2025 Future Founders Fellowship for Young Entrepreneurs

Future Founders is accepting applications for its 2025 Startup programs, designed to support young entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. The organization offers two distinct opportunities: the Startup Bootcamp for idea-stage founders and the Fellowship for those leading growth-stage ventures. Both programs aim to create an inclusive community of action-oriented, resourceful entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, resources, and structured guidance, all free of charge. Future Founders does not take equity in participants’ businesses, emphasizing a supportive, founder-first approach. The Startup Bootcamp is ideal for individuals or co-founders developing early-stage business ideas. It focuses on building foundational entrepreneurial skills and creating opportunities for collaboration. For more established founders, the Fellowship provides growth-stage entrepreneurs with personalized mentorship and the chance to deepen their ventures’ impact. Applicants to the Fellowship must submit a short video as part of the application process. Both programs are primarily virtual, but participants will be required to attend at least one in-person retreat in Chicago. Eligibility for the programs is broad but includes a few key requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and typically no older than their 30s, though exceptions are made for first-time entrepreneurs. Co-founders may apply individually to the Startup Bootcamp, but only one co-founder per team will be selected for the Fellowship. Entrepreneurs must be primary equity holders and decision-makers for their businesses. Participants must also reside in the U.S., and the company must be headquartered domestically. The programs are open to all industries, from traditional business models to innovative tech startups. Applications for the Startup Bootcamp and Fellowship can be submitted through a single form. Applicants who apply to both programs will be considered for the one that best suits their stage of entrepreneurship. The application for the Startup Bootcamp takes about 15 minutes, while the Fellowship application requires approximately 25 minutes due to the video submission. Joint applications take roughly 30 minutes to complete. Two deadlines are available for applicants: the early consideration deadline on January 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM CT, and the regular deadline on February 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM CT. Interviews will take place from January to March 2025, and decisions will follow shortly thereafter. Future Founders encourages prospective applicants to reach out with questions or to schedule an informational meeting. Those interested in the Startup Bootcamp can contact Chris Van Etten at chris@futurefounders.com, while Fellowship inquiries should be directed to Scott Issen at scott@futurefounders.com. These programs offer an exceptional opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs to gain the mentorship, tools, and community needed to succeed.