Programs
Career Accelerator
Lunar Accel’s flagship Career Accelerator is a 6-week, industry-agnostic fellowship for high-potential East/Southeast Asian professionals. The program consists of:
Keynote speakers
Our headlining speakers have ranged from Fortune 500 CEOs to founders that have led companies from 0 to IPO.
Curated mentorship
All fellows are paired in 1-on-1 or 2 ratios with a mid-career mentor who’s a few career steps ahead of you.
Community
Our community is the heart of the program. Alumni and past speakers regularly return to community events.
TESTIMONIALS
“Lunar is a great opportunity to meet other people who are also career-driven and meet mentors who are a few steps ahead; it is a thought-provoking program with people who are open-minded and want to get to know each other, offering opportunities to self-reflect and engage in meaningful conversation with others.”
“Lunar Accel is an amazing way to build community, not just professionally but personally too. Although everyone was from different industries and backgrounds, everyone is driven, curious, and committed to growing. The mentors were great as well: they weren’t just willing to share career advice, but also offered perspective on personal growth and life outside of work. The program is an opportunity to be challenged, supported, and connected with people who genuinely want to help you succeed.”
“It’s a great way to meet new people and to find a support system as you go through your career. The fireside chats are very insightful and allowed me to visualize myself at the executive level when I couldn’t before.”
“There’s no other community out there specifically focused on connecting, mentoring, and empowering Asian American professionals in NYC! At the heart of Lunar Accel are the amazing people in the community, who radiate kindness and humility. The bonds you forge here last well beyond the walls of the Accelerator program.”
“It fostered a lot of insightful dialogue around the Asian American experience working in America. I felt a sense of camaraderie sharing my experience with my peers and was relieved to hear that I am not alone in my experiences.”
“The cohort has a lot of really great people…I left feeling pretty excited. I also felt more empowered to speak up at work, and reflective on my short-term career goals — the programming allowed me to further define my career goals and move toward them tangibly.”
“Lunar Accel is truly a one-of-a-kind accelerator, which fosters deep connections between Asian-American professionals in a way I haven’t ever experienced before. It was incredible to have the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge with the wider group, as well as providing specific advice and guidance to my mentee, an aspiring entrepreneur.”
“Lunar Accel inspired me to take charge of my brand and my career. I joined Lunar at a time when I felt lost in my career and didn’t know what I wanted to do next, and even after the accelerator ended, I continued to reach out to mentors and get on calls to learn about their experiences, and I now have a better idea of what I want to do.”
FAQ
- What is Lunar Accel’s career accelerator?
- Lunar Accel’s flagship career accelerator is a transformative leadership development program for ambitious, early-career East and Southeast Asian American professionals in New York. The program is a year-long experience that kicks off with 6 intensive weeks of structured programming, including exclusive fireside chats with industry-changing AAPI leaders, personalized mentorship with accomplished mid-career professionals, and a lifelong community of like-minded, ambitious peers.
- What are the benefits of being a Lunar Accel fellow?
- Fellows benefit from access to prominent Asian American executives, founders, and thought leaders; a network of mid- to senior-level mentors who offer personalized guidance; priority access to alumni events such as galas, leadership coaching, and founder fireside chats; and a lifelong community of peers, supporters, and future co-founders.
- Who is eligible to apply?
- Eligible applicants should have 2–6 years of professional work experience in any industry, be physically present in NYC (or within commuting distance) for the duration of the accelerator, and identify as coming from an East and/or Southeast Asian background.
- Am I a good fit for the program?
- The program tends to benefit individuals who are actively pursuing a leadership role or promotion within the next 1–2 years, considering a pivot or unconventional career path, interested in or actively pursuing entrepreneurship, or interested in the Asian American professional experience. That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all archetype — all fellows share an aspiration to make an outsized impact, but are extremely diverse in background and career aspirations.
- What backgrounds have past fellows come from?
- Our past fellows come from a diverse set of backgrounds, including top companies across various industries, nonprofits and philanthropy, and early-stage startups. We value and highly encourage candidates from any background, including unconventional ones, to apply.
- Can you share more about the mentorship component?
- All fellows are assigned to an industry pod with 1–2 mid-career mentors. Reaching out to other mentors is also welcome and encouraged. Pairings last 12 months beyond the accelerator end date. Our past mentors include senior managers at Fortune 500 companies, founders of bootstrapped and venture-backed companies, and individual freelancers.
- How does the application and admission process work?
- All applications are first passed through a blind review evaluated against a standardized rubric. Shortlisted applicants are invited to a short chat with a team member. Fellow acceptances are typically sent 2–3 weeks before the program start date. Upon acceptance, submission of the $250 program fee is required within 72 hours to confirm your place.
- What happens after the accelerator program ends?
- The 6-week program concludes with a celebratory closing speaker event and banquet. Beyond the 6 weeks, fellows and mentors are recommended to meet at least once a quarter and have ongoing access to year-round events. Past events have included small-group dinner series with founders and executives, and AAPI ERG happy hours.
- What’s the program fee?
- The program fee for the Spring 2026 Career Accelerator is $250. Lunar Accel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated entirely by volunteers — fees are used exclusively to cover venues, speakers, and program expenses. The actual cost to run the program averages $400–500 per fellow; Lunar Accel subsidizes the majority as part of its mission to keep programs financially accessible. Many companies reimburse professional development programs — check with your manager or HR team.
- What scholarship and financial aid options are available?
- Lunar Accel offers the First Generation Professional Scholarship for eligible applicants who are the first in their immediate family to hold a white-collar professional role. To be considered, complete the additional scholarship section in the application form. Financial assistance may also be requested on a case-by-case basis after acceptance.
- Can I reapply if I was rejected before?
- Yes! We (and researchers) believe that grit and perseverance are some of the strongest predictors of success.
- Do I need to be a US citizen?
- No — non-US citizenship does not negatively impact your application. However, all fellows must be physically present in New York City for the duration of the program.
- I have 8+ years of experience. Can I join as a mentor?
- Yes! We actively seek mentors with 8–25 years of experience with management and/or entrepreneurial experience. Mentors have access to all programming events. Learn more by visiting our mentor page.
- Why is Lunar Accel a nonprofit?
- At Lunar Accel, we strongly believe in supporting the Asian American community with no strings attached and no profit incentives. We believe the best possible program experience is achieved without the obligation to deliver a financial return. That’s also why our speakers participate pro-bono and our team, board members, and mentors contribute their time on an entirely volunteer basis.