Call for Applications: Carnegie Mellon Foundry F26 Startup Accelerator
Applications are now open for the Foundry F26 Startup Accelerator, a Fall 2026 programme designed to support ambitious student founders who are already building scalable, revenue-focused startups.
The accelerator is operated by ScottyLabs at Carnegie Mellon University and is aimed at founders who have moved beyond the idea stage and can demonstrate meaningful progress through product development, testing, validation or early traction.
About the Foundry F26 Accelerator
Foundry is an industry-agnostic startup accelerator that welcomes ventures working across areas such as software, hardware, healthcare and other technology-driven sectors.
Rather than focusing on early ideas alone, the programme is intended for founders who are actively building their companies and working toward venture-scale growth.
Only seven teams are expected to be selected for the F26 cohort, making the programme highly competitive. Applications and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis, so prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early.
What Founders Get
One of the major attractions of the programme is its founder-friendly structure:
- 0% equity taken from participating startups
- A focused environment for building and scaling a startup
- Access to a community of ambitious founders
- Support for startup execution and venture development
- Opportunity to work alongside other student entrepreneurs
- Exposure to an ecosystem connected to Carnegie Mellon University’s entrepreneurship community
Foundry-affiliated startups have reportedly raised more than $11 million collectively, highlighting the track record of ventures associated with the programme.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is particularly suited to founders who:
- Are actively building a startup.
- Have progressed beyond the idea stage.
- Are developing a venture-scale, revenue-generating business.
- Can demonstrate product development, testing, market validation or other meaningful progress.
- Have strong growth potential.
- Can commit at least 30 hours per week to their startup.
The programme is open to startups across different industries, provided they demonstrate the potential to become scalable businesses.
Why Apply?
For student founders who are already turning their ideas into functioning businesses, Foundry F26 offers an opportunity to accelerate growth without giving up ownership of their companies.
The programme’s zero-equity model, small cohort size, and emphasis on execution make it particularly attractive to founders ready to devote substantial time to building their ventures.
Application Deadline
September 10, 2026
Applications and interviews are reviewed on a rolling basis, so founders are advised not to wait until the deadline to apply.
Note: Foundry F26 should not be confused with Carnegie Mellon’s VentureBridge accelerator. VentureBridge is a separate CMU programme with its own eligibility requirements, including a CMU-affiliated full-time founder and a U.S.-incorporated startup; its 2026 application cycle has already closed.
How to Apply
Interested founders should submit their applications through the Foundry F26 application platform before the September 10 deadline. Given the rolling review process, early applications are encouraged.
Carnegie Mellon University – Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
