MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program
Higher EducationMassachusetts, United States51-200 Employees
Launched in 2016, the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program supports MIT student innovators with seed funding, mentorship, and customized entrepreneurship education. It underpins MIT's entrepreneurial ecosystem and each year exposes hundreds of undergraduates, master's students, and PhD candidates to hands-on entrepreneurship. The program accepts teams at all stages of development, prioritizing commitment to their idea and a willingness to undertake initial research and planning. Participants typically spend 12 to 18 months in the Sandbox, drawing on experienced mentors and up to $25,000 in non-dilutive funding to advance toward viable startups. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the program sits within MIT's higher education environment. Its aim is to enable any MIT student with an innovative solution to learn entrepreneurship and gain practical experience through a structured process of strategizing, experimentation, and growth.