MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program

Launched in 2016, the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program provides seed funding, mentorship, and tailored entrepreneurship education that empowers MIT student innovators to explore, take risks, and prepare to launch. The goal of the program is to enable any MIT student — inspired to solve a problem with an innovative solution — to learn and experience entrepreneurship. MIT Sandbox is the foundation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at MIT. Each year, the program opens the door to entrepreneurship for hundreds of undergraduate students, master’s students, and PhDs and provides a launchpad where they can strategize, experiment, and grow. The program is not a competition. MIT Sandbox accepts teams at all stages of the start-up process who demonstrate a commitment to their idea and a willingness to invest in initial research and planning. Many teams spend 12-18 months in the Sandbox developing into viable startups by leveraging guidance from experienced mentors, insights from startup-related experts, and up to $25K in non-dilutive, cumulative funding. It is a learning experience for all and a life-altering experience for many.