DreamIt, which is ranked the #9 or #15 top startup accelerator depending whom you ask, believes they are the first top-tier accelerator to launch a program for women. Startups will get the regular DreamIt perks, which include $25,000 in funding and office space. But they’ll also get resources targeted specifically at women founders, including:
Curriculum and speakers on the challenges for women entrepreneurs. Access to mentors through Springboard Enterprises, a network of experts who want to help women launch tech startups. Access to funding through Golden Seeds, an angel group that focuses on women-led businesses.
DreamIt Athena is funded by a grant of nearly $500,000 from the State of Pennsylvania’s Discovered and Developed in PA Program (D2PA). This is the second demographic-specific program for DreamIt: in 2011, they launched DreamIt Access to support ethnic minority founders. They also run regular accelerator programs in Philadelphia, Austin, New York, and Baltimore. To join DreamIt Athena, apply here by December 8.
