Deadline Date: February 20, 2026
The RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) is a 12-week high-touch program designed to help startups and entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
RIoT is dedicated to empowering innovators, fueling business growth, and driving the future of IoT, AI, and Data technology. The program’s focus areas include supporting entrepreneurs in disrupting the status quo, advancing emerging technologies, providing weekly workshops and training on startup foundations, market validation, product development, go-to-market strategy, delivering tailored mentorship with personalized guidance from industry leaders, offering networking events to connect with potential customers, partners, and investors, granting RAP alumni benefits including lifetime support and access to the Founders’ Roundtable, remaining industry agnostic, offering participation with no cost or equity taken, and hosting multiple cohorts annually in North Carolina and Virginia for startups around the globe.
Participants receive the resources, mentorship, and connections necessary to transform innovative concepts into scalable, revenue-driven businesses while maintaining a customer-first focus. The program is structured to guide founders through both foundational and advanced topics critical for startup success.
RAP’s workshops provide hands-on training in areas such as market validation, product development, and go-to-market strategies, giving startups the tools to refine their business models and strengthen their growth potential. One-on-one mentorship from industry experts helps entrepreneurs navigate specific challenges while offering access to RIoT’s extensive network of over 200 mentors and corporate partners. Curated networking events further expand opportunities to engage with potential customers, strategic partners, and investors.
Alumni of RAP continue to benefit from lifelong support, access to the Founders’ Roundtable for peer advising, and a complimentary one-year RIoT Groundbreaker Sponsorship after completing the program. Open to startups across all industries, RAP emphasizes innovation and scalable solutions without requiring any financial commitment or equity stake from participants. With multiple cohorts held annually, founders from around the globe can participate in person in North Carolina or Virginia.
The program is ideal for technology-based startups developing new technologies or leveraging existing ones in innovative ways, particularly in areas like IoT, AI, machine learning, big data, blockchain, cybersecurity, and robotics. Companies with scalable business models that have demonstrated market traction, committed and passionate founding teams, and at least one founder fully dedicated to the venture are especially well-positioned to thrive in RAP. The program supports startups at any stage of development, from early market validation to growth-stage companies expanding revenue, market share, and operational capabilities.
For more information, visit RIoT.
