THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
The Venture for America Fellowship consists of the following components:
Training
All Fellows will attend the five-week Venture Fellow Training Camp held at Brown University in Summer 2013.
Company Placement
Two years of work at a start-up or early stage company in one of VFA’s Partner Cities.
Programming and Capstone
Regular assignments, readings, and meetings throughout the two-year fellowship, in addition to a $100k prize at the conclusion of the program.
HOW IT WORKS
Venture for America will recruit the best and brightest college grads to work for two years at start-ups and early stage companies in emerging cities across the country. In 2012, VFA sent its inaugural class of 40 fellows to work at companies in Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Providence.
In 2013, Venture for America plans to recruit an additional 60-80 Fellows and expand to an additional 3-5 cities, including Baltimore, Cleveland, and New Haven among others. The second class of Venture Fellows will be selected in Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 with application deadlines on October 8th, December 3rd, and February 18th.
The Venture Fellow Training Camp, which takes place in Summer 2013, will consist of readings and discussions, as well as lectures and meetings with seasoned investors and entrepreneurs. Venture Fellows will be given real businesses to assist during the Training Camp, and will gain practical skills in order to be able to contribute immediately. The goals of the Venture Fellow Training Camp are as follows:
- Provide each Venture Fellow job-related skills to enable them to quickly be productive for an early stage company
- Train each Venture Fellow in the ethos of entrepreneurship and job creation
- Engender relationships and collective identity among the Venture Fellows
Fellows will receive training in the following broadly applicable skills:
- Financial Analysis/Modeling (Excel)
- Project Management
- Sales
- Use of Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Foursquare, etc.)
- Search Engine Optimization/Marketing
- And many more…
Company assignments are confirmed by the conclusion of the Training Camp and VFA will recommend group housing in each city. Venture for America provides a two-year curriculum so that each Venture Fellow may continue to deepen his or her understanding of how to build a business even as he or she works. Venture Fellows will meet monthly to discuss work experiences as well as supplementary readings and assignments. After the conclusion of the first year, Venture Fellows will gather for an “Intermission”, where they will debrief about their individual experiences with their class members.
At the conclusion of the second year of their assignment, Venture Fellows will attend a capstone where Venture for America will award $100k in seed investment to the highest performing Fellow or Fellows of the class. This seed investment may either go to support the Fellow’s current company or to a new enterprise that the Fellow wishes to found or co-found immediately or at a later date, at his or her discretion.
PROFESSIONALS AND GRAD STUDENTS
Whether you are several years out of college or just starting your career, the management, communication, and problem-solving skills you’ve developed will help you as a Venture for America Fellow. We welcome professional and graduates applicants to the fellowship program. All applicants will follow the same selection and interview process.
COMPENSATION
Salary and Health Benefits
You will receive a full salary plus comprehensive health benefits. Fellows are fully employed by their host company and receive health benefits through their employer. Each Fellow earns a salary of between $32,000 – $38,000/year depending on their placement city. All Fellowship programs and benefits are provided at no charge to each Venture Fellow.