ElevAsian New Venture Cohort Program
What to ExpectThe Ideation to Venture Launch Program is designed for early-stage founders who want to explore an idea, understand their customers, and shape a venture that can realistically move forward. Over eight (8) sessions, participants work through the key questions every founder faces—from identifying the right problem to presenting their venture with clarity.
Along the way, founders test their thinking, learn from the experiences of other entrepreneurs, and refine the direction of their venture. Optional one-on-one progress checkpoints provide space for focused guidance and feedback as ideas evolve. The program concludes with a venture pitch session where participants share their ideas, receive feedback, and reflect on the progress they have made.
What the Program Includes
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Eight (8) interactive founder sessions
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Optional one-on-one venture progress checkpoints
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Draft pitch feedback before the final presentation
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Conversations with experienced founders and leaders
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Final venture pitch session
The ElevAsian New Venture Cohort Program supports founders in the ideation to early-launch stage, who are exploring or developing a new venture. Participants come from diverse professional backgrounds and industries including technology, retail, and service-based businesses. Across our sessions, founders move from early ideas toward a clearer understanding of the problems they aim to solve, the customers they hope to serve, and the value their ventures can create.
The program emphasizes structured exploration and practical learning, helping founders test assumptions, refine their ideas, and develop ventures that can sustain themselves over time. Between sessions, participants engage in venture progress checkpoints- short advisory conversations designed to support reflection and provide mentorship and targeted guidance as ventures evolve. The program concludes with a venture pitch session where founders present their venture ideas and reflect on the progress they have made throughout the program. The program is led by an MBA instructor, who is an expert in startup underserved entrepreneurs and entrepreneur herself.
Join the next round of cohorts for the ElevAsian New Venture Cohort Program — Apply today!
Cohort starts Sept 22nd, 2026 and deadline to apply ends Sept 8th, 2026 (dates subject to change).
Sessions take place online Wednesdays from 6:30–8:00 PM EST.
Who Should Apply
Participants may come from a range of industries, including technology, retail, and service-based businesses.
Open to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, and disability.
This program is designed for people who are:
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a startup or business idea
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an early-stage venture
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entrepreneurship as a next step
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for thoughtful feedback and a community of founders
Meet the Instructor
Sandhya Balasubramanian is a startup co-founder, entrepreneurship educator, and venture mentor supporting early-stage founders in building and scaling innovation-driven ventures. As a New Venture Advisor with ElevAsian and Assistant Dean at the WPI Business School, she brings deep experience in startup development, ecosystem building, and applied entrepreneurship education.
Discover More About the Program by Downloading Our Brochure
Open to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, and disability.
Bring Your Ideas to Life
Are you unsure what your next step should be to grow your business?
Do you wish you had access to experienced founders and a community of entrepreneurs to learn from and grow with?
Do you wish you had a space to test ideas and get honest feedback?
Do you feel like you’re figuring everything out on your own?