The Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship

Applications are open.

Priority Application Deadline: January 26th, 2027. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Thank you for your interest in the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship. This application should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You can check the Fellowship eligibility here.

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Tell Us About Yourself

Our organization values diversity. The collection of demographic information is essential to us, as it helps us ensure that our processes are fair and inclusive. Our objective is to make certain that our programs fully represent and cater to the diverse populations we work with. We invite you to voluntarily provide demographic information below.

Name*

First Last

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Country of Citizenship*

Phone*

Please include a country code.

Date of Birth*

Month

Day

Year

Gender Identity*

Other, Gender Identity*

Pronouns*

Other, Pronouns*

Race/Ethnicity*

Other, Race*

Address*

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

What is your highest level of education?*

Share your LinkedIn Profile*

Please share the URL for your LinkedIn profile. If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, please put N/A.

How did you first learn about the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship powered by Watson Institute?*

Please review the list carefully and select one option below. Use the following questions to add any additional details.

Please elaborate on your answer to the question above.*

For example: if referred, (tell us the full name of the person and Organization); if you marked a Social Media Group, (give us the name of the group); etc. Please be as specific as possible.

Organization / Business Overview

What is the name of your organization or business?*

When did you first start working on this organization or business?*

Which option best describes your current role in the organization or business?*

Select the one option that most closely reflects your primary role.

If Other, please describe your role

Which option best describes your current work commitment?*

If Other, please describe your your current work commitment*

Briefly describe your organization or business*

Describe your organization in 2-3 sentences. Include: What problem are you solving, and how does your solution work?

Organization or business website:*

Please answer the following questions to help us understand where your venture is in its development journey.

Have you identified a clear problem your organization is trying to solve?*

Yes

Not Sure

Have you validated this problem with real people (e.g., interviews, surveys, prototype)?*

Yes

Not Sure

Do you currently have a product or service (Pilot or live offering)?*

Yes

Not Sure

Is your solution being used by real users, clients, or beneficiaries?*

Yes

Not Sure

Have people paid for your product/service, or has your program received funding?*

Yes

Not Sure

Do you have repeat customers, clients, or beneficiaries?*

This indicates consistent demand, such as repeat customers, recurring clients, or users or beneficiaries who return over time.

Yes

Not Sure

Impact Focus & Progress

What best describes your primary area of work?*

Technology & Innovation - Digital solutions, tech platforms, software, hardware innovation

Economic Development - Business development, financial services, market access, job creation

Environmental Solutions - Climate action, sustainability, conservation, clean energy

Education & Skills - Learning programs, training, capacity building, knowledge sharing

Health & Wellbeing - Healthcare, mental health, nutrition, wellness

Agriculture & Food Systems - Farming, food production, agricultural innovation

Social Justice - Rights, advocacy, civic engagement, community empowerment

Arts & Culture - Creative expression, cultural preservation, media, design, performing and visual arts

Other

Please elaborate:*

Does your work directly impact any of the following communities?*

Focus on the primary population

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

Indigenous peoples

Justice Impacted communities

Low-income communities

People with disabilities

Rural communities

Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Unbanked & Underbanked

Women and girls

Youth (under 25)

Other

Approximately what percentage of the people you serve are from the community you selected above?*

In what state does your organization or business primarily create impact?*

If you create impact in multiple states, choose the state in which you create the largest impact.

Which category best describes your work? Select the one option that most closely aligns with your primary focus.*

Financial Services & Solutions ( you help individuals to access tools like bank accounts, credit improvement, financial coaching, benefits enrollment, etc.)

Capital Access & Small Business Support ( you help entrepreneurs and small business owners access funding, loans, business financial tools, etc.)

Homeownership & Housing Solutions ( you offer counseling, credit support for mortgages, affordable housing pathways, or services that help people maintain or transition into long-term housing stability.)

Entrepreneurs Serving Unbanked/Underbanked (you empower financially underserved communities through supportive services like job access, childcare, transportation, or other solutions.)

Other

Please elaborate*

Does your organization directly serve or impact any of the following communities through its programs, services, or operations? (Select the most relevant)*

We're looking for organizations with meaningful local presence in these locations. If you serve a broader region that includes one of these areas, please select the one most relevant to your work.

Denver, Colorado

Phoenix, Arizona

Richmond or Oakland, California

Not Sure

Other

Current Impact Metrics*

Select the primary metrics you track and provide current data

Lives impacted/individuals served

Environmental impact

Economic value created

Jobs created/supported

Number of businesses served

Other

Based on the metrics you selected, share how your work makes a difference in your communities, and include numbers that show your progress.*

Focus on metrics that demonstrate your contribution to the economic development of the region. We want to understand both the changes you're creating and specific results.

Approximately how many unique businesses or organizations has your organization or business directly served or impacted since it began operating?*

Count each business or organization only once whenever possible. Include clients, customers, and partner organizations who have used your product, participated in your programs, received your services, or otherwise directly benefited from your work. Please enter the total number using digits only, without commas, periods, spaces, or other symbols. If your venture does not track this information or its primary impact is not measured by businesses served, enter 0.

Approximately how many unique individuals has your organization or business directly served or impacted since it began operating?*

Count each person only once whenever possible. Include individuals who have used your product, participated in your programs, received your services, or otherwise directly benefited from your work — this refers to direct contact, not people reached through your business clients (see the next question for that). Please enter the total number using digits only, without commas, periods, spaces, or other symbols. If your venture does not track this information or its primary impact is not measured by individuals, enter 0.

What are your organization or business's key goals for the next 1-3 years?*

Please describe your organization's specific 1-3 year objectives and explain how the resources, network, and opportunities provided by this fellowship will directly contribute to achieving those milestones.

What is your personal connection to the issue you are trying to solve through your work?*

Please include a personal story, 2-3 key moments or milestones that shaped your work, and concrete examples from your past experiences that not only demonstrate your fit for the program but also showcase your passion for your organization.

Organization or Business Structure & Financials

Full-time team members (paid):*

Please add the total number.

Part-time team members (paid):*

Please add the total number.

Regular volunteers/unpaid team members:*

Please add the total number.

Is your organization or business officially registered?*

Yes - fully registered/incorporated

In process - working on registration

No - operating informally

Not yet - planning to register

Not sure - need guidance

Not required for our work

If yes, what state?*

What is the legal structure of your organization or business?*

Please choose the ONE option that best describes your organization.

If Other, Please describe your structure:*

How have you funded your work so far? Select all that apply:*

Revenue from Sales/Services (Income from your products or services)

Grants (Funding from foundations, organizations, or government that doesn't need to be repaid)

Individual Donations (Support from community members, friends, family, or crowdfunding)

Investment Capital (Including seed funding, equity investment, or SAFE notes from investors)

Loans (Money borrowed that needs to be repaid)

Community Support (Non-monetary support, in-kind donations, or volunteer time)

Personal Funds (Your own money or resources invested)

Haven't Raised Funds Yet (Still in planning or early stages)

Other

If Other, please specify how have you funded your work so far*

What is your organization's total revenue or income since its founding?*

Include all revenue and income sources — sales, contracts, grants, donations, investments, and any other funding. Enter the exact number without symbols (e.g., 500000). USD only. If no funds have been raised yet, enter 0.

What was your organization's total revenue or income for your last completed fiscal year?*

Include all revenue and income sources — sales, contracts, retainers, grants, donations, and any other funding. Enter the exact number without symbols (e.g., 250000). USD only.

Which statement best describes the total revenue or income figure you entered above?*

Select the one option that most accurately explains your response.

This amount is accurate, based on financial records (e.g., bookkeeping, bank statements, or a tax return).

This amount is a close estimate — exact figures were not readily available.

I entered $0 because we have not received revenue or income from any source.

I entered $0 because we have only received non-monetary or in-kind support.

I entered $0 because I do not know the total amount.

I entered $0 because I prefer not to disclose this information.

Other

If Other, please specify*

What is your projected total revenue or income for your current fiscal year?*

Base this on signed contracts, secured grants or pledges, your active pipeline, and current trajectory — your best realistic estimate, not an aspirational target. Enter the exact number without symbols. USD only.

List up to 3 of your most significant sources of income and the type of support they provided. For example: "XYZ Foundation - Grant" or "Community Cooperative - Investment."*

Note: - Include organizations, investors, or major donors - If you haven't received external funding yet, write "N/A" - If you prefer not to name specific funders, you can describe the type of organization (e.g., "Local Foundation" or "Impact Investor")

Additional Information

Do you personally, or does your organization or business, currently have or previously had a formal relationship or affiliation with Wells Fargo? This may include employment, board service, participation in a program or accelerator, a banking relationship, sponsorship, grant funding, or a vendor or supplier contract.*

Yes

Other

If yes, briefly describe who held the relationship, the nature of the relationship, and approximately when it occurred.*

Does your organization or business use any formal eligibility criteria related to race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or another legally protected characteristic when determining who may access its products, services, or programs?*

Yes

Not sure

If yes, please describe the eligibility criteria, the individuals or organizations to whom they apply, and the reason for the criteria.

Are you confident that you understand and agree to the time commitments, scheduling expectations, and consideration for time zones necessary to successfully participate in the Program?*

Yes

Not sure

Please read more about time commitment expectations here.

Do you agree to facilitate a Basecamp in one of the required locations?*

Yes

Not sure