What You'll Gain
Up to $10k in non-dilutive grant funding
VIP-X teams receive funding to help them reach their entrepreneurial goals.
1:1 Advising
Each team is assigned an advisor with years of experience in entrepreneurship. Teams will meet with their advisors biweekly throughout the semester, to have a constant mentor to get feedback from.
Dedicated coworking space in Tangen Hall
Founders are given a co-working desk space on Tangen Hall’s Founder Floor to help build community amongst founders, and have a convenient home base for those late night investor meetings.
Advanced Workshops
VIP-X teams will get private workshops from industry experts at the top of their field, ensuring you get industry insights to keep you at the top of your field.
And many more special perks!
From pro-bono legal support from one of our in-kind sponsors to AWS credits to Sunday marketing support, VIP-X teams have many top tier resources to take their venture to the next level.
The Program
Deadline Jan 11 2026 11:59 PM (ET)
VIP-X Philadelphia is open to any current Penn student during the fall and spring semesters. The lead applicant must be located in Philly for the program. Through workshops with industry experts, meetings with entrepreneurial advisors with decades of experience, and other special perks, students will gain the knowledge and expertise to take their venture to the next level.
Jan 9 2026 04:59 PM (ET)
VIP-X San Francisco is open to current Penn students and Penn alumni. The lead applicant must be located in San Francisco for the program. Through workshops with industry experts, meetings with entrepreneurial advisors with decades of experience, and other special perks, participants will gain the knowledge and expertise to take their venture to the next level.
FAQ
Still have more questions? Email us for more information.
What is the selection process? How many spots are available in a cohort?
Applications will be reviewed, and a select number of strong applicants will be invited to interview. The interviews are designed to be evaluative and also provide founders with feedback and coaching. Up to 7 ventures will be invited to join each cohort for our Fall and Spring cycles.
Can non-profit ventures apply to VIP-X?
VIP-X is open to ventures across various industries, including social and non-profit ventures.
What is the time commitment for VIP-X?
Participants are expected to commit to at least 2 hours per week (between semi-weekly cohort meetings and one-on-ones with advisors). Founders should be working on their ventures asynchronously week-to-week. There is an attendance policy, and having more than one unexcused absence from a cohort meeting will result in removal from the program.
Who can apply to the VIP-X program?
- For VIP-X Philadelphia, the team lead/lead applicant must be a currently enrolled, Philadelphia-based Penn student in a degree-granting program. VIP-X Philly does not take alumni ventures. We encourage full team participation (including co-founders or team members who are not affiliated with Penn) to maximize the program's impact on your venture's growth. We believe that this fosters a collaborative learning environment and strengthens the support network.
- For VIP-X San Francisco, students AND alumni are encouraged to apply.
How do I know if I am ready for VIP-X?
- We’re looking for ventures that are ready to make the most of VIP-X’s resources.
Team: We’re looking for ventures led by strong, dedicated teams. Your team should bring unique skills and experience to the table, with a clear plan for addressing any gaps. Whether it’s advisors, mentors, or future hires, show us how your team is positioned for success. - Customer & Traction: We value ventures that demonstrate a deep understanding of their customers and early signs of traction (users, pilot programs, or paying customers). Whether you’re in a low-barrier or high-barrier industry, we want to see that you’ve engaged with your market and validated your business idea. Product: Your venture should have a product or service actively in development—whether it’s an early-stage Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a functional prototype, or a fully tested pilot. We’re looking for ventures that demonstrate a commitment to using customer feedback to iterate and improve their offering.
- Market and Business Model: We’re looking for ventures with a clear plan to bring their product or service to market. Show us how you’ll reach your customers. Additionally, outline how your business will generate revenue—and how this aligns with your costs and long-term growth strategy.
Startup Stories
Find out what's happening across the #entrePENNeur community! Want to tell your story? Contact us at venturelab@upenn.edu.
VIP-X Ventures
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