Find The Right Resource For You
Each resource is labeled with an access level (open to students, alumni, or requiring eligibility criteria), so users can easily determine if they qualify. Additionally, the map outlines availability, showing whether resources are offered in the fall, spring, summer, or year-round. Users can also see whether the resource is on-campus, off-campus, or virtual, making it easy to locate and engage with the appropriate support.
For Students
Discover key resources for your entrepreneurial journey, including funding, mentorship, and workshops. Filter based on your current stage, whether you're exploring or launching your venture.
For Staff:
Use the map to guide students toward resources like legal assistance, incubators, and funding, helping them access the support needed to develop their ventures.
For Alumni:
Reconnect with Venture Lab through the Ecosystem Map to access resources like funding, mentorship, and networking events. Whether you're growing your business or supporting new ventures, the map links you to opportunities within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
How to Use The Ecosystem Map
Use the map interface to explore various resources available for entrepreneurs. Each resource is tagged based on the pathway, type, and access level provided by Venture Lab OR known resources across Philadelphia and San Francisco. Below are descriptions for each tag.
By Pathway:
- Explorer: For those curious about entrepreneurship, offering introductory resources and events.
- Founder: For individuals actively building a startup, providing mentorship, funding, and support.
- Joiner: For people looking to join a startup team, connecting them with opportunities and networks.
- Investor: For those interested in funding startups, offering insights, connections, and investment opportunities.
- Navigator: For those guiding or advising startups, providing tools, resources, and networks to support entrepreneurs.
By Resource:
- Entrepreneurial Courses: Educational programs focused on entrepreneurship.
- Funding Opportunities: Grants, investments, or financial support for startups.
- Co-Working Spaces: Shared office spaces for collaborative work.
- Competitions & Pitch Events: Opportunities to compete and present ideas.
- Incubator/Accelerator Programs: Structured programs to support startup growth.
- Legal and IP Assistance: Help with legal issues and intellectual property.
- Mentorship Programs: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs.
- Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with others in the ecosystem.
- Research & Publications: Access to studies and reports.
- Product & Technology Development: Resources for developing products and tech.
- Workshops & Trainings: Skill-building sessions and training programs.
- Other: Any other relevant resources not listed above.
By Access Level:
- Open to Students: Available to all students.
- Application Required: Requires an application to participate.
- Eligibility Criteria: Specific criteria must be met for access.
- Fee Required: Involves a fee to use the resource.
- Membership Registration: Requires membership for access.
- Open to Students & Alumni: Available to both students and alumni.
By Availability
- Fall: Available during the fall semester.
- Spring: Available during the spring semester.
- Summer: Available during the summer term.
- Ongoing: Continuously available throughout the year.
Only @ Venture Lab
From accelerator programs and mentorship networks to unique funding opportunities and pitch competitions that you won't find anywhere else, helping you accelerate your venture with Penn's full support.
The Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) program provides training, funding, and guidance to help interested students buy an established small to medium-sized company and operate, optimize, and grow it.
The Penn Wharton Innovation Fund exists to fund creative and meaningfully innovative ventures from the Penn student community while giving students on the investment team the opportunity to develop skills that will benefit them when pursuing a career in early-stage investing.
VIP-X is an intense, 3-month accelerator program for the most dedicated student entrepreneurs and the most advanced startups.
The Visiting Experts Program is a Venture Lab program that provides students with the opportunity to meet alumni founders, entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and industry experts in one-on-one or small group AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions.
Startup Stories
Find out what's happening across the #entrePENNeur community! Want to tell your story? Contact us at venturelab@upenn.edu.
