What is The Starting Block?
“I have an idea, but I don’t know where to begin.”
The Starting Block is the Venture Hub’s signature entry-level program designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to bring their big ideas to life. Whether you’re a student, alum, or community member with a dream to launch your first venture, this is where your journey begins.

Over the course of this immersive program, participants will:

• Clarify their business idea and value proposition
• Learn foundational principles of entrepreneurship and startup strategy
• Define their target audience and build a customer discovery plan
• Develop a simple financial model and business roadmap
• Pitch their concept for initial feedback from mentors and peers

With hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and peer collaboration, The Starting Block equips aspiring founders with the mindset, tools, and confidence to take the next step toward building a viable, scalable business.

Turning ideas into action.
“I’ve shaped my idea—now I’m ready to build and test it.”
Launch Lab is the Venture Hub’s hands-on business incubator designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs test, validate, and launch their ideas in a supportive, real-world environment. Whether you’re refining a concept, developing a prototype, or preparing for market entry, Launch Lab provides the structure, tools, and guidance to move you from idea to execution.

What Launch Lab Offers:

• Business Model Development: Learn how to build a lean, scalable model using real data and customer feedback.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Gain access to experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and faculty advisors.
• Customer Discovery: Conduct real-world validation to identify your audience and refine your value proposition.
• Workspace & Resources: Use the Venture Hub’s collaborative space, tools, and support systems.
• Pitch Readiness: Craft your pitch and receive feedback in preparation for funding, competitions, or investor meetings.

Launch Lab is for students, alumni, and community entrepreneurs ready to move past the idea stage and into the business-building phase. It’s not just a program—it’s a proving ground for innovation.

Juggernaut Week is a high-impact, immersive boot camp hosted by the Venture Hub at Alabama A&M University. Designed to push
aspiring entrepreneurs beyond their comfort zones, this week-long experience focuses on building the mindset, resilience, and
leadership skills needed to thrive in the world of business and innovation.


What It Is:
A transformative, full-throttle week of intensive workshops, team challenges, expert coaching, and personal development that
prepares participants not just to launch businesses—but to lead them with confidence and purpose.


Key Focus Areas:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Learn how to think creatively, act decisively, and solve problems like a founder.
• Leadership & Resilience: Develop grit, discipline, and emotional intelligence to navigate real-world challenges.
• Personal Branding: Define your identity as a leader and entrepreneur in a crowded marketplace.
• Wellness & Balance: Learn how to sustain your energy, vision, and mental focus while building a business.

Who It’s For:

• Students, alumni, and community members who are ready to level up personally and professionally.
• Early-stage entrepreneurs seeking confidence, clarity, and momentum.
• Founders preparing to pitch, scale, or lead a team.

Why It’s Called “Juggernaut”
Because it’s built to transform participants into unstoppable forces—ready to lead ventures, take on risk, and create impact.

The STEMpreneur Accelerator is a fast-paced, high-impact program at the Venture Hub designed to help entrepreneurs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields rapidly grow their startups, secure funding, and bring tech-enabled solutions to market.

What It Is:
A specialized accelerator program for student, alumni, and community entrepreneurs who are building STEM-based businesses—from apps and biotech to clean energy, robotics, agtech, and more.

Key Features:

• Tech-Focused Curriculum: Learn how to commercialize STEM innovations and build scalable, fundable ventures.
• Mentorship from STEM Experts & Founders: One-on-one coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors.
• Investor & Grant Access: Get pitch-ready and connect with funding sources, including VC, angel investors, SBIR/STTR grants, and STEM-focused accelerators.
• Prototype Development: Support with MVPs, product design, user testing, and early-stage validation.
• Customer Discovery: Learn to identify real-world STEM problems and build solutions people will pay for.
• Demo Day: Culminates with a public pitch event for funders, partners, and the AAMU innovation community.

Who It’s For:

• • Innovators in tech, engineering, biotech, AI, agriculture, environmental science, or similar fields
  • Student researchers with commercial potential
  • Community founders with early-stage STEM ventures
  • Alumni working on STEM-focused startups