B-Lab is Brown University’s premier 8-week summer accelerator for Brown and RISD students building high-impact ventures.

B-Lab is a natural extension of Brown’s creative, problem-solving spirit. Each summer, we bring together student founders ready to tackle real-world challenges. Through mentorship, funding, and hands-on support, B-Lab helps turn early-stage concepts into high impact ventures ready for national accelerators, investment, or next-stage growth.

B-Lab is designed to help you gain traction, test ideas, and grow with intention. It’s a full-time, immersive experience where founders build momentum with the right resources, mentorship, and community behind them.

Here’s what we provide:

Collaborative Workspace & Community

Work alongside fellow founders in a shared space and be part of a supportive cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs.

Funding Support                 

Receive a $4,000 Scholarly Fellowship Award plus Summer Earnings Waiver (SEW) support for eligible Brown students.

Targeted Mentorship & Workshops

Weekly programming, sector-specific sessions, and guidance from experienced founders and industry experts.

Access to the Brown Ecosystem

Connections to alumni, partners, and resources that extend far beyond the summer.

This is your chance to focus, grow, and make real progress—with the full backing of the Nelson Center and a network that wants you to succeed.

B-Lab is more than an accelerator—it’s an educational launchpad. As part of Brown University, we empower students to build high-impact ventures and grow as entrepreneurial thinkers. Our alumni have even gone on to being accepted into top national accelerator programs such as MassChallenge and Techstars, among others.

Formally

B-Lab Cohort: 2018

Founder: Amélie-Sophie Vavrovsky ’18

Formally simplifies legal processes and increases access to justice by helping users easily hire and work with attorneys. The platform is designed to make complex legal workflows more accessible, intuitive, and equitable.

After B-Lab: 

• Placed 1st in 2019 BVP
• Raised a $3.3M pre-seed round led by Bessemer Venture Partners
• 2023 featured Forbes 30 under 30: Social Impact

Liberare

B-Lab Cohort: 2018

Founder: Emma Butler ‘20

Liberare creates easy-on magnetic front-closure bras to help women get dressed independently. For women post-surgery, with arthritis, or a disability, putting on your bra never has to be a struggle again.

After B-Lab: 

• Placed second in 2020 BVP
• Raised $1.2M in funding
• Sold at Victoria’s Secret, Aerie, Nordstrom, and QVC
• 2024 featured Forbes 30 under 30: Retail & Ecommerce

IntusCare

B-Lab Cohort: 2019

Founders: Robbie Felton ’21, Evan Jackson ’21, and Alexander Rothberg ’21

IntusCare is a healthcare analytics platform designed for long-term care facilities. By predicting which patients are most at risk, the platform enables more personalized and timely care—while also reducing caregiver burnout.

After B-Lab: 

• Placed 1st in 2020 BVP
• Raised over $27M in funding
• Works with 70+ PACE programs across 18 states
• 2024 featured Forbes 30 under 30: Healthcare

MediCircle

B-Lab Cohort: 2020

Founders: Jack Schaeffer ‘22 and Eliza Sternlicht ‘22

MediCircle reclaims unused medications, recertifies their quality using a patented process, and matches the medication to patients. Patients receive their medication or free and insurance companies save on their largest drug costs. 

After B-Lab: 

• Placed 1st in 2021 BVP
• Raised $2.3M in funding
• Over $20M worth of medication reclaimed
• Signed seven large national clients including VillageMD

Inspired by what you have seen? If you feel ready to take the next step and bring your venture to life, here is what we look for in B-Lab applicants—and how to apply.

Program Expectations

B-Lab is a full-time, immersive program. We expect founders to:

• Commit full-time to their venture for the full 8-week program
• Actively participate in all B-Lab programming, including the 2-week opening boot camp, mentor meetings, and special events
• Be based in Providence in person for the duration of the program — no exceptions!
• Give and receive feedback as part of a collaborative peer community
• Make B-Lab your primary commitment during the summer—other intensive programs (like UTRAs, RAships, courses, or outside accelerators) are not compatible with the time and focus required

We’ll make sure you have fun outside program hours, but during the day, your venture is the main event.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for founders who:

• Understand the problem they aim to solve and have a clear vision for impact.
• Have a proposed solution—even if it’s early—and measurable goals for the 8-week program.
• Initiative, demonstrated through bottom-up research or minimal viable product (MVP) development.
• Grit and resilience to navigate pivots, setbacks, and ambiguity.

We believe great entrepreneurs come from all backgrounds and pursue all kinds of ideas. There is no preferred market, industry, or venture model—we want you to bring your vision.

Who Can Apply

• Currently enrolled full-time Brown or RISD undergraduates, graduate students, or medical students are eligible for B-Lab and the $4,000 scholarly award
• Graduating seniors (May or December) are also eligible
• International students are welcome to apply. Please see the FAQ section below for important details on eligibility and visa requirements.

NOTE: Brown/RISD alumni and non-Brown/RISD students may apply and participate in B-Lab, but are not eligible for the scholarly award.

We put together a resource guide to help you through the process, including what we are looking for when it comes to making your 2-minute B-Lab video and 3-minute BVP video.