ZinnStarter

ZinnStarter 2025

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About The Zinnstarter Program

This year, we will select around 10 student-led startups to distribute $20,000 donated by Ray Zinn, former CEO of Micrel. The ZinnStarter Fellows are selected after a series of applications, interviews, and a trial period.

After becoming a ZinnStarter Fellow, each team is provided with funding (amount determined after teams are assessed), a dedicated mentor, and will be required to attend bi-weekly accelerator meetings. To receive funding, every ZinnStarter Fellow MUST participate in our bi-weekly accelerator meetings.

Students selected for the program are strongly encouraged to enter future business plan competitions to take their startup projects to the next level.

Apply to the ZinnStarter Program!


Past Teams


Program Eligibility

Eligible:

  • At least one current SJSU student per team.
  • Projects in any stage will be considered.

Not Eligible:

  • Students who have received external funding over $100,000.

Note: Exceptional cases may be considered.


Important Dates

(Dates below are for the 2024-2025 cohort)

Information Session: October 30, 2024
Applications Open: December 2, 2024
Interviews Begin: December 3, 2024
Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
ZinnStarter Fellows Announced: February 15, 2025


Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact Ricky Chan (SJSU ZinnStarter Program Manager) at koon-ming.chan@sjsu.edu and include "ZinnStarter" in the subject line.


Where to Apply

Apply for the ZinnStarter Program!

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