The Core Accelerator
A rigorous path to fundable, scalable companies.
HTU's flagship deep tech acceleration program. The new, non-conventional business school where we do not teach theory; we support outstanding startups to disrupt and impact industries.
Why join The Core?
Most accelerators give you a desk and a demo day. The Core gives you everything in between.
Real experience. Zero textbook theory. You work directly with successful founders, active VCs, and industry executives. Every week is designed around one question: how do we get you closer to being fundable?
What you get
Systematic Mentorship & Coaching
Paired with industry experts and successful founders who have built and scaled companies before.
Legal Services
IP development, founder agreements, compliance support, and legal strategy.
Capital Readiness
Investor strategy, data room preparation, mock due diligence, and term sheet simulations to make you investor-ready.
Business Development
Marketing strategy, corporate pilot opportunities, and commercial development with industry partners.
Follow-on Funding & Investor Access
Warm introductions to VCs, angel networks, and strategic corporate investors after the program.
The end state
Fundable companies with validated use cases, early customers, a complete due diligence package, and a repeatable path to scale.
Who is this for?
Deep tech innovators ready to scale: teams in AI, biotech, robotics, clean energy, edtech, fintech, advanced engineering, advanced materials, climate tech, and related fields.
We are scouting for
- Startups with a working prototype at TRL 6+ and a path to 7+.
- A clear commercialization path with a defined market, go-to-market, and revenue model.
- A committed team that can dedicate time and energy throughout the program.
Eligible participants
- Jordanian innovators and deep tech teams.
- HTU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Whether you are spinning out university research or bringing an external breakthrough to market, The Core is built for you.
Program structure: two phases over 24 weeks
Each phase meets you where you are and pushes you to the next milestone, from validation gaps to investment readiness.
Pre-Acceleration
Filling the gaps in validation.
Customer Discovery & Validation
Confirm your Ideal Customer Profile and refine problem to solution fit. Build conviction from real conversations, not assumptions.
Team Formation & Alignment
Formalize your team charter, define roles, and resolve co-founder dynamics early. We help fill gaps through matchmaking with CTOs, CPOs, and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
Business Model Sharpening
Move from a rough revenue model to a quantified value proposition. Define pricing logic, map go-to-market channels, and build the commercial narrative investors want to hear.
Market Proof Points
Secure Letters of Intent or Memorandums of Understanding with potential customers or partners, proof points that signal real market pull.
Pitch Development
Build a pitch deck that tells your story with clarity and data. Present, get torn apart by mentors, rebuild, and present again until the narrative is bulletproof.
Gate to Phase 2
To advance and receive seed funding, teams must show validated product to market fit signals, a quantified value proposition, a clear TRL roadmap, and a complete Data Room v1. Only those who have earned it pass.
The Core Accelerator
Receive seed funding to accelerate growth and scale.
Seed Funding
Capital to accelerate product development, run pilots, and support marketing.
Dedicated Mentors
A lead mentor matched to your domain and stage, plus a broader network of technical and business advisors.
Legal & IP Support
Hands-on counsel for contracts, IP filings, regulatory compliance, and founder agreements.
Investor Preparation
Data room buildout, narrative coaching, mock due diligence with real investors, and term sheet literacy.
Commercial Partnerships
Introductions to corporate partners for pilots, co-development, and early revenue.
Demo Day
A showcase in front of a curated audience of VCs, angels, corporate partners, and government stakeholders.
After the program
Graduation is the beginning. Alumni keep warm investor and corporate introductions, mentor office hours, and community support as they close rounds and scale.
2026 timeline
Eligibility criteria
Confirm your team meets all four categories. You will review and accept these in the first step of the application.
Real innovation
- A validated prototype at Technology Readiness Level 6 or above, tested in a relevant environment.
- A clear roadmap toward TRL 7+ and commercial deployment.
- A defensible technological advantage through IP, proprietary know-how, or a strong research base.
Committed experts
- At least two committed co-founders.
- Strong technical capability relevant to your domain.
- Clear role allocation and a defined decision-making structure.
- Commitment to full participation throughout the 24-week program.
Proof of need
- A clearly defined problem statement and target customer segment.
- Evidence of market validation through LoIs, MoUs, or pilot discussions.
- A quantified value proposition and a credible commercialization pathway.
- A viable business model with a credible path to revenue.
Investment ready
- Strong potential to raise Seed or Pre-Series A funding.
- Willingness to build a structured data room and a compelling investor narrative.
- Participation in mock due diligence and term sheet simulations.
- Commitment to KPI tracking, mentorship, and Demo Day.
The full eligibility gate and application are handled in our secure portal. You can save your progress and continue later.
Check your eligibility and applyReady to build something that matters?
Applications for the next Accelerator cohort open April 15, 2026.