About the Summer Fellowship

Applications for the 2012 fellowship are now closed.

Overview: Admission to the YEI Summer Fellowship Program at Yale is competitive and will be limited to 10 Yale student venture teams. Student Venture teams accepted into the program will receive the following:

  • Up to $20,000 per Venture Team as a stipend (see below)
  • 2-3 Mentors from YEI's Mentor Network for each venture team
  • Workspace during the 10-week program
  • Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and investors
  • Access to reduced costs for legal and accounting services
  • Plus, breakfast and lunch on weekdays during the 10-week program

Time Commitment: 10-week summer program (includes several pre-program meetings in April). Fellows should consider the fellowship their full-time summer job as attendance is required at all events including speakers (approx. 3 per week), receptions, and activities.

Stipend: Student venture teams accepted into the program may receive up to $20K as an investment in their company.

  • Total investment (up to $20,000) is variable based on the number of founders participating in the program.
  • The base investment is $11,000 for the venture/first founder.
  • Each additional founder participating (up to a team total of 4) adds $3,000.
  • Example: a team of three founders would receive $17,000 (base + 2x$3K)

Venture Teams: Preference will be shown to student venture teams made up of 2 or more members applying to the program. Student Venture teams must be made up of current undergraduate or graduate Yale students. All Yale students graduating in May 2012 are still eligible to apply.**

Application: Strong preference will be shown to teams who can clearly address the following questions:

1.PAIN: What significant problem are you planning on solving with your product or service, and how many people would benefit from the solution?

2.PEOPLE: Who makes up your venture team, and how diverse/complementary are your skill sets? Is this team well poised to tackle the given problem? If specific skills are lacking, identify these by type.

3.ADVISORS: How will you augment the skills and experience lacking amongst the venture team? Who are the most likely advisors to your venture, what are their specific skills, and what evidence can you furnish that they will help?

4.PROFITABILITY: How do you plan on generating revenue? What will it cost to deliver a unit of your product or service and how much will you be able to charge for it?

5.BEYOND THE IDEA: What tangible evidence has your team developed that shows the venture is more than “just” an unproven idea right now? Evidence may include correspondence with potential suppliers, partners, customers, and consultants that demonstrate validation of the business concept in general and your approach in particular.

6.SUMMER: In general terms, explain what you plan to accomplish with respect to your venture during the 10-week program.

**Note: Non-Yale students who are co-founders may apply as a member of a student venture team with at least one current Yale student co-founder who is also applying to the program. However, non-Yale students will not be eligible to receive the additional $3,000 investment for their team. Non-Yale student applicants are encouraged to secure financial support from their home institution.