Program Details

The Program

A structured, mentor-guided accelerator designed to take student startups from raw idea to investor-ready pitch.

Overview

What Is ZinnStarter?

ZinnStarter is a student startup accelerator run by the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship (SVCE) at San José State University. It was founded and is funded by Ray Zinn, the former CEO of Micrel Semiconductor and one of Silicon Valley's longest-serving CEOs of a publicly traded company.

The program selects approximately ten student-led startup teams per year and runs them through a semester-long cohort experience. Teams receive seed funding, a dedicated mentor, structured curriculum sessions, and the opportunity to pitch at a formal final showcase — attended in person by Ray Zinn.

Any SJSU student can apply, at any stage of their startup. We consider passion, how thoroughly teams have thought through their idea, quality of background research, presentation skills, and overall team commitment.

Dr. Anuradha Basu

Program Director

Dr. Anuradha Basu
Program Director, Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship, SJSU

Sriram Sridhar

Program Manager

Sriram Sridhar
sriram.sridhar@sjsu.edu
Include "ZinnStarter" in your subject line

Applications & Deadlines

Keep an eye out — application dates and deadlines for the Fall 2026 semester will be posted here and on the official program page soon.

sjsu.edu/svce/programs/zinnstarter.php ↗

Structure

How the Program Works

A semester-long cohort with a clear structure so you always know what to expect.

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Bi-Weekly Sessions

Sessions meet once every two weeks throughout the semester. The hybrid format mixes in-person and Zoom meetings. Attendance is required — it is a condition of receiving your funding.

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Dedicated Mentor

Every team is matched with a mentor from the Silicon Valley business community. Your mentor works with you one-on-one throughout the program, guiding strategy, feedback, and preparation.

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Funding on Completion

Teams that fulfill all program requirements receive up to $2,000 in seed funding. The cohort distributes up to $20,000 total across approximately ten teams.

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Deliverables

Throughout the program, teams upload required deliverables tied to each session topic. These keep you on track and serve as building blocks toward your final presentation.

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Business Plan Competition

Participation in a business plan competition is required as part of the program. This is a real external milestone that pushes teams to sharpen their thinking before the final showcase.

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Final Showcase

The program culminates in a formal pitch showcase. Business formal attire is required — this matters to Ray Zinn personally. He attends every year and meets with each graduating team.

Curriculum

What You Will Cover

Each session builds on the last, guiding your team from a clear problem statement all the way to a polished, investor-ready presentation.

  1. Problem Statement

    Define the real problem your startup is solving and articulate it clearly.

  2. Solution

    Describe your solution, how it works, and why it is the right approach.

  3. Market Research

    Understand your market size, competitive landscape, and key trends.

  4. Customer Profile & Segmentation

    Identify who your customers are, what they need, and how to reach them.

  5. Go-to-Market Strategy

    Map out how you will acquire customers and grow your user base.

  6. Business Model

    Define how your company makes money and what your unit economics look like.

  7. Elevator Pitches

    Practice delivering a compelling, concise pitch in 90 seconds.

  8. Investor-Ready Final Presentations

    Build and present a full-length investor deck at the final showcase.

ZinnStarter 2025–26 cohort with Ray Zinn at SVCE IDEA Lab
2025–26 Cohort

"Entrepreneurial discipline turns hurdles into exciting challenges, and no hurdle appears too high."

— Ray Zinn, Founder of ZinnStarter

Note on Business Formal

The Final Showcase requires business formal attire. This is important to Ray Zinn personally and reflects the professionalism expected of ZinnStarter graduates.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply

ZinnStarter is open to SJSU student teams at any stage. Here is what you need to know before applying:

  • At least one current SJSU student must be on the team
  • Projects at any stage are considered — idea, prototype, or early traction
  • Teams must not have received more than $100,000 in external funding
  • Exceptional cases outside these criteria may be considered at the program's discretion

Not Sure If You Qualify?

Reach out to Sriram at sriram.sridhar@sjsu.edu with "ZinnStarter" in the subject. Exceptional circumstances are always considered.

Selection Criteria

What We Look For

Selection goes through applications, interviews, and a final decision. We evaluate teams on:

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Passion

Genuine belief in the problem you are solving and commitment to seeing it through.

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Depth of Thinking

How thoroughly you have thought through your idea, including what might go wrong.

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Background Research

Evidence that you have studied your market, competitors, and customers.

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Presentation Style

Clear, confident communication — we evaluate how well you can tell your startup's story.

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Team Commitment

Cohesive, dedicated team that will fully engage with the program requirements.

Funding Requirements

What You Must Do to Receive Funding

Acceptance into ZinnStarter does not automatically result in funding. To receive your grant of up to $2,000, every team member must fulfill all five requirements:

  1. Attend Every Accelerator Session

    Full attendance is expected. Exceptions may be made for genuine special circumstances — communicate early with the program manager.

  2. Upload All Required Deliverables On Time

    Each session has associated deliverables. Submit them by the stated deadline.

  3. Participate in a Business Plan Competition

    Every team must enter and participate in an approved business plan competition during the program.

  4. Complete the Program Feedback Form

    Your honest feedback helps improve the program for future cohorts.

  5. Record a Video Testimonial for Ray Zinn

    Each team records a short video testimonial at the end of the program. These are shared directly with Ray Zinn.

Apply Today

Ready to Build Something Real?

Visit the official SJSU program page for current application deadlines and to submit your application.

Apply on the SJSU Website