Accelerator Program
From MVP to Market, Accelerate with Confidence and Clarity
Program Description & Focus Points
The MELIC Accelerator Program supports early-stage startups that are ready to transition from MVP to market. Our structured 6–12-month program helps you validate your business model, accelerate product development, and grow a scalable venture — all backed by the industrial expertise and global reach of Mitsubishi Electric.
We focus on three founder-centered phases:
Validate
Build your core team, establish infrastructure, and launch key MVP features
Automate
Refine operations, CI/CD, and customer engagement systems
Grow
Expand your product, optimize your GTM, and raise follow-on capital
We combine deep technical guidance with structured venture-building practices — giving founders the momentum to move faster, smarter, and more confidently toward scale.
Program Benefits
What selected student teams gain during the program
- Up to $1M in funding per selected startup
- Dedicated mentorship from Mitsubishi Electric experts and startup operators
- Access to technical infrastructure and workspace support
- Opportunities for proof-of-concept and co-development with business units
- Go-to-market, financial, and customer acquisition support
- Exposure to investors and a final demo showcase
Focus Areas
We accelerate startups in sectors aligned with Mitsubishi Electric’s strategic vision, including:
Mobility
Digital Transformation
Infrastructure
Sustainability
Supply Chain
Logistics
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the MELIC Accelerator Program, applicants must:
- Be a company incorporated in the United States
- Have been incorporated no more than 6 years
- Strong founding team with relevant expertise
- Working prototype or MVP in place
- Clear market validation or initial traction
- Alignment with MELIC's focus areas
- Commitment to full participation throughout the program
Program Timeline
12-month Accelerator Program tailored specifically for scaling startups.
Timeline
Validate
2 Months
Team setup, environment setup, MVP foundation, business KPIs established
Automate
5 Months
Build product, automate testing, develop customer pipeline, CI/CD integration
Grow
4 Months
Refine product, expand sales, track CAC/LTV, full leadership team in place
What We're Look For
At MELIC, we evaluate every submission using a structured innovation framework to ensure strong alignment with both market potential and our strategic goals. Understanding what we value will help you better prepare your application — and increase your chances of progressing through our programs. Startups that meet these benchmarks will be better positioned for acceptance into our program and long-term success.
We assess early-stage ventures across seven dimensions:
Desirability
Is there a clear and validated customer pain point? Does the market truly need this?
Feasibility
Can the solution be built with current tech? Are the technical risks manageable?
Viability
Is the business model sound? Are there scalable revenue opportunities?
Suitability
Is the solution aligned with Mitsubishi Electric's strategic focus and capabilities?
Capability
Can the team deliver? Do they have the right mix of skills, passion, and mindset?
Protectability
Is there a defensible advantage? IP, trade secrets, or switching cost for competitors?
Overall Fit
Does this opportunity make strategic and operational sense within our venture portfolio?