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Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Ethics

»Incubator and Accelerator Programs

Are You an Innovator? 

Do you love finding problems and coming up with creative solutions? Do you have an idea that could disrupt an industry or make an impact in your community? Whether you’re a student, faculty, staff member, Chapman alum — or a community founder based in Orange County or SoCal — the Leatherby Center offers programs to help you transform ideas into thriving businesses.

Incubator Programs 

The Leatherby Center supports startups at all stages and from all backgrounds — students, alumni, faculty, staff and community founders alike. We leverage our partnerships with 4th Sector Innovations and The WESEE Collective to help innovators explore their ideas and build viable ventures.

While we work across all industries, we have a special emphasis on scalable tech-ventures that shape the future of entertainment — drawing on Chapman’s #4 U.S. film school ranking, strong ties to Disney, and robust sports and entertainment curriculum. 

InterPhase Incubator - Discover Your Value 

This program is ideal for early-stage ideas. Whether you’re just starting out with a concept or ready to validate your direction, this cohort-based, rolling-application program helps you discover whether there’s a “there there” so you can move forward with confidence.

Instantaneous Accelerator – Grow Your Value 

Ready to scale? The Instantaneous Accelerator is designed for ventures (student, faculty, alumni or community) that have already demonstrated early traction or “economic oxygen.” It provides the tools, mentorship and network you need to validate key components and position for growth.

Get Started

Applications are open to founders from the Chapman community and the wider innovation ecosystem. Join us and amplify your idea!

Rolling applications are accepted and cohorts run multiple times per year based on demand.  

Join our Startup Incubator Program