The Garage operates a variety of impactful programs focused on startup incubation, student development, and funding opportunities.
All programs at The Garage are designed to allow students to explore entrepreneurship and gain a community. Programs at The Garage are open to all full-time, degree-seeking Northwestern students (undergraduate, graduate, or PhD) from any school, with the exception of the Little Joe Ventures Fellowship. Check out our programs & apply below!
A quarterly event where teams incubating at The Garage recruit new team members. Looking to join an existing student startup? This is your chance!
Jumpstart is a 10-week summer accelerator program for the most commited student teams - providing mentorship, $10,000, and 10-weeks of programming to accelerate your startup.
This pilot program provides students with the rare experience of working at early-stage startups in the real world - founded by alumni of The Garage.
VentureCat is a university-wide competition and program at Northwestern, where a prize pool of $175,000 is awarded to the university's most promising student-founded startups
Luminate is an entry level program for first-generation or low-income (FGLI) students with a startup idea.
X-Factor is a leadership development program that helps student founders develop heightened self-awareness so they can become better leaders.
The Opportunity Fund provides up to $1,000 in funding for SES-eligible current Residents or Tinkerers with a startup idea.
This highly competitive program offers financial awards, mentors, and transformational experiences for Sophomore students studying at the university.