Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Accelerator (CCI+A) 2026 Cohort Launches Across 8 Virginia Universities

May 26

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Accelerator (CCI+A) has officially kicked off its 2026 cohort, welcoming 13 teams representing eight Virginia universities, including Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and William & Mary — our largest and most collaborative group yet, advancing cybersecurity innovation across the Commonwealth.

The CCI+A program is organized by the MIX Entrepreneurship Incubator team: Program Director Gisele Stolz, Program Manager Sampson Addo, and Program Coordinator Minjin Batzorig.

⬆️ These teams join two high‑impact tracks:

CATAPULT Fund — accelerating university‑led cybersecurity research
ASCEND Fund — pairing startups with faculty to speed commercialization

🔹 Launch Day Highlights

Our May 20 kickoff brought together founders, faculty innovators, mentors, and alumni for:
- Team pitches with expert feedback
- A past‑grantee panel
- The I‑Corps Cybersecurity Cohort kickoff
- Program orientation and community building

Panelist Adam Phillips during a feedback session

🙏 Thank You to Our Speakers & Panelists

We are grateful to our alumni panelists for sharing their insights: Mi ngkui (Mike) Wei (GMU), @Rui Ning (ODU), Critical Shift Corporation, Ro ss Gore (ODU), and George "Ren" McEachern (Gl ac ier21).

And to our feedback panelists for their thoughtful guidance: Eta Nahapetian, Adam H. Phillips, Dan Woolley, and Jim Mollenkopf.

Special thanks to Mi ke S. Abbott PE, PMP, for leading an engaging I‑Corps Cybersecurity Cohort kickoff.

🔭 What’s Ahead

From now through October, teams will move through an intensive commercialization journey grounded in customer discovery, mentorship, and business model development — all aimed at delivering impactful cybersecurity solutions for Virginia and beyond. Read more about the 2026 CCI+A program here: https://lnkd.in/e-AMhyGb