Accel Leadership Program

Build leadership skills through real-world problem-solving

The Accel Leadership Program (ALP) develops entrepreneurial leaders through case-based team learning. Each year, 16 technically-minded Stanford graduate and co-term students from across the University solve real-world problems with fellows and mentors. Students work in teams with a high growth venture CEO to create and present a case study on a real-world business problem. Over six-months, Accel Fellows build life-long community and learn about startup strategy, organizational structure, fundraising, leading and scaling technical ventures, and operating models. Students will also have the opportunity to attend in-person site visits at local Silicon Valley start-ups throughout the year.

Current Cohort

Shikha Avancha

Clinical Informatics Management

Shadi Elaridi

Mechanical Engineering

Akayla Hackson

Electrical Engineering

Julius Hillebrand

Management Science & Engineering

Arec Jamgochian

PhD Robotics (Aero/Astro)

Ali Kight

Bioengineering

Rizwaan Malik

Education Data Science

Fahad Nabi

Symbolic Systems

Divya Nagaraj

Computer Science

Guillaume Noziere

Management Science & Engineering

Emily Redmond

Computer Science & Human Computer Interaction

Saige Sunier

Design, Mechanical Engineering

Angela Tsao

Earth System Science; Computer Science

Bingyi Wang

Physics

Tim Wu

Bioengineering, Management Science & Engineering

Yang Fan Yun

Computer Science, Management Science & Engineering

Year-at-a-Glance

Winter

MS&E 277A

Explore how to lead entrepreneurial ventures including establishing startup strategy, forming organizational culture and effective team structures, securing resources, and building operating models that scale. Students will have the opportunity to attend in-person site visits at local Silicon Valley start-ups.

Spring

MS&E 277A

Teams create a real-time case study with a current startup CEO/senior executive that tackles a real-world business problem for their high-growth venture, and present the case on the challenge and the potential paths to resolution. Students will have the opportunity to attend in-person site visits at local Silicon Valley Startups.

Teaching Team

Tom Byers

Professor, MS&E and Faculty Director, STVP

Bio
Tom Byers

Mo Lei Fong

Executive Director, STVP

Bio

Steve Loughlin

Partner, Accel

Bio
Steve Loughlin

Program Information

STVP Accel Leadership Program and explores how to lead entrepreneurial ventures including establishing startup strategy, forming organizational culture and effective team structures, securing resources, and building operating models that scale. Teams formulate a case study with a current startup CEO/senior executive that tackles a real-world business problem for their high-growth venture, and present the case on the challenge and the potential paths to resolution. Fellows will:

Application Information

Enrollment is limited to 16 current Stanford graduate and co-term students from any major or school at Stanford. Preference is given to technically-minded students and STEM majors who have demonstrated an interest in entrepreneurship and leadership. An example of demonstrated interest includes taking a “launch” class such as Lean Launchpad, Technology Venture Formation, or similar entrepreneurship courses.

This year we will not have a common application for all our available fellows programs, so if you are interested in applying for the Accel Leadership Program, please follow the application link below. Students will be asked to provide their academic information, a resume/CV, and thoughtful responses to essay questions, such as their experience with entrepreneurship as well as sharing challenges they’ve overcome as a leader. Select applicants will be asked to send in a video and attend an in-person interview November 7 – 10, which will allow applicants the chance to share their unique backgrounds with the selection committee. The in-person interviews will be conducted in groups.

The application for the 2023 – 2024 Accel Leadership Program cohort is now open!

Application Deadline: Sunday, October 15

If you’re interested in learning more about the Accel Leadership Program please join us for an info session with the teaching team and Accel alumni. The info session schedule is below. Please be sure to RSVP.

Please email Mandy Llerena-Weiks with any questions about applying to the Accel Leadership Program.

Info Sessions dates

The Accel Leadership Program teaching team will be holding a series of virtual and in person info sessions during the application period for the 2023-2024 cohort. These info sessions are designed for prospective fellows to learn more about the program, commitment, application, interview process, etc. Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the teaching team. Please RSVP for our info sessions through the link below to receive a Zoom link and reminder email. If you have any issues with the Zoom link that was sent to you prior to the info session, please email Mandy Llerena-Weiks at allerena@stanford.edu.

(VIRTUAL) Tuesday, August 22 @ 5:00 pm PT

(IN-PERSON) Thursday, September 28 @ 12:00 pm PT

Testimonials

Alumni

Acknowledgements

STVP, the Stanford Engineering Entrepreneurship Center, extends its deep appreciation to Accel for supporting this program for Stanford students.

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