Can I Bring My Own Idea to the Bootcamp? Are MIT Bootcamps Programs Incubators or Accelerators? Can I Find Investors?

MIT Bootcamps at Open Learning offers educational experiences: Bootcamp Programs. Our programs are not accelerators or incubators—they do not offer opportunities to secure investors during the program.

During an MIT Bootcamps program, participants are assigned to small teams, which work together over the course of the program to develop a theoretical new venture. Participants are not required to bring their own business idea to the Bootcamp—but they may do so if they wish.

If you do bring a pre-existing business idea to a Bootcamp, it is very possible that your idea will not be chosen by your group. There is no guarantee that you will be able to develop a personal idea at the Bootcamp.

At the end of the Bootcamps program, each team will "pitch" the new venture they have developed to a panel of expert judges. These judges will offer educational feedback. They do not offer opportunities to secure investors.

If you are looking for an accelerator or incubator program, please feel free to search for other departments and programs at MIT. Other groups at MIT offer various types of programs that may include the word "Bootcamp" in the title and which may serve as more of an accelerator or incubator, and/or offer opportunities to secure investors. Unfortunately, MIT Bootcamps is not able to offer advice or support regarding programs offered by other groups at MIT or elsewhere, and we are not able to offer recommendations.