UCLA Anderson Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

And that’s a wrap on Accelerate 2026.

Over the past several months, this cohort of founders has refined ideas, gained customers, worked with mentors, challenged assumptions, built lasting connections, and taken meaningful steps toward growing their companies.

We’re incredibly proud of everything this group has accomplished and grateful to have been part of their journey.

While the cohort may be ending, the founder journey is just beginning. We can’t wait to see where these companies go, what they build next, and the impact they’ll create in the years ahead.

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As summer travel season kicks off, we’re spotlighting a startup helping travelers stay healthy wherever their adventures take them.

Founded by UCLA physicians, WANDR HEALTH is reimagining travel medicine through a digital platform that makes it easier to access personalized health guidance before you travel.

We’re proud to celebrate Wandr’s graduation from the UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator’s Accelerate program and excited to see what’s next for this innovative team as they continue building solutions that make travel safer and more accessible.

Congratulations to the founders Mark Karam and Dr Alec Freling and the entire Wandr team!

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Founders spend so much time building the product that they often forget to think about the end goal.

UCLA Anderson alum Joshua Lee (‘00) spoke with founders about exit strategy, long-term thinking, and why understanding the potential outcome of your company early can help shape better decisions along the way.

Thank you to Joshua for sharing practical insights and real-world experience with our founders at the Venture Accelerator.

Today’s session with speaker and mentor focused on stage presence, storytelling, confidence, and learning how to truly connect with an audience.

A perfect way to wrap up the Accelerator 2026 cohort.

Most importantly, thank you to the founders who made this cohort what it was. Thank you for showing up, building boldly, supporting one another, and contributing to such a strong community throughout the program.

We’re so grateful to be part of your journey, and can’t wait to see what’s next for you all!

Founder Spotlight: Daniel Nieblas building Niebla AI

shares how the Venture Accelerator helped him think beyond the product, from identifying strengths and recognizing when to pivot, to understanding the importance of long-term strategy and exit planning while building a company.

At the UCLA Venture Accelerator, founders are challenged to think not only about what they are building, but where they want the company to go.

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Founder Spotlight: AstraQua 🚀

Loay Elbasouni shares what AstraQua is building and reflects on one part of the Venture Accelerator experience that resonated most with him, including mentorship from Ann Gallon.

Thank you to Ann Gallon, and all of the mentors who continue to support founders through the Accelerator.

As we get ready for the 2026 Summer Cohort, two Anderson MBA founders reflect on what the Venture Accelerator Summer Cohort 2025 meant to them—from mentorship and community to opportunities like Shark Tank and beyond… Interested in joining our Open Summer Founder Series of 2026? Reach out soon—spots are filling quickly.

Who you build with matters.

Patrick Driscoll of Holland & Knight shares why surrounding yourself with the right partners, advisors, and people can make all the difference when building a company.

Thank you to for supporting and mentoring founders through the Venture Accelerator.

What immediately weakens a pitch deck?

UCLA Anderson faculty lecturer, investor, and mentor Ahmed A. Mirza shares two common mistakes founders make: overstating the strength of a founding team and presenting inflated or misleading traction metrics.

Thank you to Ahmed for continuing to mentor and support founders through the Venture Accelerator.