Priority Application Deadline: June 28, 2026.
Chelsea Dade, 2025 Alumna
Elevating impact-driven entrepreneurs with global networks, Watson Institute’s signature curriculum, and intensive mentorship to scale ventures that transform communities worldwide.
The Fellowship Offers
The Flagship Fellowship is Watson Institute’s signature entrepreneurial and leadership development program, which includes a curriculum that has supported hundreds entrepreneurs worldwide. This fully-funded 16-week program brings together impact entrepreneurs for intensive training, committed mentorship, connections to capital, and a global peer community. The program begins with a virtual Immersive where Fellows from diverse backgrounds and sectors unite to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
Business & Leadership Workshops
Participate in Watson Institute’s signature curriculum with hands-on sessions focused on entrepreneurship, business acumen, and financial literacy led by expert practitioners who are successful entrepreneurs themselves.
Financial Tools & Resources
Access practical financial tools, frameworks, and workshops designed to strengthen your venture’s financial foundation. Benefit from the expertise of practitioners and Watson Institute’s broader network of specialists supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
Experts You Will Learn From
We recruit experts and entrepreneurs with the specific expertise needed to best serve you. They are brought on to share their insights, facilitate our workshops, and provide 1-on-1 guidance. Preceptors from past Flagship Fellowship cohorts have included:
Brian Lee
Co-Founder @ Gildre & Roamli | 2X Exits | Advisor & Mentor
Terrance Range
Founder and Head of Product @ Myndful I Cultivating Growth through User-Centric Product Development
Cole Hoover
Designer of Impact Networks | Strategic Facilitator | Purpose Coach
Key Dates
- Program: August 11–November 24, 2026
- Immersive: August 11–18, 2026 | Virtual
- Week 1: 8/11–8/14 (Tuesday–Friday)
- Week 2: 8/17–8/20 (Monday–Thursday)
- Virtual Summit: November 24, 2026 – Selected Fellows present their venture pitches to an engaged audience of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and peers
Schedule & Weekly Time Commitment
- Weekly Workshops: Fellows participate in virtual workshops each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM MT.
- Weekly Time Commitment: 8–10 hours per week, including workshops, community building events, optional mentorship sessions, Basecamp planning and implementation, and Summit preparations.
Fellowships
The Flagship Fellowship Program brings together impact entrepreneurs whose ventures have demonstrated initial traction but need support to scale their impact. While each Fellowship addresses specific focus areas or geographic priorities, all Fellows participate in the same transformative program experience, creating a cohesive global community. When you apply to the Flagship Fellowship, you’ll be automatically considered for all the Fellowships it entails.
Luff Fellowship
- Amount: 4 Fellows
- Location: Colorado, United States
- Eligibility: This Fellowship would find and support Colorado’s most promising impact-driven entrepreneurs.
Sustainability Fellowship
- Amount: 2 Fellows
- Location: Not Specified
- Eligibility: This Fellowship is designed for driven entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions in environmental sustainability and climate change.
Kenneth King Foundation Fellowship
- Amount: 7 Fellows
- Location: Colorado, United States
- Eligibility: This Fellowship is designed for entrepreneurs who are deeply committed to creating positive change in their communities across Colorado, with ventures that expand economic opportunity and drive job creation.
Venable Fellowship
- Amount: 4 Fellows
- Location: South Florida, United States
- Eligibility: This Fellowship is designed for highly promising technology leaders across South Florida, bringing together founders who are building scalable, high growth companies while also contributing meaningfully to their local communities.
Eligibility: Is This Fellowship for Me?
Here is who we are looking for
Don’t take our word for it
Meet The Alumni
Shawn Wall is the Founder and Executive Director of World at Hand, a nonprofit expanding global learning opportunities for underserved students. Since 2020, Shawn has guided 250+ students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds to study abroad, securing $50,000 in grants and partnerships with organizations like the Institute of International Education and EF Education First. Through programs offering early exposure, online travel learning, passport support, scholarships, and post-travel professional development, he dismantles financial and systemic barriers, helping students develop leadership skills, global perspectives, and life-changing opportunities. Shawn leverages nearly a decade of international experience to build pathways that connect students across urban and rural communities, fostering long-term equity in global education.
Sarene Alsharif is the founder of Tad More Tailoring, a sustainable fashion venture reducing textile waste by making alterations and repairs accessible online. Through services ranging from mail-in tailoring to white-label partnerships with fashion brands, Tad More Tailoring extends the life of garments while creating jobs and training the next generation of sewing professionals. Since 2018, the company has completed 109,000+ alterations, diverting 136+ tons of textiles from landfills, preventing 1.49M lbs of CO₂ emissions, saving 218M gallons of water, generating $780K+ in revenue, and creating 18 jobs. Featured on TEDx and national platforms, Sarene is redefining fashion care as a scalable solution for both environmental sustainability and economic opportunity.
Roberto Garcia is the co-founder of Whynda, a peer-to-peer rental marketplace modernizing the heavy machinery and construction equipment industry. Whynda streamlines the rental process for contractors while helping equipment owners generate income, reducing project delays, costs, and inefficiencies. Since launching in 2023, Roberto has raised $20K in early funding, built a six-person team, and secured 200+ LOIs from equipment owners committed to joining the platform. With experience as a product manager in maritime, HR tech, and fintech, he has led global platform development and AI-driven automation tools. Through Whynda, Roberto aims to expand access to equipment, create jobs, and empower contractors, farmers, and low-income workers with new revenue opportunities in construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs associated with this program (travel, fees, deposit, etc.)?
Fellows may be responsible for some travel expenses and meals during in-person programming. No fees are collected or directly associated with this Fellowship.
Can I apply if my country or state is not listed under the priority geographies?
Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applications outside the geographies listed above. However, we run numerous programs a year and are likely to have an opportunity for you in the future. We encourage you to check back regularly and reach out to Watson Institute’s team members for more information.
What is the application review timeline?
We understand the substantial interest in the program and strive to provide prompt responses. Decisions will be communicated by July 9, 2026. We appreciate your patience throughout this process.
How does this program open doors to funding?
Watson Institute connects Fellows to a robust network of potential investors, grantmakers, and partners dedicated to supporting ventures with impact. Through mentorship, pitch opportunities, and relationship-building events, Fellows gain access to introductions and resources that can accelerate their growth and sustainability.
What is the long-term impact on Fellows and Alumni?
After completing the program, Fellows join a vibrant community of changemakers with ongoing access to resources, learning opportunities, and peer support beyond the program. Alumni often report increased revenue, expanded networks, stronger leadership skills, and greater community impact as a result of their Watson Institute experience.
Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others.
What if I’m not admitted?
If you are not admitted this cycle, we encourage you to stay engaged with Watson Institute through our newsletters, events, and future programs. Many Fellows apply multiple times and continue to develop their ventures with the resources and support we offer. We value your commitment and look forward to your future involvement. Explore other Fellowships.
I have another question and need assistance.
For all other questions, please reach out to Maria Pamela Pelaez at mariapamela@watson.is.
This is a fully-funded program thanks to our generous partners and consists of a variety of individual Fellowships. Each Fellowship is tailored to address specific social impact areas or has a geographical specification. For further details on the Fellowships available, please click here.
