• Applications for the 2026 cohort are OPEN!

    Find out if the June 1–September 30 program is right for your startup. We’re looking for great companies to join a legacy of U-M alumni builders.

    Learn More

  • "The discipline, structure, and lifelong community from the University of Michigan’s Desai Accelerator were foundational to XRAY’s early success."

    Shams Juma, Founder
    XRAY Commerce (Desai 2024)

    Apply Now

  • Best. Summer. Ever.

    We are hiring ten U-M students for software, design, and business roles, and we welcome international applicants! Apply by February 1, 2026 for the 12-week summer internship.

    Apply to Internship

Startup Accelerator

Everything Michigan's ecosystem has to offer to scale from concept to market leader. You're not just joining an accelerator. You're joining a legacy of builders who transform industries.

Program Information
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Student Internships

Experience the intensity and innovation of startup culture. This isn't just an internship—it's an accelerated education in entrepreneurship.

Become a Desai Intern

The Desai Accelerator seeks exceptional founders who embody the Michigan spirit: ambitious vision, analytical rigor, and collaborative excellence.

We're looking for early-stage ventures ready for exponential growth.

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What you can expect:

  • $25,000 investment + hundreds of thousands in resources per startup

  • 10 U-M student interns who deliver 60-80 high-impact projects during the cohort.

  • The largest living alumni network in the world—630,000+ professionals across industries, providing mentorship, partnerships, and market access.

  • A systematic approach to venture creation that combines Silicon Valley best practices with Michigan academic rigor.

    • Market validation through academic research methodologies

    • Initial funding deployment and strategic planning

    • Weekly mentorship with serial entrepreneurs and ecosystem innovators

    • Access to Michigan's research facilities and labs

    • Partnership with student project teams for rapid development

Ventures in our portfolio include:

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Personalized swim workout app

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AI literature review for in vivo study design

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Publish content and get recommended by AI search

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AI smart copy and studio visuals for merchandisers

Let’s Stay in Touch

Where Vision Becomes Venture

Our portfolio companies represent the cutting edge of innovation, spanning industries from consumer technology to biotech breakthroughs. Each venture demonstrates the power of combining Michigan intellectual capital with entrepreneurial execution.

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