VentureForward at UVA Engineering

The entrepreneurial process is based on creative problem-solving.  At UVA Engineering, we believe the work afforded through entrepreneurship develops valuable skills for all stages of your career.  VentureForward provides engineering students, faculty, and staff with seed funding, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training.  Open to the entire UVA Engineering community, and for projects at any stage of idea or venture development, VentureForward provides up to $1,000 in support. The funding is intended to help you move forward in the startup process, this can be through prototype development, testing, or software building.  As a program, VentureForward is investing in your experiential learning by giving you and your team the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship.   

You can apply individually or as a team. Funding is distributed through reimbursements, though exceptions are possible in certain situations. Teams can remain in the program for 6-12 months and apply for multiple cohorts.  In the 2024-2025 academic year, 40 teams received funding — including faculty, staff, and students.  

Applicants will complete a very short form, outlining a new project. This can be a software project, a hardware project, a design-inspired technology project, or something entirely different. The application will include project timeline, team members, resources required, technical/expert assistance required, and a budget request.  Please see the application tab for more information.  

Interested in entrepreneurship or innovation and not sure where to start?  Check out UVA Innovates and The Foundry or email [email protected] to join workshops through VentureForward.  

Fall 2026 cohort will be open September 1 - September 15.  Apply for up to $1,000 for new teams or up to $2,500 for returning teams.  If you are a returning team, you will need to demonstrate progress and prepare a mini-pitch for your venture. Reach out if you would like more information!