Call For Fellows – Apply to The 12 month Fellowship Incubator Program 2015-2016

The Parsons ELab calls for fellows for its one-year-long Fellowship Incubator Program. This year’s cycle 2015/2016 commences on 15 November 2015 and runs through 30 October 2016. 

Application Deadline: 9 October 2015

Apply by clicking here and filling out the form.

• What is the Elab Fellowship Program?

We believe that building the future economy is a collaborative effort and we aim to assist our students and recent alumni of the Parsons SDS ( this includes SDM, TransD, Urban Theory+ Urban Practice) and DT graduate programs in their journey of creating new businesses. Through the Elab fellowship program, recent alumni, upon graduation to 3 yrs out, who have proven business ideas that are scalable and entrepreneurial spirits will benefit from internal and external support for a year, including discounted coworking spaces, mentorship, professional business advice, strategic networking, informational workshops and panel discussions.

The New School has helped mold many important changemakers in music, media, art, design and the social sciences over the years, and within this context, we are excited to build and support with you a shared exploration in entrepreneurship and the emerging new economies. We can continue this stewardship in a more networked, collective and collaborative way through digital and analogue methods.

• Why be a fellow?

The Elab is proud to support entrepreneurial spirits by providing a set of valuable benefits and support through their journey:

• The Mentorship Support

Each year the Fellowship Program will have approximately 12 mentors and friends in a timebank available to the current cohort either through office hours, mentor check-ins, panels or talks. The ELab team will work to keep the pool diversified and appropriate to the needs and sectors of the current cohort. 

The ELab Mentors are from the Parsons community and alumni with 10 years of professional market experience and business success. They want to give back to their community and volunteer to support the Fellowship Program. They will be matched with recent alumni with projects that align with their skills, expectations and goals. The mentorship program is designed to be a flexible opportunity for both parties to benefit and create a growing professional relationship for future success. It may take several formats depending on the mentors’ availabilities and the actual needs of the fellows.

Besides the current 12 mentors, we will also supply the fellows with a list of vetted professionals (some are alumni) that they can reach out to for professional services and support. 

Soon, a matchmaking online platform will allow fellows collaborate by uploading information that they would like to share about themselves, projects, expectations and interests to find the perfect mentors and collaborators for their startups.

• Responsibilities & Expectations

• The Fellows are expected to give 5 hours a week to the Elab of their time either through research, marketing, admin support or another prearranged commitment.
• 5 ways to give back
• They  are required to attend all of the workshops developed by The Elab for them, host 1 workshop at their partner space, present a midway and final business and financial update and a final exit interview. 

• They are also asked to be in touch for an annual research survey up to 5 years after leaving the Elab to help us in our research around the efficacy of incubation and mentorship.

• How to apply

Application Deadline: 9 October 2015

Apply by clicking here and filling out the form.

• Selection Criteria

Applicants must submit the required materials. 

First round applicants must be prepared to present their pitches/presentation and a draft business plan to a jury and respond to a Q&A.

Applicants are judged on their tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit, depth of knowledge and research of their intended sector viability and scalability of projects, presentation and quality of materials.