ABOUT
Dartmouth Alumni Consumer Startup Accelerator
The Dartmouth Alumni Consumer Startup Accelerator (DACSA) supports Dartmouth founders building consumer-facing companies in industries such as food, beverage, fashion, and wellness. Through this initiative, participants receive hands-on mentorship, expert guidance, and a supportive alumni community to help turn early ideas into market-ready ventures. With programming led by experienced alumni entrepreneurs and opportunities to pitch for funding, DACSA helps founders go from concept to launch and beyond.
Calling alumni founders building consumer-facing companies
Applications for the next cohort open soon.
“The alumni network and mentorship were transformative—it gave me the confidence to grow.”
– Emma Xin Velicky ’20. Founder of SaturdayBox
Why DACSA
8-week hybrid accelerator designed for Dartmouth alumni
Focused on consumer goods and services
Mentorship from alumni entrepreneurs in marketing, product, operations, and finance
Build investor-ready business and financial models
Pitch Night in Seattle with the opportunity to win a $5,000 grant
Free program - no equity required
What to Expect
Over eight weeks, participants join a mix of virtual and in-person sessions covering:
Product development and branding
Financial modeling and operations
Marketing and go-to-market strategy
Legal and cultural foundations
Pitch preparation and feedback
Each cohort meets weekly for about 2.5 hours per session, with additional mentor office hours and networking opportunities.
The first and last sessions, plus Pitch Night, take place in Seattle; all others are virtual.
Eligibility
Open to all Dartmouth alumni founders (undergraduate or graduate schools)
Startups should be consumer-facing (food, beverage, fashion, wellness, retail, etc.)
No cost to participate and no equity taken
Featured Project: Perfect DD
2024 Winner – Alice Kim ’02, PerfectDD
Creator of a clothing line for women with larger busts, PerfectDD won the 2024 DACSA pitch for its innovative, sustainable designs and patented fit technology. The brand has been featured on The Today Show and named an Oprah Daily Editor’s Choice.
Viral social media moments have driven six-figure revenues, without paid advertising, showing both the demand for her designs and her ability to connect with her audience.
Alice holds two patents for fit solutions that address issues like button gapping, with plans to license these designs to other manufacturers, further solidifying her impact on inclusive fashion.
Calling alumni founders building consumer-facing companies
Applications for the next cohort open soon.
Contact Kari.Chen@dartmouth.edu with any questions.