Premier Incubator for Emerging Entrepreneurs

Launched in 2021, the WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator program is designed to develop the mindset, leadership competencies, and business ideas of aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs at educational institutions.

Featured at five institutions, the program includes a series of

  • structured learning sessions, business labs, networking and mentoring opportunities
  • a pitch competition with seed grant award opportunities

Program Period

September 2026 – October 2026

Location

Virginia State University Campus and online.

APPLY NOW

Application Deadline is Mon, Aug 24 by 11:59 PM ET.

 

Required Learning Sessions

Attendance at all in-person and virtual session dates are mandatory for acceptance into the 2026 Incubators.

  • Mon. Sept 14, 5-7 PM ET (In-Person) – Session 1 Kickoff: CEO Competencies & Mindset
    Begin or continue your entrepreneurial journey by connecting the passion behind your business idea to the mindset, discipline, and action needed to move it forward. This session focuses on how to fully engage in the program while cultivating a CEO mindset and core competencies that support long term professional growth.
  • Mon. Sep 21, 5-7 PM ET – Session 2: Managing Resources Effectively
    Set up your business idea for growth by learning how to identify and leverage the resources around you. The session explores key “currencies” that support business growth, including time, money, relationships, skills, visibility, program access, and support systems.
  • Mon. Sep 28, 5-7 PM ET – Session 3: Refining Ideas & Opportunities
    Transform your business idea into an innovative solution which addresses marketplace or community needs. The session delves into three core principles of entrepreneurship: clarify need, define solution, and business differentiation from others.
  • Mon. Oct 5, 5-7 PM ET – Session 4: Creating Prototypes & Experiments
    Build for the future by designing unique products and/or services; important step to help develop your brand identity. The session focuses on exploring possibilities by creating prototypes, conducting experiments, and testing feasibility with data insights and more.
  • Mon. Oct 12, 5-7 PM ET – Session 5: Building a Roadmap for Success
    Develop a purposeful and strategic business plan that enables continued progress on your entrepreneurial journey. The session covers various planning and execution tactics to measure and maintain progress with business goals and objectives.
  • Mon. Oct 19, 5-7 PM ET – Session 6: Refining a Purposeful Pitch
    Refine a compelling and concise narrative about your business to attract customers, investors, partners, and others. The session focuses on the art of storytelling, specific techniques to effectively communicate key aspects of the business purpose, brand, and growth.
  • Mon, Nov 9, 5-8 PM ET (In-Person) – Session 7: Pitch Competition & Awards
    A culmination of the program experience to showcase and celebrate learnings, commitment, and accomplishments of cohort participants.

Please note: Sessions 1 and 7 of the Entrepreneur Incubator will take place in person on campus. All sessions in between (Sessions 2–6) will be held virtually.

Optional Business Lab Sessions & Mentoring Hours

NEW Business Lab Sessions

Optional one-hour virtual sessions open to all participants across the five incubator cohorts. Discussion topics focus on business trends, entrepreneur insights, real world experiences, and helpful tools.

  • Tuesday, Sep 22, 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET (Virtual) – Business Banking 101: Building Financial Readiness
  • Tuesday, October 13, 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET (Virtual) – Using AI to Work Smarter and Build Faster
  • Tuesday, November 3, 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET (Virtual) – Business Legal Basics: Setting Up Right and Protecting What You Build

Mentoring Hours

1-1 Mentoring Hours – Mondays from 9:00 – 5:00 PM and Wednesdays from 12:00 – 2:00 PM (Virtual) with facilitators, program sponsors or WBENC team members

Who Should Apply

Applicant Eligibility

  • Enrolled students at Virginia State University, or recent graduates within the last 12 months
  • Emerging entrepreneurs of ANY gender with a business idea or early-stage venture within 18 months of launching
  • Past Incubator participants are ineligible

Contact incubator@wbenc.org for more information.

Entrepreneur Incubator at Virginia State University Sponsor
Why Participate

Student entrepreneurs or recent graduates accepted into the Entrepreneur Incubator will learn how to test the viability of their ideas and discover how to transform their idea to a minimum viable product. Participants will engage in entrepreneurship curriculum taught by subject matter experts from some of the most successful businesses and America’s largest Fortune 500 companies. The Incubator will culminate with a Pitch Competition awarding thousands of dollars in seed capital.

 

Entrepreneur Incubator Cohort FAQs
  • Who should consider applying for this Incubator?
    • The Entrepreneur Incubator at VSU is open to all students at VSU, regardless of major or class standing.
  • Who is eligible to apply for the Incubator?
    • The Entrepreneur Incubator at VSU is open to all female individuals who are students at VSU, regardless of major or class standing.
  • How many participants are typically in each cohort?
    • The cohort includes up to 45 students.
  • Who will teach the sessions during the Incubator?
    • The sessions will be facilitated by accomplished business owners who are subject matter experts in each topic.
  • Where will the sessions be held?
    • Sessions for the Entrepreneur Incubator at VSU will be conducted in a hybrid format, combining virtual sessions via Zoom Meetings with in-person sessions hosted on the VSU campus.
  • When are the sessions scheduled to take place?
    • Entrepreneur Incubator at VSU sessions will be held on Mondays from 5:00 – 7:00PM ET, starting on Monday, September 14th. Please see the class schedule section of this page for more information.
  • When will I be notified of a decision?
    • You will be notified by Sep 4.

 

How To Apply
  • APPLY NOW
  • Application Deadline is Mon, Aug 24 by 11:59 PM ET.
  • Attendance at all in-person and virtual session dates are mandatory for acceptance into the 2026 Incubators.
Being part of the Entrepreneur Incubator has pushed me to think more strategically and confidently about my business. It has helped me refine my problem statement, validate my market, and structure Midpoint Connect as a scalable, impactful venture. The incubator has also connected me to mentors and peers who challenge my ideas, offer feedback, and expand my ability to innovate. Instead of building from emotion alone, I’m building with intention, data, and a stronger entrepreneurial mindset. The experience has strengthened both my clarity and my courage as a founder.
Destiny Butler
Founder | Midpoint Connect
Destiny Butler
Being part of the Entrepreneur Incubator has completely elevated how I operate as a founder. Before the incubator, I had passion and a strong idea. Now I have structure, accountability, and a much deeper understanding of how to build a scalable product. The incubator pushed me to validate the problem with real data, refine my pitch, and think through the business model instead of just the app itself.
Aaron Harrison
Founder | HotSpot
Aaron Harrison
Being part of the Entrepreneur Incubator has been a transformative experience, largely due to the incredible mentorship and guidance from the mentors and judges. Their expertise and insights provided me with invaluable strategies to refine my business model and approach challenges with a fresh perspective. Their feedback was not only constructive but also deeply motivating, giving me the confidence to pursue my vision for Snapify LLC with greater clarity and determination. The mentors and judges were great resources and also catalysts for my growth as an entrepreneur. Their support and encouragement helped me see new possibilities for innovation and success, making this program a pivotal moment in my journey. I am incredibly grateful for their role in helping me take my business to the next level.
Aniya Omopariola
Founder | Snapify LLC
Aniya Omopariola
Being part of the Entrepreneur Incubator has transformed my approach to entrepreneurship and innovation by teaching me to view challenges as opportunities for growth and creativity. The program helped me understand the importance of building a business that is not only authentic to my vision but also adaptable to changing needs. I learned how to develop a strategic plan, leverage my strengths, and align my brand with the values of sustainability, individuality, and community. The incubator also encouraged me to embrace collaboration and to see innovation as a continuous process. By engaging with mentors and peers, I realized that successful entrepreneurship involves taking risks, asking for help, and staying open to new perspectives. These lessons have empowered me to refine my goals for Knot Your Bama, approach obstacles with confidence, and push my creativity further than I thought possible.
Ayannah King
Founder | KnotYourBama
Ayannah King
Being part of the Entrepreneur Incubator has deeply shaped my approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. Before the program, I often felt overwhelmed by the big-picture goals I had for Electric Sol Foods. Now, with the skills and insights I've gained, I approach challenges in a more structured and strategic way. Breaking down my goals into manageable steps has given me clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s also taught me the importance of planning, tracking progress, and staying adaptable along the way. Most importantly, this experience has reinforced my belief that entrepreneurship is not just about having a vision, but about taking intentional, consistent actions to turn that vision into reality.
Sharnae Purcell
Founder | Electric Sol Foods
Sharnae Purcell
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from this incubator is the unwavering support and dedication of a team of individuals who are eager to help you succeed. Whether you are in the ideation stage or already have an established business, there are individuals who are genuinely invested in seeing you thrive and achieve success as a Black woman entrepreneur. This realization has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me, as it reinforces the idea that I am not alone in my entrepreneurial journey and that there are people who are rooting for my success. Moreover, participating in this incubator has underscored the importance of community and collaboration in building a successful business. The emphasis on working together, sharing ideas, and leveraging the collective knowledge and expertise of fellow entrepreneurs has been instrumental in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship. The exchange of perspectives, feedback, and insights within this collaborative environment has not only broadened my horizons but has also provided me with a valuable support system that is essential for navigating the challenges and complexities of entrepreneurship.
Sydnee Harris-Ratliff
Founder | Silky Treats
Sydnee Harris-Ratliff
Apply Now for the 2026 Entrepreneur Incubator!
APPLY NOW
See upcoming events.
See events