Venture Devils
Who are Venture Devils?
All ASU-affiliated founders who are committed to commercializing an impactful new product or service by launching or growing a for-profit, more-than-profit, or non-profit enterprise are welcomed into the ASU Venture Devils family.
Student Founders
The Venture Devils program is available to new or existing startup teams that have at least one current ASU student as a key founder enrolled in at least one credit hour during the Fall A or B, Spring A or B, or Summer C sessions. This key founder may be an undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or part-time student enrolled in any ASU in-person or online program or course(s).
Faculty + Staff Founders
Venture Devils helps our faculty and staff founders stay connected and inspired via dedicated Venture Mentors and timely ASU E+I updates and information.
Community + Alumni Founders
Venture Devils also supports community-based entrepreneurs who apply and are accepted into the program, as well as those who are formally affiliated with an approved ASU community-focused venture development program. Learn more here.
How it Works
The Venture Devils Program aims to engage, mentor, and fund founders who are actively working toward problem-solution and product-market fit.
We formally engage and educate founders at all developmental levels and we track the go-to-market progress of their affiliated ventures.
We pair participant founders with a dedicated Venture Mentor who challenges the iterative advancement of the founder(s) and their affiliated venture(s).
We provide a formal process for participating founders and their affiliated ventures to be continuously evaluated and potentially pre-qualified for ASU Funding Network opportunities and additional support services, including dedicated workspace and other University resources.
Expectations
Throughout the rolling Venture Devils program, each founder is expected to demonstrate that they are able to:
Learn, synthesize, and share current methods, tactics, and strategies for launching and developing a new venture.
Iteratively develop and present an evidence-based pitch deck and an executive summary that incorporate “fact-based” and “data-driven” proof that is now required to ensure transparency, authenticity, and traction for today’s entrepreneurs.
Develop professional skills and habits as it relates to working with mentors, partners, and other key members of a venture development network.
Ready to Launch?
In order to become an ASU Venture Devil, you must apply. As one of the select ASU-affiliated startups within the Venture Devils program, you may be matched with a dedicated Venture Mentor and receive exclusive access to opportunities that will assist you in growing your new venture concept. Moreover, inclusion within the Venture Devils program will allow your startup to be continuously evaluated for potential funding opportunities and additional support services throughout the rolling program period.
After acceptance into Venture Devils, you will be encouraged to enroll in the Venture Devils online course. Enrollment is not required, but the class is designed to augment the dedicated mentorship that you will receive within the program. Additionally, since the course is totally online and asynchronous, it should not impact your current or planned class schedule. The coursework is based on proven startup methods and the class deliverables will help the Venture Mentors qualify your startup for additional funding and support.
You may preview the Venture Devils program overview here.
When can we start?
Venture Devils applications are accepted and processed five times per year, coinciding with the Fall A+B, Spring A+B, and Summer C session start dates.
Applications must be submitted exactly one week before classes begin for any given Fall A+B, Spring A+B, and Summer C session in which you aim to participate. This application deadline cycle is essential to ensure we are able to review your application information and match you with an appropriate Venture Mentor and Funding Network track prior to the start of the session.
See the ASU Academic Calendar for future Fall A+B, Spring A+B, and Summer C start dates and be sure to apply at least one week prior.
Here's how to apply:
1. Register your co-founders in SunDevilSync
All founding team members must register or update their personal profiles.
2. Register your venture
The lead co-founder must register the venture on behalf of all co-founders.
3. Complete all venture profile questions
Reference this step-by-step tutorial to help guide you through the Venture Devils application process.
All founders accepted into Venture Devils will be invited to attend a cohort Orientation during the first week of the Fall A+B, Spring A+B, and Summer C sessions.