The FINNOVATION Fellowship Program supports impact-driven entrepreneurs as they launch and lead sustainable and innovative businesses.
Donor Name: FINNOVATION Institute
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Fellowship
Deadline: 06/01/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The program supports social entrepreneurs in the earliest stages of exploring a business idea.
The Fellowship program is split into two distinct phases: the Discovery Module and the Fellows Module.
- Discovery Module
- Accepting up to 18 participants
- 3-month commitment
- No stipend.
- Fellows Module
- Up to 9 participants
- 6-month commitment
- $50,000+ stipend.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be authorized to work in the United States
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Either currently live in or be willing to move to the Twin Cities Metro Area in Minnesota, and have an idea that will impact individuals or a community in MN
- Be dedicated to solving a social or environmental issue through entrepreneurship
- Not be a Bush Fellow during the FINN Fellowship program term
- Not be related to any members of the Bush Foundation’s staff or board of directors
- You or your spouse cannot be a government official during the program term
- Be able to participate in the program on Saturdays from September – December and to dedicate 20-30 hours from January to June, including curriculum sessions during business hours.
Evaluation Criteria
In addition to these, here are other qualities that it look for:
- Innovation – your idea represents a truly unique approach to addressing the problem.
Impact Potential – this idea could potentially be scaled to impact many individuals lives, a community, or systems/structures. - Financial Sustainability – your business will generate revenue by filling a need of paying customers.
- Entrepreneurial – you’re realistic about what it means to be an entrepreneur and have demonstrated such qualities as being proactive and a self-starter, resilient, and a critical thinker.
- Continuous Learner – you are curious, a great listener, reflective, and have the ability to admit mistakes and apply learning to future situations.
- Leadership – you have demonstrated leadership skills (such as empathy, inspiring/motivating others to action, strategic/forward-thinking, ability to bridge differences in opinion, and self-awareness), and have the desire to further grow as a leader.
For more information, visit FINNOVATION Institute.
