The Innovation Fellows is a selective program that equips students with critical thinking skills, curiosity, resiliency and the ability to discover their creative or entrepreneurial passions. Each year, 15 students are selected as Innovation Fellows and awarded $5,000 annually.

Program Highlights

Innovation Fellows gain the mindset, knowledge, and skills required to thrive in today’s complex world. This program is designed for students who are curious, innovative, entrepreneurial or wish to create ways to improve the world around them.

Year One

  • Living-Learning Community (LLC): Reside in the Colonnades neighborhood as part of the Innovation LLC.
  • Elon 1010: Take Elon 1010 as a cohort.
  • Mentorship: Receive mentorship from an upper Innovation Scholar.
  • Networking: Learn how to network within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Courses:
    • Spring: Enroll in ENT 2500: Creativity & the Doer/Maker Mindset.
    • Spring: Enroll in BUS 1710: Introduction to Entrepreneurship.
  • Projects: Work on creative ventures in the Maker Hub.

Year Two

  • Innovation Fellows Program: Apply to become a Fellow through Stanford’s University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program.
  • Courses:
    • BUS 2110: Management Information Systems.
    • ENT 3400: Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Innovation Challenge: Participate in the Elon Innovation Challenge.
  • Projects: Create an explainer video, wireframe, and a Maker Hub project.
  • Ecosystem Exploration: Visit entrepreneurial hubs in Raleigh, Durham, and/or Greensboro, NC.
  • Competitions: Engage in entrepreneurship, startup, or venture finance competitions, or develop a venture through the Doherty Center.
  • Networking: Meet entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders throughout the year.

    Year Three

    • Mentorship: Coach first-year and sophomore Innovation Scholars.
    • Workshops: Lead innovation workshops on campus.
    • Leadership Opportunities: Take leadership roles in the UIF program, Elon Innovation Challenge, the Scholar Intern Program, or the Women and Entrepreneurship conference.
    • Travel Opportunities: Visit Austin, TX, to explore local startup ecosystems.
    • Internships/Externships: Receive assistance securing internships and externships.
    • Venture DevelopmentV: Create a social or for-profit venture or pursue scholarly research in innovation or entrepreneurship.
    • Competitions & Conferences: Lead or participate in entrepreneurship competitions or conferences.
    • Community Engagement: Volunteer at the Elon Incubator or Oak Originals Marketplace.

    Year Four

    • Mentorship: Continue mentoring underclassmen Innovation Fellows.
    • Courses:
      • Enroll in ENT 4600: Bringing the Venture to Life.
      • Complete at least one ENT minor elective.
    • Travel Opportunity: Visit Silicon Valley to experience the startup ecosystem.
    • Competitions & Conferences: Lead or participate in entrepreneurship competitions or conferences.

    Ready to Apply?

    Students with substantial and broad leadership experiences in their high school and/or communities are competitive candidates for Elon’s Scholars programs. Fifteen Innovation Scholars are selected in each first-year class.

    The Innovation Scholars application is due January 10 and available in the first-year application.

    Please note that all Innovation Scholars must minor in Entrepreneurship Studies, are required to live in the Innovation Living-Learning Community in Colonnades Neighborhood their first year, must have at least 3.0 GPA to apply and must maintain a 3.0 GPA while at Elon.