Alumni Resources
Resources For Alumni
At the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), we help GW alumni stay connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and continue building on their GW journey outside of graduation.
Whether you’re building a new venture, seeking mentorship, or looking for funding and exposure, our programs and resources are designed to support you every step of the way.
Ways to Engage
Attend OIE Programs
Reconnect with OIE's innovation community and gain access to resources and opportunities by exploring our alumni eligible programs.
Join Mentor Community
Volunteer your expertise through customer interviews, judging, speaking, and mentoring teams as they grow their ventures.
Give Back
Support GWOIE by giving back. Your contribution helps expand programs and create opportunities that turn ideas into impact.
Available Programs
Alumni are eligible to participate in most OIE programs at no cost for up to two years after their graduation date. After this period, alumni may be required to meet additional eligibility criteria or pay a program fee.
For more information, please contact us at innovate
gwu [dot] edu (innovate[at]gwu[dot]edu).
- Mentorship
Get one-on-one guidance through mentorship at OIE through our Mentors-in-Residence (MIRs) program. Our mentors offer stage-specific support with office hours, check-ins, and milestone-based feedback.
Whether you’re exploring an idea or growing your venture, they’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence!
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- Innovator's Academy
A co-curricular, multi-level program that equips participants with the skills, mindset, and support to move from idea to implementation. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, participants earn recognition and unlock exclusive resources and opportunities across GW’s innovation ecosystem. This program helps refine your ideas, build confidence, and prepare for high-stakes opportunities like competitions, funding, and industry engagement.
Sessions are flexible and designed to fit your schedule so you can choose the path that works best for you.
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- New Venture Competition
The New Venture Competition (NVC) is GW’s largest annual showcase for student and alumni entrepreneurship, offering teams the chance to pitch their ideas, compete for significant funding, and connect with mentors, judges, and industry experts.
Open to all GW students, NVC provides hands-on experience in building and presenting a venture while preparing you for the real-world challenges of launching a startup.
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- Lean Startup Short Course
The Lean Startup Short Course is a virtual, three-week bootcamp that helps innovators test the real-world potential of their ideas. Through customer discovery, participants identify target segments, validate value propositions, and explore go-to-market strategies.
By engaging directly with potential customers, you’ll gain practical insights into their needs and learn how to shape your innovation into a viable solution.
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- NSF National I-Corps™ at GW
GW is a founding partner of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ program, a seven-week, hands-on training that helps innovators assess and advance the commercial viability of their deep-tech ideas.
GW has supported students, faculty, staff, alumni, and regional technology entrepreneurs through its leadership in the NSF Mid-Atlantic Hub.
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- Incubation at OIE
For GW alumni ready to take their ventures to the next level, our incubation program offers structured support focused on customer discovery, business model refinement, expert mentorship, and early-stage funding readiness.
Ideal for teams that have completed 20+ customer interviews, this milestone-driven phase provides targeted guidance, strategic feedback, and access to resources that accelerate progress toward commercialization and real-world impact.
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FAQ
- Can I still access OIE programs after graduation?
Yes! If you graduated within the last two years, you are welcome to participate in many of our programs under the Innovator’s Journey at no cost. Alumni beyond two years may still be eligible for select offerings but may need to meet specific criteria or pay a program fee.
To explore your options and learn more, please contact us at innovate
gwu [dot] edu (innovate[at]gwu[dot]edu).
- Is mentorship available for alumni founders?
Absolutely. Alumni can request 1:1 meetings with our Mentors-in-Residence and may also be eligible for milestone-based mentorship through our incubation program.
- Can alumni apply to the GW New Venture Competition (NVC)?
Yes, GW alumni may apply to the NVC as long as the team meets eligibility requirements outlined in the competition rules. Participation requires a GW-affiliated lead or partnership with a current GW student.
- Do I need to be located in Washington, D.C. to participate?
No - most OIE programs are hybrid or fully virtual, including workshops and mentorship. Alumni from anywhere in the world can engage with our office.
- How do I stay informed about alumni opportunities?
Subscribe to our OIE newsletter, follow us on social media (@gwinnovate), and make sure your contact info is up to date with GW Alumni Relations (Email Sean Farrel at sean [dot] farrell
email [dot] gwu [dot] edu). We regularly share event invites, news and founder spotlights.- Can I speak at or mentor in OIE programs as an alum?
Absolutely! We love engaging alumni as guest speakers, judges, and mentors across our programs. To get involved, join our mentor community here. Once you created a profile and attended the training, you’ll receive email updates with opportunities to contribute and share your expertise with the next generation of innovators.
- Does OIE provide funding to alumni ventures?
While OIE doesn’t offer direct funding, we connect alumni to valuable resources including pitch competitions, in-kind prizes and grant preparation support. Our mentors can help guide you through applying for SBIR/STTR grants and other early-stage funding opportunities.
- How do I know if I’m ready for incubation?
If you’ve completed at least 20 customer discovery interviews and are ready to validate your business model, develop a go-to-market plan, or seek funding, you’re likely a good fit. Reach out to schedule a discovery meeting with a mentor.