September 19, 2025

  • 10/1: WE Lead Cohort Application Opens!
    The WE Lead Cohort is for entrepreneurial student leaders from any major who want to invest more deeply in their growth, leadership, connections, and innovation journey this year. Cohort members are at various stages, from the entre-curious to founders working on homework by day and their company by night and are welcome at any stage of their journey! Students can read more about the Cohort on WE Lead’s website.

WE Lead Cohort

The WE Lead Cohort is an annual program for the most highly engaged entrepreneurial student leaders on campus. If you wish to invest more deeply in your growth, leadership, entrepreneurial community connections, and innovation journey during this academic year, this is for you!

Members of the WE Lead Cohort are at various stages of their journey, from the entre-curious to founders working on homework by day and their company by night. They are the leaders of the future – inclusive, thoughtful, brave, and visionary. They dream big, are creative thinkers, and have grit and determination in the face of challenges.

Together, they will invest in themselves, dedicate time to their growth, and find support and community from likeminded women and allies on and off campus.

Not sure if the WE Lead Cohort is right for you, or missed the application deadline? You can still be part of WE Lead’s campus community by attending events hosted throughout the year – find our upcoming events and register on StartupTree!

Key Dates & Deadlines

Application Opens: Wednesday, October 1st
Application Deadline: 12 pm (noon) on Monday, October 20th, 2025
Application Decisions: End of October

Information Sessions:

  • October 1st (in-person)
  • October 10th (virtual)
  • October 13th (virtual)

Who Can Apply?

WE Lead, and the WE Lead Cohort, is open to women, non-binary students, and allies across the gender spectrum who are comfortable in spaces that center the experiences of women and their intersecting marginalized identities. Currently enrolled UW students from any degree program or major, from incoming Freshmen to PhD candidates are welcome.

The Application

What are we looking for in a candidate? Whether you’re majoring in engineering, art, public health, or anything in between, you are someone hoping to have a career that allows them to pursue their passions, make an impact, and be a leader.

You might find yourself thinking of solutions to problems no one else has solved, dreaming of applying your knowledge to build a device, app, or tool that doesn’t yet exist, or simply feel drawn to the idea of charting your own course. There are many ways to be entrepreneurial (or intrapreneurial!) and your path is your own – WE Lead, and the Cohort, are here to support you in that.

The application is due on October 20th, 2025, and no late applications will be accepted. Application questions will address past experiences with leadership, entrepreneurship, and how you want to continue to grow through this experience.

Cohort Benefits

  • Priority access to WE Lead events, workshops, and other special opportunities
  • Quarterly all-cohort meetings
  • Access to Startup Hall coworking space
  • Deeper connection to WE Lead community
  • Investment in yourself and your growth as an entrepreneurial leader
  • SIS (Supportive, Inspiring Sisterhood) – a peer mentor/new friend and networking buddy to provide advice, feedback, and more

Cohort Member Expectations

Joining the WE Lead Cohort is a commitment for the academic year and students should join only if they plan to be an active and involved participant. If accepted, you will sign an agreement to uphold WE Lead’s Community Agreements, as well as to be involved consistently throughout the year in WE Lead and Cohort activities.

What does that look like? Attending quarterly cohort meetings as well as at least 6 WE Lead events during the academic year, and meeting with your SIS on a regular basis.

What to Expect from WE Lead
WE Lead is a co-curricular program that hosts events throughout the year, from small, intimate groups to big luncheons and other special events, all throughout the quarter. Some of these are:

  • Industry panels and guest speakers with incredible stories
  • Workshops to develop your professional and entrepreneurial skills
  • Mentoring opportunities featuring local leaders, innovators, and founders
  • Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebration (in November, annually) with special presentations, networking, and more!