Frontier Social Entrepreneur Fellowship

If you are an aspiring change-maker who is dedicated to improving the health of a country you are connected to, apply as a Summer 2020 Fellow.
Fellowship

Human-Centered Research

Archimedes Project is a venture builder that provides an aspiring entrepreneur with a team and works as a co-founder in all aspects of developing a business from research to concept to launch.

During the Frontier Social Entrepreneur Fellowship, we work with fellows to craft a unique in-country research project to understand the water or sanitation market, map existing players and fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing a future social enterprise.

The Fellowship is a first step towards building a venture with the Archimedes Project. Join us.

APPLY

Human-centered design requires human-centered research.

Aspiring entrepreneurs start their Archimedes Project experience by spending 12-weeks working in their chosen country as a Frontier Social Entrepreneur Fellow.

Too many social-good projects start without a full understanding of the problem they want to solve and the ecosystem they operate within. To design a social enterprise to sustainably address the clean water and sanitation needs of low-income households, it is essential to understand those needs as well as past and current efforts to meet them.

The fellowship is the first step in our venture building process. The research and relationships developed during the fellowship period lay the foundation for venture development. Following the fellowship, the fellow can become an Archimedes Project entrepreneur and begin the process of developing and launching a venture. 

The fellowship is a truly unique opportunity to learn what it takes to start a development venture.

Fellow Criteria

An aspiring entrepreneur must be deeply connected to an Archimedes Project priority country and be able to live there and serve as a fellow full-time during the fellowship period. They must meet the Archimedes Project entrepreneur criteria and be interested in co-founding a clean water or sanitation social enterprise with the Archimedes Project.

Who Should Apply?

Anyone who has a deep commitment to improving the well-being of a country and believes that clean water and sanitation are key to that. We are looking for leaders who will work with us to design, develop and launch the next generation of clean water enterprise that will provide sustainable access while creating jobs. Key characteristics: A strong entrepreneurial spirit, creative intelligence, leadership, and resilience.

Target Countries

These countries are a priority for enterprise development.

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Côte d'Ivoire
Ethiopia
Ghana
Haiti
Honduras
Indonesia
Kenya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia

This list is subject to change. If you are interested in working in a country not listed here, please inquire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is Eligible to Apply for the Fellowship?

The fellowship is open to anyone, from current students to postgraduates.

It is essential that you are able to:

  1. Commit 5-10 hours per week in the 4-8 weeks prior to the in-country fellowship.
  2. Commit to spending 12 weeks in-country working full-time.
  3. You are interested in launching a clean water or sanitation social enterprise within 18-24 months.

Still have questions? Get in touch.

Why Do I Have to be Connected to the Target Country?

We are looking for a fellow who has the desire and legal ability to move to the country of interest, is competent in the dominant local language, and possesses a broad understanding of the culture. This will allow the fellow to navigate more successfully while talking to local partners and conducting market research. This link to the country is also important if the fellow is selected to be a co-founder. Starting a business is difficult enough as it is - having a connection to the country will help the entrepreneur navigate the challenges unique to that country.

Still have questions? Get in touch.

Can I Apply with a Team?

At this time, we are only accepting applications from individuals.

Still have questions? Get in touch.

I Already Have A Social Enterprise, Can I Apply?

The fellowship period is intended to support research and partnership building for a novel clean water or sanitation enterprise. It is not intended to support an existing social enterprise or other project.

Still have questions? Get in touch.

Do I Have to be a U.S. Citizen?

No! Our fellowship is open to citizens of every country.

Still have questions? Get in touch.

Meet our Past Fellows

Kenya
Phyllis Gichuhi
2018
,
Research

Phyllis is a native Kenyan who is passionate about contributing to the positive growth of her hometown of Nairobi and hopes to drive change towards a cleaner, more sustainable and innovative city.

Rwanda
Leandre Kibeho
2018
,
Research

Leandre is a native Rwandan pursuing a master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University. He is passionate about the development of his country and believes that creative entrepreneurship is the solution to the Rwanda’s development challenges.

Ethiopia
Fitsum Gelaye
2017
,
Research

Fitsum grew up in Addis Ababa, constantly faced with the lack of access to basic services. Her experience inspired her to investigate the constraints behind access to water and sanitation and how social enterprises can benefit cities.

Ghana
Patricia Addo-Dombo
2017
,
Research

Patricia was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and is a MSW student at New York University who is passionate about helping people and societies. She is fueled by her drive to empower people and foster well-being.

Honduras
Jennifer Vargas
2016
,
Research

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon, Jennifer believes that innovation, creativity and close interaction with affected communities are the key to unlock potential for change.

Cameroon
Iynna Halilou
2015
,
Research

Iynna is a global nomad who believes that entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are the solution to Cameroon's development challenges. Her goal as a entrepreneur is to unlock the potential to create solutions.

Haiti
Jessica Laporte
2014
,
Venture

Jessica is passionate about Haiti and about using social entrepreneurship as a mechanism to provide critical services and allow communities to meet their own needs in an aid-dependent society. 

Inquire about becoming a 2019
Fellow
Thank you for your interest!
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