Tarrson Social Venture Fellowship

The Tarrson Social Venture Fellowship provides funding and advising to graduating University of Chicago students or recent alumni who are committed to growing a startup that helps solve a social or environmental problem. As the Rustandy Center's capstone social entrepreneurship resource, the fellowship supports entrepreneurs as they raise philanthropic or venture capital for their enterprises. Each fellow receives $25,000 in total funding: $20,000 provided through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) paid in quarterly installments of $5,000 over a one-year period, plus a separate $5,000 to support travel, technology, customer research, and legal expenses. Fellows running nonprofit organizations receive the funds as a grant rather than a SAFE. Additionally, fellows benefit from sustained coaching and continued relationship with the Rustandy Center through regular check-ins.