The Western Union Foundation Fellowship powered by Watson Institute is now open and accepting applications! They are looking for courageous leaders and entrepreneurs supporting highly marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities to create systemic change.
If you are looking to take your existing social venture to the next level, the Western Union Foundation Fellowship can help you achieve your goals. This program offers comprehensive support in areas such as scaling, pitching, fundraising, networking, and more, providing unparalleled resources for startups looking to grow and make a difference.
About
The Western Union Foundation Fellowship is a leadership and venture development program for entrepreneurs and community leaders from and/or working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe. This virtual and global program is designed to equip next-generation entrepreneurs and leaders with the skills and experience to increase access to economic opportunity, build valuable networks and resources, and transform their communities. This is a fully-funded program thanks to the support of the Western Union Foundation.
The fellowship is designed to equip next-generation entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and experience to scale the impactful ventures they are building. This is a fully-funded program and $36,000 in venture development stipends will be distributed among select Western Union Foundation Fellowship Fellows based on progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.
Benefits
Support Provided to the Fellows:
Training and Skill Development: Training and interactive modules led by subject-matter-experts in the areas including Sales, Data & Metrics, Business Foundations, and Funding.
Mentorship & Community: Engage with world renowned entrepreneurs, industry experts, global alumni, and local partners to receive mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the program.
Pitch Coaching: Earn the opportunity to present at the high-profile pitch event at the end of the program to a global network of employees, mentors, alumni, and partners.
Venture Development Stipend: $36,000 in venture development stipends will be distributed among select Western Union Foundation Fellows based on progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.
Eligibility
You are an entrepreneur or community leader from and/or working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe.
You have an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and are driven to grow as an effective leader within your community. The ideal venture stages for this fellowship are Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit phases, with engaged customers or beneficiaries, and demonstrated outcomes in both impact and revenue.
You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. We prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations:
United States, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, United Kingdom, Germany, Lithuania, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Brazil.
Preference is given to applicants from the following locations: Uganda, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, and the United States.
Application Process
Dates: August 8th, 2024 to November 19th, 2024 (16 weeks of programming).
Format: Weekly virtual expert-led modules covering Foundations, Data & Metrics, Go-To-Market, Funding, Team Management, and Pitch are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am – 10:30 am in Mountain Time Zone (GMT-6).
