Everything you need to know about the TNT Accelerator
TNT is a startup accelerator for founders who are already building or are committed to going full-time on their companies. We select teams each semester from hundreds of applicants and provide over $300K in infrastructure credits and resources per team.
TNT is the only accelerator that brings together founders from both MIT and Harvard in the same cohort. We are founder-friendly, provide over $300K in infrastructure credits from partners like Anthropic, Google, AWS, and Nvidia, and match each team with dedicated mentors who are founders, operators, and investors. We select the top 10% of applicants — exceptional founders committed to building venture-scale businesses.
TNT is not officially affiliated with or endorsed by MIT or Harvard. We are an independent organization founded and run by students and alumni from both schools. We operate within the broader MIT and Harvard startup ecosystem and work alongside many of the programs and resources at both universities.
TNT runs one cohort per semester during the academic year. The Spring 2026 cohort runs from March 6 through the end of May.
Spring 2026 is our third cohort. Our first cohort's teams have collectively raised over $20M in venture funding.
We accept startups each cohort from MIT and Harvard.
TNT's program is supported by sponsors and partners. Contact us for current terms.
Each team receives:
We look for exceptional founders who are committed to building venture-scale businesses and serious about going full-time on their companies. Most teams we accept are already building, but we will take earlier-stage founders if the team is truly outstanding. What matters most is conviction and commitment, not stage.
The program runs alongside the academic semester. We have weekly build nights, accountability sessions, check-ins, speaker events, and mentorship. We expect founders to treat their startup as a priority, not a side project.
Current students and recent alumni (within one year of graduation) from MIT and Harvard are eligible. Teams can include co-founders from outside MIT and Harvard, and we also accept exceptional teams from other schools on a selective basis.
Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are now closed. Check back for future cohort announcements.
The application includes basic information about your team and your idea. Shortlisted candidates are invited for a brief interview. We look for strong founders first, with the understanding that ideas evolve.
Yes. We accept both solo founders and teams.
Yes. Many of our founders participate in other programs at MIT and Harvard alongside TNT. We see ourselves as complementary to the broader ecosystem.
TNT is for founders who are past the exploration phase and serious about building a venture-scale company. Most applicants already have a product or prototype and are preparing to raise. Many come to TNT after participating in other programs and are ready for dedicated mentors, $300K+ in infrastructure, and direct access to investors. TNT is focused on MIT and Harvard founders but open to exceptional founders outside the MIT/Harvard ecosystem.
Demo Day is the culmination of each cohort. Teams pitch to a curated audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, and the broader Boston startup community. It is a showcase of what each team has built over the semester.
Our first cohort teams have collectively raised over $20M in venture funding. Teams have gone on to secure enterprise customers, raise from top-tier investors, and continue building with the support of the TNT network.
Not yet, but you should be serious about it. Most of our teams are raising or preparing to raise during or shortly after the program. We help with that process through mentorship, investor introductions, and pitch preparation.
TNT founders remain part of the community permanently. Alumni have access to ongoing mentorship, investor introductions, the TNT network, and future events. We also connect alumni with resources and opportunities as they continue to grow.
We host founders, executives, and investors for candid conversations about building startups. Past speakers have included leaders from top companies and venture firms. These sessions are open to the TNT community.
We welcome MIT and Harvard students as TNT Fellows who help support the program and the founder community. We also work with mentors and partners. Visit tnt.so to learn more about each role.