Blue Ridge Labs, Robin Hood’s venture studio, runs this fellowship for new and early-stage founders developing ventures that advance economic mobility. The 20-week program moves from virtual-first idea research and testing to an in-person build phase in Brooklyn for selected founders.
It supports work in education, financial empowerment, health, housing, hunger, and jobs. The 2026 application round has ended, and the official page now offers a 2027 interest form without an application opening date.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is free and funded by Robin Hood.
- Step 1 provides weekly workshops, user research through the Design Insight Group, mentorship, coaching, and optional access to the Brooklyn workspace.
- Approximately 25 founders advance to Step 2 and receive a $20,000 stipend for the 10–12-week build phase.
- Step 2 includes product, growth, and fundraising workshops, expert support, dedicated build time, workspace access, and a final showcase.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be new or early-stage founders working on a social-impact venture connected to education, financial empowerment, health, housing, hunger, or jobs.
- Applicants may live anywhere in the United States; relocation is not expected for Step 1.
- Step 2 participants must spend time working in person at the Blue Ridge Labs studio in Brooklyn two to three days per week.
- No prototype, incorporated company, co-founder, or stated degree is required.
- Applicants should bring lived or learned experience related to the problem they plan to address.
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Application process
- 1Review the program roadmap and eligibility information on the official page.
- 2Submit an idea summary and personal background through the application form before the cycle deadline.
- 3Blue Ridge Labs reviews submissions and contacts applicants selected for Step 1.
- 4Step 1 fellows test their ideas and present their work; approximately 25 are invited to Step 2 in Brooklyn.
- 5While the 2027 application window is not yet published, prospective applicants may complete the official 2027 interest form.
Program timeline
Application deadline for the most recent cycle
May 3, 2026
Step 1, Explore & Test, virtual-first for 6–8 weeks
June–July 2026
Step 2, Build Your MVP, in person in Brooklyn for 10–12 weeks
September–November 2026
Interest form available; opening date not published
2027 application cycle