HEI Incubator Fellowship Programs

HEI SUMMER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

"The Hope Entrepreneurship Initiative is a new program at Hope geared toward students who are looking to create and implement business plans. In the same way a chemistry student can do summer research here at Hope, an HEI student can do research on their business plan over the summer" -- Lance Pellow

"Innovation by itself has no value until it is chosen by talented entrepreneurs." -- Jim Clifton

Program Description:

Selected HEI Summer Fellows receive $4000 for 400 hours to turn their business or non-profit organization ideas into reality. Over a 10-week period (June 4--August 10, 2012) students receive:

• free food
• personal workspace
• educational workshops and "informal lunches" with entrepreneurs
• group excursions
• a chance to experience learning and enhance valuable skills
• support from people who want them to succeed
• energy and encouragement from other self-starting servant leaders
• contacts and mentors
• a greater understanding of self, potential, and calling

To apply, submit a letter of application by February 1.

The HEI Summer Fellowship Program offers a realistic experience of launching a new for profit or not-for-profit venture. Throughout the program participants will be introduced to subject matter experts in such areas as finance, marketing, sales, product development, and customer acquisition. As students turn their ideas into reality, they will encounter the opportunities and obstacles that face entrepreneurs and will learn how their faith can give meaning to their life in the marketplace. This 10-week program is designed to challenge and inspire those who want to create positive change, answering the call to be entrepreneurs!

Eligibility for the Fellowship

• Applicants must be full-time undergraduate Hope students in good standing
• Students must complete LDRS 231: “Entrepreneurial Leadership” and earn a B- grade or higher
• Students are highly encouraged to compete in at least one HEI “pitch and learns” to enhance their creative thinking and presentation skills
• The HEI Summer Fellowship Program is open ventures in "Ideation," "Zero," and "Seed Stage One" stages
• Both individual students and teams are encouraged to apply, as are students from all majors
• Students must submit a letter of application by February 1, 2012
• Students will learn if they are accepted into the HEI Summer Fellowship Program by March 1, 2012

SEMESTER MINI-FELLOWSHIPS

Program Description:

Selected HEI Semester Mini-Fellowship recipients receive $1000 for 100 hours to develop their business or non-profit organization ideas into reality. Over a 10-week period, students receive a chance to experience learning and enhance valuable skills, support from people who want them to succeed, contacts and mentors, and a greater understanding of self, potential, and calling. Eligibility for the mini-fellowship is identical to the eligibility criteria for the Summer Fellowship Program.

Student Comments

Here’s is what students said about the HEI Summer Fellowship Program:

• HEI provides "real world experience." It helps us "turn our ideas into reality." It teaches us "what it takes to achieve our passions."
• “Education provides the vehicle for knowledge, but programs like HEI provide the vehicle for understanding how to apply that knowledge.”
• “Because of this program, I’m convinced that entrepreneurial ventures are what I’d like to during and following my education at Hope College.”
• “I have am amazing group of people around me…Many of these people are Hope alumni…Ultimately I would love to be one of those alumni that comes back and helps other ventures get started.”

Business and Personal Bios of HEI Summer Fellowship Program Participants, Summer 2011

Press Release: June 2011 HEI Students Launch Ideas

Press Release: July 2011 Hope helps Students Develop Business Ideas