University programme · Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Desai Accelerator

The University of Michigan's summer accelerator for early-stage, tech-enabled startups founded by U-M Ann Arbor alumni or upcoming graduates, pairing weekly mentor check-ins with a paid team of student interns.

Status unknown Run by University of Michigan

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published
Instrument
not published
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
Hybrid
Stages
Pre-seed, seed
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
not published
Perks
  • Weekly check-ins with the same mentors
  • Paid team of ten students for business, design and technical projects
  • Access to U-M research, faculty and alumni network

The 2026 programme ran from 1 June to 30 September 2026: a week-long in-person kickoff in Ann Arbor, a hybrid residency, then a demo at the Michigan Innovation Reunion. Funding terms are not stated on the programme page.

Application dates

Status unknown

Dates not published. Applications for the 2027 programme are expected to open in late 2026.

Usual timing: Applications for the 2027 programme are expected to open in late 2026.

Who can apply

  • At least one founder or co-founder is a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor alum or upcoming graduate
  • The startup has a validated concept and a scalable business model
  • The whole team commits full-time for the entire programme
  • Teams of at least two with complementary skills are preferred; solo founders are discouraged
  • Stage: pre-seed, seed

What founders should check

  1. The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It mixes remote and in-person sessions in Ann Arbor. Ask how much time on site it expects.
  4. Dates for the next cohort are not published. Applications for the 2027 programme are expected to open in late 2026.

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