CORE Entrepreneur Leadership Program

Ready to Close Your Next Round, Scale Revenue, and Lead the Future of Technology?

CORE Entrepreneur Leadership Program, or “CORE ELP”, is a year-long extension of our accelerator programs, designed to help experienced founders and professionals step back into early-stage mode. The competitive program helps 15 founders per class, giving them and their first hires the tools, network, and support to raise capital, commercialize growth, and build a team.

Ready to scale with us?

Why CORE ELP? Because Your Success Is Our Mission

The CORE program was a game-changer for us. It opened doors to the right investors, connected us with strategic board members, and helped us scale faster, smarter, and with the right people in our corner.

Ty Audronis, Tempest DroneworxFounder, CEO

What Our CORE ELP Founders Are Building

SaaS Platforms

If you’re using analytics, AI builders, and/or machine learning to connect customers, owners, or transform data, you’re in the right company. Founders in this inaugural cohort are refining their product, scaling their teams, and accelerating adoption.

AI Builders

If you’re transforming data into actionable insights, streamlining workflows, or empowering better information, our founders are working with us to build the right advisory board, navigate regulatory pathways, and grow their customer base.

Big Data & Analytics

If you’re building real-time, remote monitoring solutions, we help you assemble the right team, access investors, and scale your impact.

Ready to grow with a community that shares your vision?

What You Get: Directly Addressing Your Needs

Fundraising and Investor Access

Close your next round. Connect with top-tier investors, prepare for pitch events through role playing and pitch practice sessions and get help assembling your data room—whether it’s $500K or $3MM

Industry Expert Mentorship

Hit your revenue milestones. Focus on scaling strategies, customer acquisition, and market expansion to reach your KPI’s

Peer-to-Peer Networking

Join 600+ Tech founders in sharing challenges, learning industry best secrets, and participating in CEO roundtables and workshops

Product and Team Development

Access 250+ mentors and 80+ advisory council members who bring strategic and technical support to enable your team to bring devices, apps, and dashboards to market

Legal, Regulatory, and Operational Support

Navigate compliance and IP. Get legal office hours, regulatory consulting, and help with SBIR/STTR grants, MOUs, and case studies

Co-Working Space

Access to a dedicated workspace and all your co-working needs, large offices overlooking downtown to hold team and board meetings.

Already an Member?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be based in Tampa Bay to apply?

While the program is based in Tampa, we accept startups from around the country and even internationally.

What happens after I apply?

We accept companies into the CORE program on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within 1-week via email with next steps.

Can I apply if my startup is still in the idea stage?

CORE is best suited for companies with a minimum viable product (MVP) and some market traction.

What type of funding can I expect to receive?

We can provide 1-free month for founders to ensure the community and programming is a good match, in addition to a small, limited scholarship to startups that qualify as “BlueTech”. Our portfolio has raised $1.1B, resulting in around $200M year-over-year because of the programming, consulting, and introductions we provide.

What is expected of me during the program?

We will host weekly programming for Founders and their founding team members. Monthly sessions include a virtual CEO roundtable led by our Managing Director. In addition, there will be monthly Investor Relations meetings to prepare for capital raises. 1-on-1 consultative sessions will be arranged between founders/team members and Wave staff, Board of Directors, and leadership, depending on the needs of the startup. CORE Companies receive priority support from Wave.

When is the application deadline?

Our applications deadline is July 30th at 11:59pm ET. The next cohort will start on January 2, 2026. Each cohort has 15 founders in the community. Applications are open now. Our highlights from the program include quarterly Pitch Nights, Welcome Receptions, Mentor Surges, and our annual Hall of Fame event. There are 2 paid membership tiers to our program. Reach out to understand which program fits for you.