Exit to Win Accelerator

If you are an entrepreneur with a revenue-generating tech company, consumer products company, or other growth-oriented business, this program is for you.

Application deadline is August 1

Attention Growth Entrepreneurs

Apply to the only 6-week virtual accelerator 100% focused on exit strategy.

Exit to Win – powered by Rutgers Business School’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CUEED) – equips revenue-generating companies with resources to craft an investor-credible exit strategy, including:  

  • Virtual training

  • Best-in-class financial and strategy tools

  • 1-1 mentorship

  • Networking

  • Opportunity for non-dilutive capital

If you’re seeking investment, your business and financial plan must include a credible exit strategy.

Why? Investors only get their money back when there’s a liquidity event or exit. Even the most patient capital wants to know when, how, and how likely they are to see a return.

That’s where Exit to Win comes in.

Our 6-week program helps entrepreneurs close this critical gap — turning exit hopes into clear, actionable strategies investors trust and founders can deliver.

  • How investors evaluate exit strategies

  • Credible valuations

  • Exit strategy design

  • Financial plans with exit goal alignment

  • Business milestones setting

  • Exit strategy presentation with opportunity for non-dilutive capital

Take Your First Step to Exit

Application deadline is August 1

 FAQs

  • $300

  • Eligible entrepreneurs must meet all or most of this criteria:

    • Actively raising equity capital or preparing to raise next round of equity capital

    • Revenue generating

    • Pitch deck, proforma, term sheets, and other core materials are already in place

    • Product-market fit has been established (MVP in market and / or some revenue at minimum)

    • Growth or technology businesses (no Main Street or professional services businesses)

  • This is not a “one shot” program. Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED) is committed to helping the entrepreneurs over their multiple years and phases of growth – including opportunities with the Urban Entrepreneurs Fund which makes equity investments in growth companies.

  • It begins September 4, 2025 and completes on October 21, 2025.  

  • It’s a virtual program held over Zoom.

  • It is 6 weeks or programming with a final presentation on October 20, and a follow-on summit on October 21.

  • We have a robust set of topics that include instruction, application, and 1-1 mentorship. These include:

    • How investors evaluate exit strategies

    • Credible valuations

    • Exit strategy design

    • Financial plans with exit goal alignment

    • Business milestones setting

    • Exit strategy presentation with opportunity for non-dilutive capital

  • Mentors will assist with the financial and strategy planning tools, and provide time, counsel, and connections.

The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship
& Economic Development (CUEED)

CUEED at Rutgers University is a world-class research-driven teaching and practitioner-oriented entrepreneurship and economic development program committed to catalyzing the economy of the city of Newark (NJ), and other urban centers; creating wealth and jobs; being a model for all urban universities.

Since 2009, CUEED has worked across constituencies to create new knowledge, tools and vehicles that build diverse entrepreneurs and thriving urban communities. CUEED has strengthened 600+ businesses (62% Black or Latinx and 65% women).