Blue Ridge Labs Founder Fellowship 2026

$20,000 stipend for founders who advance to Step 2; no cost to participate in Step 1.

Runs annually; the last cycle closed May 3, 2026. A 2027 interest form is already live—check the funder's site for the next round.

AMOUNT

$20,000 stipend for founders who advance to Step 2; no cost to participate in Step 1.

AMOUNT

$20,000 stipend for founders who advance to Step 2; no cost to participate in Step 1.

DEADLINE

Runs annually; the last cycle closed May 3, 2026. A 2027 interest form is already live—check the funder's site for the next round.

DEADLINE

Runs annually; the last cycle closed May 3, 2026. A 2027 interest form is already live—check the funder's site for the next round.

FUNDING TYPE

Fellowship

CAN YOU GET THIS?

Open to any US founder at the idea stage who is tackling economic mobility in education, financial empowerment, health, housing, hunger, or jobs.

You need conviction and a clear problem focus, not a prototype or co-founder. Lived or learned experience with the issue area is valued.

YOUR REAL ODDS

A larger virtual cohort enters Step 1, but only approximately 25 founders advance to the paid Step 2 in Brooklyn.

The two-phase structure means most applicants get cut before the $20K stipend kicks in. Competition is real, but the virtual first stage is designed to surface potential, not just polish.

WHAT IT TAKES

Submit idea summary and background via the application form — 1-3 hours
Complete Step 1 virtual program (research, validation, user testing) — 6-8 weeks, June–July
If selected, join Step 2 in-person cohort at BRL Lab, Brooklyn — 10-12 weeks, September–November, 2-3 days/week onsite

WORTH KNOWING

The program explicitly states you don't need a prototype or co-founder—applying with a sharp problem insight and clear user population is enough to move forward.

Apply on the funder’s site →

Activate Fellowship

$90,000 over 2 years (stipend + R&D); total package described as more than $300K when all resources are included

Scientists and engineers with breakthrough research ready to build a hard tech startup can apply for this two-year paid fellowship.

Echoing Green Fellowship

$100,000 stipend over 18 months (for-profits receive it as a recoverable grant)

Early-stage social impact founders globally who are building equity-focused organizations and have not yet connected with traditional investment.

Camelback Ventures Fellowship

$50,000 per fellow; delivered as a SAFE note (for-profits) or unrestricted grant (nonprofits/schools). Awarded twice yearly.

Early-stage US-based founders in education or tech working to address inequity, with a personal connection to the problem.

This is 1 of 1,600+ open opportunities.

$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.

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