Batten Institute
Batten Institute - Ventures - i.Lab Incubator
i.Lab Incubator
The i.Lab incubator is a summer program that guides entrepreneurs through a journey from idea to market readiness. Founders will be part of a supportive community, with tailored mentorship, workshops, peer collaboration and $5,000+ funding per venture.
The Incubator is an initiative of the Batten Institute at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, with financial support to current students from the University’s “Great and Good” entrepreneurship initiative. The Incubator supports UVA founders committed to building and growing early-stage ventures they want to see in the world with cohort-based strategic operational, legal, mentoring and financial support.
View application details and eligibility requirements for the 2025 i.Lab Incubator program
24 years of startups and counting! Check out i.Lab Incubator ventures from previous cohorts
Our Mission
The UVA i.Lab guides entrepreneurs through a journey from idea to market readiness. By fostering a supportive community with tailored mentorship, workshops, and peer collaboration, the i.Lab helps founders understand their problem, validate their value proposition, and accelerate growth. Participants access structured programming, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and funding opportunities. Upon completion, ventures leave with a refined pitch, tested MVP, and a valuable network, positioning them for continued success and scalability.
How to Apply:
The 2025 i.Lab application is now open!
View the application guidelines web page to learn more and apply. Please review the Program Expectations below before submitting an application.
Apply as soon as you feel like you can put together a strong application. With each passing deadline, fewer seats in the cohort will be available.
2025 Timeline:
- 5 December: Darden Early Admission Deadline
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14 January: i.Lab Application Q&A Session (held in person at the i.Lab Classroom at Darden Business School. 5:30-6:30PM)
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27 January: i.Lab Application Opens
- 10 February: 1st Application Round Deadline
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17-21 February: 1st Round Interviews (Decision by March 7). Interviews are by invitation only.
- 5 March: 2nd Application Round Deadline, Application closes
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16-20 March: 2nd Round Interviews (Decision by March 28) Interviews are by invitation only. *All alumni venture interviews will take place during this round*
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2-5 June: Virtual Incubator Orientation
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9-12 June: Kick Off Intensive (In person)
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14-17 July: Mid-summer Intensive (In person)
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11-12 August: Demo Showcase (In person)
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September through November: Accelerate phase
Incubator Benefits:
- Baseline grant funding available from the Incubator and/or UVA entrepreneurship initiative for current student teams
- Additional funding may be available from individual schools on a per student basis. For questions related to additional funding please see below contacts:
- College of Arts and Sciences: Sara Sajadi sarasajadi@virginia.edu
- McIntire School of Commerce: Eric K. Martin em5dq@virginia.edu
- School of Engineering: Dean West engrdean@virginia.edu
- Batten School: Amanda Crombie am3de@virginia.edu
- UVA Wise: Shankar Naskar sn8sf@uvawise.edu
- Darden and all remaining schools: Anya Eisenfrats eisenfratsa@darden.virginia.edu
- Intensive in-person kick-off week and mid-summer gathering week
- Demo Night where founders present progress and make connections
- Workshops, online resources and special events
- Mentorship and advisory support from experienced founders and industry experts
- Access to coworking space, community, and connections
- Immersion in the principles of effectuation
Program Structure
The i.Lab summer program is a full time program combining in person and virtual participation. Participation is counted by attendance, stakeholder updates, and goal progress
In Person Weeks
Content includes: workshops, group breakouts, venture work time, founder introductions.
- In-person Intensive weeks: 9-12 June, 14-17 July, 11-12 August
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In-person Intensive week schedule: Monday: 12-5; Tuesday: 9-5; Wednesday: 9-4, with evening networking event; Thursday 9-1
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Demo Showcase Schedule: Monday, August 11: 12-5; Tuesday, August 12: 11-8
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Virtual Weeks
Content includes: group meetings, stakeholder updates, pitch camp, mentor meetings, networking events, virtual/IRL workshops.
Program Expectations:
- MVP (or initial/working version) by the beginning of the Validate Phase and commitment to consistent product/service development for the duration of the program
- Continued focus on iterating the product/service
- Progress on plan to accomplish goals, outcomes, and deliverables
- Attendance at in-person intensive week (3-6 June), mid-summer gathering week (8-11 July), and Demo Showcase (7-8 August) in Charlottesville
- Deep engagement in regular programming, including speakers and other topical workshops and deep dives
- Joining weekly check-ins (approximately two hours) with Incubator staff and peer founders
- Being a positive and contributing member of, and resource to, the cohort
- Working with your assigned mentor to conduct at least three meetings
For questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Anya Eisenfrats, program manager.
At the “Demo Night” on 8 August 2024, 28 new ventures that completed a 10-week startup program run by the Batten Institute of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at the Darden School of Business made pitches to an audience of peers, mentors and supporters, including Caren Merrick, the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Read the full story on the Darden Report.
