Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

Accel Leadership Program

Main content start

The application for the 2025-2026 cohort is now closed.

Be notified when the application open for the 2026 – 2027 cohort and information sessions are posted!

Sign up

Build leadership skills through real-world problem-solving

The Accel Leadership Program (ALP) develops entrepreneurial leaders through case-based team learning. Each year, 16 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 a lifelong 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

Year-at-a-Glance

MS&E 277A

Winter

Tuesdays | 9:30 – 11:20 am

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.

Curriculum Highlights

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset and Finding Your Purpose
  • Values and Vision
  • Team Formation and Culture
  • Intro to VC and Sources of Capital
  • Legal Matters and Regulatory Consideration
  • Storytelling and Making Your Pitch
  • Ethical Dilemmas and Venture-Scale Entrepreneurship
  • Two Start-up Site Visits

MS&E 277B

Spring

Tuesdays | 9:30 – 11:20 am

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.

Curriculum Highlights

  • Four ALP Team Based IRL Case Studies with Start-up Founders
  • Leadership at Scale with Guest Speaker
  • Beyond ALP Panel with Alumni
  • Two Start-up Site Visits
  • Pitch Day with AMA at Accel Palo Alto

Teaching Team

Professor, MS&E and Faculty Director, STVP

Program Manager

Program Information

The Accel Leadership Program 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 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.

Fellows will:

  • Receive 2 units of credit for their completion of this program
  • Benefit from access to faculty coaches and industry-leading guest speakers from Silicon Valley startups and venture capitalists
  • Gain experience in solving real business strategy issues through interactive cases
  • Master fundamental skills in leadership and entrepreneurship such as, organizational structure, securing resources, and operating models
  • Build lasting connections through a diverse network of entrepreneurially-minded Stanford students and alumni from all majors and a cross-section of years
  • Attend in-person site visits at local Silicon Valley start-ups
  • Receive 1:1 mentorship with an Accel partner
  • Have the opportunity to present at the “Pitch Day” with Accel partners

Eligibility:

  • Must be an active graduate and co-terminal Stanford student during the program

Who Should Apply?

  • Students from any discipline or major are encouraged to apply
  • Applicants do not need to have a product idea in mind or built to apply

Testimonials

"ALP allowed me to reckon with the most pressing questions in starting a company — from finding co…

  • Testimonial
  • Accel Leadership Program

"ALP was a truly transformative experience for me. It immersed me deeply in the entrepreneurial…

  • Testimonial
  • Accel Leadership Program

"ALP was the most enriching and fulfilling experience for my entrepreneurial education at Stanford –…

  • Testimonial
  • Accel Leadership Program

Alumni

Class of 2025

AJ Phillips
Advit Deepak
Alina Santander
Athena Shiravi
Elsa Bismuth

Ina Natseva
Jayendra Chauhan
Julien Buist-Thuillier
Kabir Jolly
Katharina Rohr

Loubaba El Ayoubi
Neha Balamurugan
Olivia Lee
Thomas Escudero
Tireni Ajilore

Acknowledgements

STVP extends its deep appreciation to Accel for supporting this program for Stanford students.