Time is ticking. Applications for the 2026 to 2027 FINNOVATION Fellowship close on June 1, 2026. If you or someone you know is building an impact-driven venture and looking for structure, support, and community, now is the time to apply. The Fellowship is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of exploring and shaping a social impact business idea.

The clock is ticking! If you are building a mission driven business, social enterprise, or bold idea with real community impact, this is your sign to apply. 

The FINNOVATION Fellowship is designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to test and strengthen their ideas with support, structure, coaching, and community.

Applications close at 11:59 pm CDT on Monday, June 1.

Apply now: https://finnovationinstitute.org/apply

The next opportunity to join the FINNOVATION Fellowship is here! Applications for Cohort 8 will close June 1st. If you are building a social enterprise and looking for support, strategy, and community, we encourage you to apply. 

The next opportunity to join the FINNOVATION Fellowship is almost here. Applications for Cohort 8 will open May 1 through June 1. If you are building a social enterprise and looking for support, strategy, and community, we encourage you to apply. Know someone who should keep an eye on the process? Invite them to join our newsletter so they can stay informed about deadlines, updates, and fellowship news.

A mentor gave Ali two words that changed everything: hold it lightly.

In the FINNOVATION Fellowship Discovery Module, Ali Brueggemann came in ready to build Vulvacious, a design-forward body literacy platform she’d been nurturing for years.

But as she shared the idea, something unexpected happened: people didn’t just respond with interest… they responded with stories.

If you’re a founder, mentor, or builder navigating the tension between vision and reality, this one will stick with you.

FINNOVATION Institute is delighted to announce its new Executive Director, Dr. La Juana Whitmore. La Juana has been a leader in the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program since 2020, leading curriculum and providing business advice to Fellows, and the Institute is delighted to see her role expand to lead the organization.

We’ve reached a milestone in the FINNOVATION Fellowship, and it’s a big one.

After an intense Discovery Module filled with research, reflection, iteration, and final presentations, we’ve selected the nine entrepreneurs who will advance to the Fellows Module, beginning January 13.

This decision was not easy! The finalists showed not just strong ideas, but strong execution and growth. The Fellows Module is designed for founders who are ready to deepen their work, sharpen their strategy, and build what’s next with focus.

Following a highly competitive Discovery Module, these fellows were chosen for their demonstrated commitment to understanding complex problems, applying systems thinking, and developing viable, impact-driven business models. The Fellows Module represents the next phase of the fellowship and provides deeper, more intensive support as participants move from exploration to execution.

The Discovery Module is where big ideas get tested, stretched, and sharpened. Over the last few weeks, our Fellows and alumni have been doing what they do best: listening, learning, and building ventures that center impact, not just growth.

In case you missed it, here is a look at what's been happening around the FINNOVATION Fellowship.

FINNOVATION Institute today announced that Jacquie Berglund and Erik Halaas will serve as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) for the 2025–2026 FINNOVATION Fellowship program (Cohort 7). As a new program feature, these EIRs will provide one-on-one leadership and business consulting through regular office hours, giving Fellows personalized support from experienced entrepreneurs, enhancing the Fellowship’s robust mentorship model. This addition aligns with the FINNOVATION Fellowship’s mission to support impact-driven entrepreneurs as they launch sustainable, innovative businesses. As seasoned social innovators, Berglund and Halaas bring complementary expertise to the program. 

The Discovery Module is the first phase of the FINNOVATION Fellowship, providing fellows with targeted curriculum, mentorship, and peer support to sharpen their vision and strengthen their strategies. Over the course of the module, participants will engage in business model development, market research, pitching, systems thinking, trend analysis, and network building, laying a strong foundation for sustainable social impact.

FINNOVATION Institute, a champion for changemakers committed to solving systemic problems through the power of business, has announced the newest cohort of fellows for the Discovery Module of the FINNOVATION Fellowship. This dynamic group of 17 entrepreneurs will spend the next several months developing and refining innovative business models designed to address some of today’s most pressing issues.