Apply to the Hatchery

Are you a University of Maryland student with a fearless idea or startup in need of seed funding and exclusive access to entrepreneurial mentorship and resources? The Mokhtarzada Hatchery might be for you!

Benefits of Joining the Hatchery

  • Receive intensive and customized coaching and mentoring—we meet you where you are and help you accelerate your startup’s progress

  • Broaden your professional network by connecting with speakers, mentors, and advisors drawn from leaders in the Washington, D.C. startup ecosystem

  • Learn from your peers in the cohort and build lasting relationships

  • Access to a dedicated 24/7 working space in the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering

  • Up to $10,000 funding per team per year

Eligibility Requirements

  • Each team must include at least two members and no more than four members.

  • At least one team member must be a current degree-seeking student at the University of Maryland. The other team members can be current students or students who graduated from UMD the spring before the team applies to the Hatchery.

  • There are no restrictions on whether a team has other funding when joining the Hatchery.

  • Team members from past years may reapply.

  • Preference will be given to technology companies.

Application Process

Each team fills out one online application outlining details about:

  • their team

  • their idea

  • the problem they are trying to solve

  • how they were inspired to solve this problem

  • their proposed solution

  • how they believe this solution might support a sustainable, stand-alone business

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The application for the Fall 2024 Mokhtarzada Hatchery Cohort has closed! Check back in Fall 2025 for the next round of applications.