Stanford students Roman Scott and Itbaan Nafi have successfully raised $2 million for their new accelerator initiative, Breakthrough Ventures, targeting businesses started by college students and recent graduates. The program, which originated from a series of Demo Days at Stanford, aims to provide essential funding and support to young entrepreneurs across the country.
Scott, who completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford in 2024 and earned a master's degree the subsequent year, and Nafi, currently pursuing his master’s, have partnered with Raihan Ahmed to lead the accelerator. They have secured backing from investors including Mayfield and Collide Capital, along with contributions from Stanford alumni. Their goal is to support diverse sectors such as AI, health, consumer tech, and sustainability.
Breakthrough will offer a hybrid model comprising in-person events at leading VC firms and a final Demo Day at Stanford. Participants will benefit from grant funding of up to $10,000, mentorship, legal assistance, and the potential for a $50,000 follow-on investment upon completion. Scott emphasized the program's unique focus on being "for student founders by student founders," addressing the historical funding gaps faced by students in entrepreneurial endeavors.