From prototype
to fundable.

No. You can apply as a startup team without a registered legal entity. What matters at the application stage is your prototype (TRL 6+), your team, and your market evidence. Company formation, founder agreements, and legal structuring are part of what the program's legal support helps you get right during the 24 weeks.

The program requires at least two committed co-founders with clear role allocation. If you're a solo founder with a strong technology, consider The Core's Venture Studio, which pairs technology with talent, capital, and operational support — or reach out to us to discuss team formation before applications close.

Technology Readiness Level 6 means your prototype has been demonstrated in a relevant environment — beyond lab conditions, close to real-world use. If you're earlier than that, the Accelerator isn't the right fit yet, but The Core's other programs can help you get there: the Venture Studio takes ideas to companies, and the Climatetech Bootcamp helps climate and clean-energy innovators explore and validate.

No. The program is open to Jordanian innovators and startup teams broadly, in addition to HTU students, faculty, staff, and alumni — whether you're spinning out university research or bringing an external breakthrough to market.

Seed funding is distributed at the start of Phase 2 (around Nov 30, 2026 for this cohort) to accelerate product development, run pilots, and support marketing. The exact amount and investment terms are shared with teams during the selection process, as they can vary by cohort and startup stage. Contact us at CIEE@htu.edu.jo if you'd like details before applying.

There is no participation fee. The Core invests in your startup with mentorship, legal support, capital readiness, and seed funding — your commitment is your team's full participation throughout the 24 weeks.

The program is delivered from the HTU campus in Amman, Jordan, and is designed around hands-on, in-person work with mentors, advisors, and the founder community. Teams should plan to be present in Amman for the core program activities throughout the 24 weeks.

The program requires commitment to full participation from the team throughout the 24 weeks. It is intensive by design — customer discovery, mentorship sessions, mock due diligence, and Demo Day preparation all demand real founder time. Teams where co-founders can't commit meaningful time consistently struggle to pass the Phase 1 gate.

Yes, Phase 2 entry is gated. To advance, your team must demonstrate validated product–market fit signals, a quantified value proposition, a clear TRL roadmap, and a complete Data Room v1. The gate exists to make sure seed capital goes to teams that are ready to use it well.

Graduating teams leave with validated use cases, early customers, and a complete due-diligence package. The Core continues to support alumni with warm introductions to VCs, angel networks, and strategic corporate investors, plus access to its partner ecosystem as you raise your Seed or Pre-Series A round.

The Accelerator is selective — the eligibility bar (TRL 6+, two committed co-founders, market evidence) is applied seriously. Applications close Aug 15, 2026, and shortlisted teams are contacted for evaluation before Phase 1 kicks off on Sep 1, 2026, so expect to hear from us within that window.

Yes. Applications run through our secure portal, where you can save your progress and continue later. Give yourself time before the Aug 15 deadline — the strongest applications show clear market evidence (LoIs, MoUs, or pilot discussions) and a well-articulated value proposition.