We have been operating Startup Science for five years. The platform has grown to support more than 89,000 founders and the organizations that serve them. And over that time, we have learned a lot about where the tools fall short.
Program management was one of those areas. The previous system was flat. It worked for basic use cases, but it didn't reflect the actual complexity of how organizations run programs, manage applicants, and coordinate evaluators. So we rebuilt it.
The Programs Rebuild
The new Programs module is a complete overhaul. It replaces the previous interface with a structured, multi-tab dashboard that supports the full program lifecycle.
For ESOs and Program Managers
The rebuild is most significant for the organizations running programs on the platform. Here's what changed:
- Programs Dashboard: A central hub for all your programs with key metrics, quick access to program details, and a step-by-step wizard for creating new programs.
- Application Pipeline: A dual-view interface (kanban and table) for managing applicants across stages. Drag and drop between stages. Convert accepted applicants to platform users directly from the application view.
- Evaluator Workflows: Bulk evaluator assignment, aggregated rubric scoring, per-evaluator detail sheets, and configurable reviewer transparency. Evaluators see a focused personal view of only their assigned applicants.
- Cohort Management: Cohorts are now scoped per program, replacing the previous many-to-many model.
- Events Module: Create and manage program events by type (Event, Workshop, Deadline, Milestone, Review). Supports single-day and multi-day events with both list and calendar views. Participants RSVP from their personal feed.
- Email Notifications: Seven automated emails now fire at key moments in the application and evaluation lifecycle, each with deep links into the relevant part of the platform.
For Startup Founders
If you are a founder enrolled in a program running on Startup Science, the changes here improve your experience directly.
- Program events now appear in a personal My Events feed based on your program associations
- You can RSVP to events directly from that feed
- You'll receive email notifications when your application is received, approved, denied, or when it's been assigned for evaluation
- The experience is faster and better organized than before
These updates are live now. If you're enrolled in a program, you'll see them the next time you log in.
What This Means for the Platform
This rebuild reflects our broader approach: listen to how organizations actually use the tools, identify where the complexity outgrows the interface, and rebuild with structure that scales. The Startup Lifecycle framework guides our product decisions the same way it guides founder development.
If you run programs on Startup Science and want to explore the new module, reach out for a walkthrough.
