NextGen AI Builders 2026: 10-week Startup Incubation Program + Demo Day

The NextGen AI Builders Program is a 10-week hands-on incubation experience designed to help students turn ideas into real startups powered by artificial intelligence.
Hosted by Junior Entrepreneurs Hub in partnership with The ThinkTank VC in Menlo Park, this program brings together students, mentors, and Silicon Valley experts to build, design, and launch AI-driven solutions that address real-world challenges.

Program Overview

• Duration: 10 Weeks (January 7 – March 10, 2026)

• Format: 1 Session per Week (2 Hours)

• Location: The ThinkTank VC, Menlo Park | On campus (if available – check with your school)

• Each Cohort Size: 25 Students

Students work in teams, receive personalized mentorship, and learn to use AI tools, no-code platforms, and startup frameworks to bring their ideas to life. Each cohort concludes with a Demo Day, where teams pitch their AI-powered startups to investors, mentors, and university representatives.

What Students Learn

Students go beyond theory to gain real-world startup experience through:

• Understanding how AI works and how to apply it to solve real problems

• Using AI tools for market research, product design, and MVP development

• Exploring entrepreneurship fundamentals — market validation, business model design, and pitching

• Developing team collaboration, communication, and leadership skills

• Preparing for future careers with certificates, recommendation letters, and mentor connections

Mentorship & Network

Participants receive guidance from:

• Silicon Valley founders and investors

• Professors and innovation leaders from Stanford, Berkeley, and top universities

• Partners and mentors from global startup organizations like Startup Grind, 500 Incubator, and Founders Institute

Demo Day at The ThinkTank VC

The program concludes with a Demo Day hosted at The ThinkTank VC Venture Hub in Menlo Park.
Teams present their startups to a live audience of investors, engineers, professors, and tech leaders — gaining exposure, feedback, and recognition for their work.
Outstanding teams receive awards, certificates, and recommendation letters from The ThinkTank VC and program mentors.

Why It Matters

In a world reshaped by AI, most students don’t know if the professions they’re pursuing today will exist tomorrow. NextGen AI Builders helps bridge that gap — equipping students with the skills, mindset, and network to thrive in an AI-powered economy.
This is where education meets innovation, and where the next generation of founders begins their journey.