The Future Builders Fellowship (2025) is a program designed to support entrepreneurs across the United States who are addressing key challenges in climate, health, and equity. The fellowship provides expert training, critical resources, and immersive in-person residencies in Washington, DC, and Atlanta. The program aims to accelerate the growth of scalable ventures that contribute to solutions for climate change, healthcare accessibility, and social equity. Participants gain access to a world-class network of mentors, advisors, and investors, along with funding support and specialized training to enhance their venture’s success.

The fellowship strongly emphasizes fostering equity in entrepreneurship, recognizing that historically underrepresented founders face systemic barriers in accessing venture capital and business support. Halcyon is committed to bridging these gaps by ensuring that a diverse group of entrepreneurs has access to its resources. The organization reports that 84% of Halcyon ventures are led or co-led by a founder of color, and 63% are led or co-led by a woman or non-binary entrepreneur. The fellowship is open to all entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of background or prior experience.

The program targets for-profit startups with scalable solutions in three key sectors: climate, health, and equity. Climate solutions may include renewable energy, green building technologies, climate-smart agriculture, and water management innovations. Health-focused startups should leverage technology to improve access to healthcare and health outcomes, particularly for historically excluded populations. The equity category supports ventures utilizing technology to enhance financial inclusion, education access, and social equity. Entrepreneurs must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with the potential to scale and must be working full-time on their ventures.

Fellows selected for the program will receive a variety of benefits, including a $5,000 equity-free stipend per venture, $10,000 in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits, technical support, mentorship, legal workshops, networking opportunities, and specialized training in leadership development, investment readiness, and product-market fit. The program consists of a hybrid model with virtual engagements and two in-person residencies. The schedule includes a virtual kickoff, four virtual program meetings, and two separate in-person residencies in Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA.

Applications for the 2025 cohort open on January 7, 2025, and close on February 16, 2025. Finalists will be invited to a virtual pitch session in February and March, with selected fellows notified in March 2025. The program officially begins with a virtual kickoff on April 11, followed by an in-person residency in Washington, DC, from April 21-25. Virtual meetings continue through May to August, and the second in-person residency will take place in Atlanta from September 8-12, 2025.

Selection criteria for the fellowship include impact, scalability, innovation, and talent. Applicants must demonstrate that their venture has the potential to create meaningful social or environmental impact, scale significantly over the next 5-10 years, provide an innovative approach to solving a pressing issue, and be led by a team uniquely qualified to execute their vision. Entrepreneurs interested in accelerating their impact are encouraged to apply to the program.