Empowering Small Business Ecosystem Builders: The Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship

The Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship is a dynamic, fully-funded, 16-week program designed to assist small enterprise house owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders who’re strengthening and amplifying small enterprise ecosystems in Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Whether you’re main a enterprise that empowers different entrepreneurs or connecting your neighborhood to essential monetary providers, this fellowship equips you with the instruments and networks wanted to scale your affect and rework your neighborhood.

Fellowship Overview

The Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship affords a singular alternative for hands-on coaching, professional mentorship, and capital connections—all aimed toward constructing stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems in city communities. Fellows will obtain management improvement, enterprise acumen workshops, and personalised assist that features introductions to potential funders and buyers.

What the Fellowship Offers

• Business & Leadership Workshops: Participate in interactive workshops led by profitable entrepreneurs and specialists in enterprise technique, monetary literacy, and extra. Gain sensible insights to boost what you are promoting operations, improve your monetary information, and develop sustainable development methods.

• Mentorship & Capital Connections: Tap into Watson Institute’s in depth community of mentors and neighborhood leaders. You’ll additionally achieve entry to key funding and funding alternatives, serving to you’re taking what you are promoting to the following degree.

• Basecamps: Building Community Ecosystems: Create lasting change by organizing and main a 1-3 day workshop for rising entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. These Basecamps, with complete coaching and assist, allow Fellows to share their experience and multiply their affect inside their networks.

• Pitch Training & Summit: Master the artwork of storytelling with devoted pitch teaching. At the Summit, current your enterprise’s development and neighborhood affect to an viewers of buyers, companions, and entrepreneurs. This high-profile occasion will make it easier to safe alternatives to advance what you are promoting and broaden your affect.

Experts You Will Learn From

The Fellowship’s curriculum is delivered by a roster of trade specialists and skilled entrepreneurs. These mentors carry various backgrounds and deep experience to this system, guaranteeing Fellows obtain related, actionable recommendation and insights. Previous instructors embody:

• Karen Carr-Crawford: A marketing consultant with over twenty years of expertise, Karen has labored with small companies by means of organizations like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and the SBA, specializing in advertising, gross sales, and operational methods.

• Terrance Orr: A startup advisor and investor with experience in enterprise constructing, product administration, and enterprise improvement throughout startups and growth-stage firms.

• Brian Lee: Co-founder of Roamli and Gildre, Brian helps founders construct profitable firms by means of immersive experiences and mentorship.

Fellowship Dates & Time Commitment

• Program Dates: February 25 – June 4, 2026

• Immersive Week: February 25 – March 5, 2026 (with particular session days from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET)

• Summit: June 2026 (location TBD)

The Fellowship requires a weekly dedication of 8-10 hours, together with group classes, mentorship conferences, and preparation for the Basecamp and Summit occasions. Active engagement is crucial to completely profit from this immersive studying expertise.

Who Should Apply?

The Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship is good for small enterprise house owners, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs who:

• Lead companies that uplift and amplify the native small enterprise ecosystem (e.g., enterprise consulting, advertising, monetary providers).

• Provide entry to important monetary services, together with enterprise loans, monetary literacy packages, and extra.

• Have a measurable observe report with at the very least $100,000 in income or an working price range.

• Are positioned in Baltimore, Chicago, or Washington D.C., and are dedicated to creating a long-lasting affect of their neighborhood.

The Fellowship prioritizes people who carry an entrepreneurial spirit, a development mindset, and a ardour for sharing their information and assets with others.

How to Apply

• Application Deadline: Priority functions are due by January 8, 2026. Applications shall be reviewed on a rolling foundation till all spots are stuffed.

• Selection Process: After finishing the net application, chosen candidates shall be invited for a short interview. Final selections shall be introduced by February 2, 2026, with this system starting February 25, 2026.

• For extra data click here

Start your application right this moment and take step one towards scaling what you are promoting and enhancing your neighborhood’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Alumni Success Stories

Our Fellows go on to make a profound affect of their communities. Past alumni, resembling Kiesha Halliburton and Amanda Spann, have leveraged the abilities, mentorship, and community they gained by means of the Fellowship to develop their ventures and assist the following technology of small enterprise leaders.

Program Costs

Thanks to the beneficiant assist of Wells Fargo, the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship is fully-funded, that means no price to contributors for program tuition, workshops, or supplies. Travel and different private bills are additionally lined by means of a Community Development Stipend.

Ready to Amplify Your Impact?

If you’re prepared to rework what you are promoting and uplift your neighborhood, the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship could possibly be the right subsequent step. Apply right this moment to safe your house on this life-changing program!

For extra particulars and to begin your application, go to our apply web page. We stay up for serving to you unlock your full potential.

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