The FINNOVATION Fellowship: An immersive Nine-month Program for Social Business Leaders in Minnesota

The FINNOVATION Lab is inviting applications for its Fellowship Program to support impact driven entrepreneurs as they lead and launch sustainable and innovative businesses.

Donor Name: FINNOVATION Lab

State: Minnesota

City: Minneapolis and St. Paul

Type of Grant: Fellowship

Deadline: 05/14/2023

Size of the Grant: $50,000

Details:

Benefits

Curriculum designed to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills
Access to an entrepreneurial community of advisors and mentors with relevant expertise, advice, and feedback
Dedicated space at FINN Lab to support the growth (and fun!) that comes from coworking alongside their cohort and other professionals
$50K living stipend

What can the $50,000 stipend be used for?

The $50,000 living stipend can be used for living and learning expenses – rent, utilities, transportation, attending conferences, research, etc. – so you can participate in the program 35 hours per week and take advantage of learning and professional development opportunities. This stipend cannot be used for business expenses.

Cohort Commitments

Make time to engage, connect, and collaborate outside of the program structure.
Show up prepared, present, and ready to participate. Help build a healthy community through respect and engagement.
Work with the process and be proactive. They have intentionally designed a process to support entrepreneurial growth, and parts of that process may be new to you or uncomfortable. Communication and accountability help us support you.
Should You Apply? YES!

If You:

Are curious and dedicated to progress.
FINN Fellows see everything as an opportunity for growth and seek out collaboration.
If Your Enterprise:
- Is innovative, has a revenue generating component, and solves a real need.
- Early-stage ventures get mentorship and coaching on strategy, customer insight, and building sustainable impact.
If Your Impact:
- Makes a difference in Minnesota and potentially beyond.
- All areas of impact are welcome including education, health, environment, or racial disparities.

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 35 hrs/week from September – June and work out of the FINNOVATION Lab space in Minneapolis, MN
If your social enterprise is already operating, you are not eligible to apply if:
- You or someone else has been paid to work on it full-time for over one year
- You are not the primary decision-maker
- You do not own all the IP, trademarks, or copyrights related to the business should they exist.