Halcyon’s EquityTech vertical empowers entrepreneurs across the United States and the globe using technology to bridge divides and address the wealth gap, education inequality, and barriers to accessibility. Sub-sectors include FinTech, Future of Work, Assistive Tech, EdTech, and more. In addition to their general programmatic offerings, founders receive specific skill series on topics such as community-driven innovation, social impact measurement, inclusive design thinking, leveraging grants, and more.
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Halcyon’s 2026 EquityTech Fellowship will serve founders across the globe who are tackling pressing challenges in EdTech and the Future of Work. Through a hybrid programming format, selected entrepreneurs will attend a one-week, in-person residency in Washington, DC, five virtual programming days, and a final one-week, in-person residency in Pittsburgh, PA. The program will bring together entrepreneurs from across the U.S. and the globe, leveraging technology to close gaps in education and the workforce. Founders will receive expert training, critical resources to accelerate their ventures, and an eight-week in-person residency at Halcyon in Washington, DC.
Halcyon accelerates the impact-driven future of business. Since 2014, Halcyon’s fellowships for early-stage social entrepreneurs have provided space, community, and access—infusing support at a critical juncture where many impact-driven startups fail. Halcyon is focused on serving social entrepreneurs with ventures in Climate, Health, and EquityTech—three verticals that drive equity and inclusivity in society.
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Their sector includes solutions leveraging technology to increase social and financial inclusion and close equity gaps in education, wealth, and accessibility. Sub-sectors include:
- EdTech: Solutions that leverage digital tools and technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes, enhance accessibility and educational access, and remove financial barriers to education. EdTech solutions span K-12, higher education, corporate training, and lifelong learning, integrating AI, data analytics, and immersive technologies to enrich educational experiences.
- Future of Work: Technological solutions that expand job market access for all communities and technologies that enable individuals of all abilities to thrive in the workplace. Future of Work solutions include upskilling and reskilling tech, as well as technologies and business models that enhance workforce analytics, collaboration, and well-being, often leveraging AI, automation, and digital platforms.
The final cohort is selected from 10 ventures across the world. The program is delivered in a hybrid modality through a virtual kickoff meeting, two one-week, in-person residencies in the US, and four additional virtual programming days. Founders receive training in Halcyon’s methodology on product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership, as well as access to critical resources and connections to accelerate their ventures.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
The benefits of this program:
- $10K in Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) credits
- $6K equity-free stipend per venture
- Workshops with experts in product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership
- Professional advisors
- Networking with investors and varied stakeholders in EquityTech
- Access to Halcyon’s global community of 600+ founders
Halcyon Fellows receive training in:
- Investment Readiness
- Business Fundamentals
- Impact
- Leadership
Halcyon’s Fellowships for startups are free, with no fee or equity stake required.
Eligibilities
We’re looking for for-profit startups building scalable solutions tackling pressing EdTech and Future of Work challenges worldwide.
- Location: Global
- Stage: Must have a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a realistic potential to scale. Applicants must demonstrate early user feedback or evidence of early commercial validation, such as pilots, LOIs, or revenue.
- Team:
- May apply with up to one Co-Founder.
- Applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power.
- Must be fluent in English (programming will be in English).
- Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program.
- Program Engagement: Applicant(s) must commit to participating in all residencies, program activities, events, and in-person and virtual sessions.
- Impact: Must be developing a product or venture that contributes towards one or more of the UN’s 17 SDGs.
In addition, Halcyon scores each application based on four criteria: 1) Impact, 2) Scalability, 3) Innovation, and 4) Talent.
Eligible Regions: Open for All.Application Process
Halcyon’s Two-Step Application Process
Halcyon is evolving our application process to make it more accessible, flexible, and open year-round. They’ve moved to a two-step model designed to give ventures the opportunity to apply at any time, while still ensuring a thoughtful and thorough review.
How it works:
- You can now submit our Eligibility Application at any time during the year (Step 1).
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- When a fellowship program opens that aligns with your venture, and if your eligibility application meets their criteria, they will reach out and invite you to complete the Invitational Application (Step 2).
If your venture is not selected in Step 1, unfortunately, that means it is not a fit for any Halcyon fellowship.
Please note:
- The Eligibility Application can only be submitted once.
- Duplicate applications will be automatically rejected.
Step 1: Eligibility Application
- A short form open year-round to help us quickly determine if your venture is a fit for Halcyon’s programs.
- You’ll answer basic questions about your venture’s mission, stage, and impact focus.
- Reviewed on a rolling basis.
Step 2: Invitational Application (By Invitation Only)
- If your eligibility application meets our criteria, you’ll be invited to complete our invitational application when a fellowship program opens that aligns with your venture.
- This in-depth form allows us to learn more about your team, innovation, scalability, impact, and vision for growth.
- Only open to those invited from Step 1.
Application Deadline: November 20, 2025 (11 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
