Our membership is a large and vibrant network of U.S. higher education institutions and changemakers committed to supporting science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs.
VentureWell is on a mission to cultivate a pipeline of inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs driven to solve the world’s biggest challenges and create lasting impact. Through collaborating, learning, and sharing best practices, the VentureWell membership network strengthens the overall national innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem and enables innovators to create real social and environmental impact through invention.
We are currently waiving all membership fees for both new and returning members.
We’re excited to give you a sneak peek at our re-envisioned membership program, shaped by valuable insights from the VentureWell community. We have refined and expanded our benefits to better support you and your organization in advancing STEM I&E. We plan on rolling out new membership features in summer 2025, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon!
Why Join?
Opportunities To Apply for Grant Funding
Students can apply for the E-Team Program, which helps them explore pathways for entrepreneurship and advance their inventions through a powerful mix of up to $25,000 in grant funding, entrepreneurship training, mentorship by dedicated staff, and more.
Faculty and higher education leaders can apply for the Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, a one-year program that aims to strengthen campus innovation and entrepreneurship. Teams of two receive $35,000 in funding and 12 months of immersive programming and communities of practice.
Quarterly Educational Webinars
Join us for an hour-long professional development webinar each quarter! Stay current on STEM I&E hot topics and trends in higher education. Sign up and be the first to know when our new webinar schedule is released!
Member Directory
Easily connect with fellow VentureWell members from across the nation. Grow your network and cross-pollinate ideas with a group of invested leaders in the I&E space. It’s not just who you know, it’s who others know. Coming soon!
Monthly Virtual Networking Events
Grab your favorite beverage and meet someone new in our community! Each event will begin with a member sharing a best practice and will move into more informal networking. Sign up and be the first to know when our new monthly virtual networking event schedule is released.
Members-Only Discounts
Starting in July, we will begin to offer members-only discounts to our virtual and in-person events.
Exclusive Online Community
By engaging in our online community, members can voice their challenges, receive feedback, and share resources and tools with like-minded STEM I&E catalysts from across the nation. Learn, share, and grow your network! Coming soon.
Visibility and Advertising Opportunities
Showcase your and your institution’s STEM I&E news and announcements! Members receive visibility through digital and in-person avenues like VentureWell’s website, social media channels, and newsletter, as well as recognition at live events like members-only mixers.
Current Members
Our Membership Reach
- There are 230 active VentureWell member institutions serving over 4 million students.
- Members include higher ed faculty, staff, administrators, leaders, and students.
- Since 1996, we’ve awarded nearly $21 million in funding through our higher ed initiatives. Every year, we award over $800,000 via E-Team Program grants to early-stage innovator teams.