In the fall of 2017, CEI set out on an unprecedented mission: to launch one business led by students from Maricopa Community College. While we’ve had our fair share of success with incubating Arizona biomedical, technology, sustainability, and life science startups, we have always focused on supporting businesses from outside the community college district. But over the years, it’s become increasingly clear that many of the college students who are here furthering their education are doing so because they dream of eventually launching their own business.

CEI strives to support Arizona startups so that they can create future jobs and strengthen our local economy. But you’d be surprised to learn how many international entrepreneurs have made the decision to call the Phoenix Valley home! With founders from France, Germany, India and more, CEI is proud to serve as a melting pot for innovative ideas that come from all over the globe.

We’ve discovered that entrepreneurs need access to people with different perspectives to solve today’s toughest problems. That’s why we jumped at the opportunity to host YTILI Fellows for two weeks!

So your startup has decided joined a business incubator or accelerator. You were sold on the benefits and resources it could provide, and you are excited about taking your company or idea to the next level. Now what? How do you maximize your time in the program to ensure a positive experience? Believe it or not, a lot of entrepreneurs do not know how to best engage with their incubator or accelerator; with that in mind, we present our list of ways to operate inside these valuable entrepreneurial support organizations.