Western Union Foundation 2024 Fellowship Programme.

The Western Union Foundation Fellowship is a leadership and venture development program for entrepreneurs and community leaders from and/or working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe.

This virtual and global program is designed to equip next-generation entrepreneurs and leaders with the skills and experience to increase access to economic opportunity, build valuable networks and resources, and transform their communities.

Benefits

• Training and Skill Development: Training and interactive modules led by subject-matter-experts in the areas including Sales, Data & Metrics, Business Foundations, and Funding.
• Mentorship & Community: Engage with world renowned entrepreneurs, industry experts, global alumni, and local partners to receive mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the program.
• Pitch Coaching: Earn the opportunity to present at the high-profile pitch event at the end of the program to a global network of employees, mentors, alumni, and partners.
• Venture Development Stipend: $36,000 in venture development stipends will be distributed among select Western Union Foundation Fellows based on progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.

Requirements

• Who You Are:
  • You are an entrepreneur or community leader from and/or working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe.
  • You have an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and are driven to grow as an effective leader within your community. The ideal venture stages for this fellowship are Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit phases, with engaged customers or beneficiaries, and demonstrated outcomes in both impact and revenue.
  • You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. We prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire  program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
  Where You Create Impact: Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations:
  • United States, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, United Kingdom, Germany, Lithuania, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico,  Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil.
  • Preference is given to applicants from the following locations: Uganda, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan and the United States.
  What You Are Looking For: You are looking for expert-led entrepreneurial training, access to funding opportunities, and a vast network of mentorship to accelerate your leadership skills and venture impact.

Selection Process

Dates & Details

• Dates: August 8th, 2024 to November 19th, 2024 (16-weeks of programming).
• Format: Weekly virtual workshops with localized gatherings and events when possible (8-10 hours per week time commitment). Sessions are held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30am – 10:30am in Mountain Time Zone (GMT-6).
• Immersive & Orientation: 2-week virtual Immersive starting August 8th, 2024 (20–25 hours per week time commitment).
• Training: Weekly expert-led modules covering Foundations, Data & Metrics, Go-To-Market, Funding, Team Management, and Pitch.
• Impact Series: Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the fellowships we empower to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Fellows. See previous Impact Series Speakers here.
• Basecamp: 1-3 day Fellow-led workshops hosted in each Fellow’s community, to ideate solutions, design business models, and compellingly communicate their businesses and organizations to an external audience.
• Summit: Culminating celebratory event, where select Fellows pitch to local and global leaders, potential funders, and renowned entrepreneurs (November 19th, 2024).
• Venture Development Stipend: A pool of $36,000 in venture development stipends will be distributed among select Western Union Foundation Fellows, based on progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.

Method of Application

Click Here to Apply

1. Applications Submitted: Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The deadline for application submissions is June 1st, 2024.

2. First Round Review: The Admissions Committee diligently reviews all applications, seeking entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed on a rolling basis as needed.

3. Interview: Qualified applicants will receive invitations for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview. This interview allows us to delve deeper into your motivations for pursuing the fellowship and to gain a better understanding of your venture.

4. Admissions Committee Review: The most promising applicant profiles will be shared with the external Admissions Committee for their final review and selection.

5. Acceptances Announced: Notifications of acceptance will be sent out during the week of July 1st, 2024.

6. Fellows Confirm & Enroll: The final step to complete your enrollment is to confirm your commitment to the program. Upon confirmation, you will receive an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” event leading up to the program’s commencement. The program begins August 8th, 2024.

For More Information,

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: June 1, 2024.