Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship 2024

The Truist Foundation Fellowship, powered by the Watson Institute, is a fully-funded venture and leadership program designed for early-stage entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit founders in Georgia. Fellows receive technical training, enhance their business acumen, and gain financial literacy knowledge, all tailored to amplify their impact within the communities they serve. This Fellowship is specifically intended for entrepreneurs dedicated to serving emerging markets across rural and urban Georgia through job creation and economic development initiatives.

• Table of Content
• About Watson Institute
• Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship
• Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship Courses
• Requirements for Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Watson Institute

Watson Institute is a place where next generation entrepreneurs and leaders can find their community, discover their calling, and accelerate their careers. We provide the tools, network, mindset, and courage for the next generation to solve the toughest challenges facing the world, launch successful careers, and lead impactful lives. Watson Institute has locations in Boulder, Colorado, at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and at Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM) in Guatemala City, Guatemala. We are now building partnerships with innovative institutions o... continue reading

Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship

This is a fully-funded program thanks to the support of the Truist Foundation.

With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute and Truist Foundation teams, you will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your work and impact. You will acquire the skills to construct and refine your pitch, and you will have the opportunity to present it at the high-profile Summit event. Additionally, you will facilitate an impactful workshop and training session (known as a Basecamp) in your community for your stakeholders, supported by a stipend, playbook, and team assistance to bring your vision to life.

A 1 to 2-day workshop designed and led by Fellows for their own stakeholders and communities. Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend to support the implementation of the Basecamp events.

Fellows can earn up to $6,000 in venture development stipends based on the completion of Basecamp and their progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.

Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship Courses

• Leadership

Requirements for Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship Qualification

• Who You Are:
  • You are an entrepreneur, small business owner, or nonprofit leader deeply committed to creating sustainable and scalable impact through job creation and economic development initiatives.
  • You are at the helm of a social impact venture or community endeavor with 1-5 years of traction, demonstrating a history of making a difference. Ideally, your venture operates in the realm of economic development in underserved and underbanked communities.
  • You possess an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and a drive to become an effective leader within your community. The ideal venture stage for this fellowship is one that is in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit phases, with engaged customers or beneficiaries and demonstrated outcomes in both impact and revenue.
• Where You Create Impact: Applicants located in or creating impact in markets across rural and urban Georgia, United States.
  • If your location is not listed above, we encourage you to explore other fellowships powered by Watson Institute. We are currently recruiting for several impactful fellowship opportunities across a diverse range of locations.
• What You Are Looking For:
  • You are seeking expert-guided entrepreneurial training, a community of entrepreneurs to provide feedback that enhances your venture, and a broad-reaching mentor network to develop your leadership abilities and amplify the impact of your venture.
    • You are eager for an opportunity to challenge yourself by leading a Basecamp event, stepping out of your comfort zone, and spearheading an initiative that benefits your venture while serving your stakeholders and community

Interview date, Process and Venue for Watson Institute Truist Foundation Fellowship

1. Applications Submitted: Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The final deadline for application submissions is January 5th, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline.

2. First Round Review: Our Admissions Committee diligently reviews all applications, seeking entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed on a rolling basis as needed.

3. Interview: Qualified applicants will receive invitations for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview. This interview allows us to delve deeper into your motivations for pursuing the fellowship and to gain a better understanding of your venture. Interviews will commence during the week of December 1st, 2023.

4. Admissions Committee Review: The most promising applicant profiles will be shared with our external Admissions Committee for their final review and selection.

5. Acceptances Announced: Notifications of acceptance will be sent out during the week of January 19th, 2024.

6. Fellows Confirm & Enroll: The final step to complete your enrollment is to confirm your commitment to the program. Upon confirmation, you will receive an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” event leading up to the program’s commencement. The program begins February 17th, 2024.

Dates & Details:

• Dates: February 17th to June 6th, 2024 (16 weeks of programming)
• Format: Weekly virtual workshops with localized gatherings and events when possible. Sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10:30 am ET and on Thursdays from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET.
• In-Person Immersive: The program begins with a mandatory 1-day in-person immersive experience in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for February 17th, 2024, from 9 am to 7 pm ET.
• Training: Fellows will engage in weekly expert-led modules covering subjects including Financial Literacy Skills, Foundations, Data & Metrics, Go-To-Market, Funding, Team Management, and Pitch.
• In-Person Components: Every Thursday throughout the fellowship, Fellows will have the option to participate in in-person programming in Atlanta.
• Impact Series: Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the fellowships we empower to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Fellows. See previous Impact Series Speakers here.
• Basecamp:A 1 to 2-day workshop designed and led by Fellows for their own stakeholders and communities. Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend to support the implementation of the Basecamp events.
• Summit: This is the culminating in-person community event where Fellows pitch to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs to be held in Atlanta on June 6th, 2024.
• Venture Development Stipend: Fellows can earn up to $6,000 in venture development stipends based on the completion of Basecamp and their progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The final deadline for application submissions is January 5th, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline. 

For more details visit: Watson Institute website.