Two Stanford students launch $2M startup accelerator for students nationwide

In a significant development for aspiring entrepreneurs, two students from Stanford University have successfully secured $2 million in funding for an innovative accelerator program named Breakthrough Ventures. This initiative is designed to support businesses established by college students and recent graduates across the nation. Roman Scott and Itbaan Nafi, who have been instrumental in the accelerator's inception, began their journey by hosting popular Demo Days at Stanford starting in 2024. Their success prompted the decision to expand the program to assist a broader range of students. Nafi, currently pursuing a master’s degree, expressed that this fundraising marks a pivotal shift for Breakthrough, transforming it from a seasonal accelerator into a long-term partnership with student founders. Scott, a Stanford alumnus who earned his undergraduate degree in 2024 and a master's degree shortly after, highlighted the uniqueness of their accelerator. It is specifically crafted for student entrepreneurs, by students. The duo enlisted Raihan Ahmed to spearhead the accelerator, subsequently attracting investments from notable sources such as Mayfair and Collide Capital, as well as Stanford alumni. While student-focused programs are not new—UC Berkeley has Free Ventures, and MIT offers the Sandbox Innovation Fund—Breakthrough stands out for its commitment to bridging the funding and opportunity gap that many student entrepreneurs face. Scott noted that historically, students have had limited access to capital and essential networks needed to launch their ventures. The program will adopt a hybrid model, featuring in-person meetings at leading venture capital firms and culminating in a Demo Day at Stanford. Participants will benefit from grant funding of up to $100,000, computing credits provided through Microsoft and NVIDIA’s Inception program, legal support, Waymo ride credits, and mentorship from industry leaders, including Waymo CEO Tekedra Mawakana. Additionally, participants may receive a $50,000 follow-on investment upon completion of the program. Nafi emphasized their understanding of the student experience, stating, “We’ve nailed the student-founder experience to a T,” which drives their resource offerings and program structure. The duo aims to deploy the fund over three years, targeting the incubation of at least 100 companies. Nafi envisions Breakthrough evolving into a central hub for Gen-Z entrepreneurship, especially amid the economic uncertainties faced by many young individuals today. With applications for the latest cohort now open, Nafi expressed hope that by empowering young entrepreneurs, they can inspire a wave of innovation that fosters community change and economic stability for many families worldwide.