownership. eYOURS fosters a community of startup founders who exchange equity, support, and services at preferred rates, with each member and the organization holding equity in one another. This structure enables members to share in each other's successes, encouraging collaboration among network participants. eYOURS meticulously evaluates all applicants with stringent acceptance criteria, overseen by an independent board of advisors comprising seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. Accepted startups gain access to mentorship, education, and a diverse network of professionals. Additional perks include equity appreciation, preferred rates for services, and access to thought leaders. While specific metrics like associated startups and investors are undisclosed, the emphasis on equity diversification and collaboration positions eYOURS as a compelling option for startups across various industries.

entreprenYOURS's Website