About the Program
The Startup Fellows Program is a selective 10-week paid experience placing undergraduate students inside high-growth startups across the Cincinnati region. Fellows work on meaningful projects from day one and gain hands-on exposure to the pace, creativity, and problem-solving that define early-stage companies.
Built for students who want real ownership and close mentorship, the program includes workshops, founder access, and cohort events that build community, sharpen skills, and expand each Fellow’s professional network.
About the StartupCincy Ecosystem
Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem is a tight-knit, rapidly growing community where founders, operators, investors, and students build side-by-side. As a Fellow, you’ll step into an environment defined by collaboration, curiosity, and real responsibility.
Cincinnati is one of the fastest-growing innovation hubs in the Midwest, home to Fortune 500 companies, nationally recognized accelerators, and a wave of venture-backed startups redefining consumer, logistics, AI, and healthcare. The region has been named a top city for young professionals and a top emerging startup market, with founders choosing Cincinnati for its community, affordability, and high quality of life.
Students in this program get behind-the-scenes access to leaders building the next generation of companies here—including founders backed by national venture funds and alumni from companies like Meta, Procter & Gamble, Figma, and Amazon—plus a growing VC presence that continues to invest heavily in the region.
Fellowship Details
Who: Current undergraduate students (Class of 2026–2029)
When: 10 weeks, May–August 2026 (exact dates vary by startup)
Apply: Applications open November 20, 2025
Deadline: January 9, 2026
Compensation:
- Startup Fellows: $17+/hour
- Builder Fellows: $10,000 non-dilutive grant
Types of Roles Available
Startups hire Fellows for a wide range of roles, such as:
- Marketing & Content — social media, email campaigns, customer research, brand storytelling
- Sales & Customer Success — outreach, CRM support, customer interviews, demo scheduling
- Product & Design — UX research, wireframing, prototyping, testing
- Software & Engineering — front-end, back-end, QA, basic dev tasks, technical research
- Operations — logistics, data entry, market research, internal process building
Program Tracks
Startup Fellows (Paid Roles)
Full-time positions inside Cincinnati startups at $17+ per hour, with mentorship, skill development, and opportunities to take on real responsibilities. Many Fellows continue working part-time during the school year or become early hires after graduation.
Builder Fellows ($10,000 Grant)
Students building their own startup ideas receive a $10,000 non-dilutive grant to support early development. Builder Fellows also receive coaching, workshops, and ecosystem support to move their concept forward.
Ideal Candidates
We’re looking for students who are:
- Curious and resourceful
- Excited about startups, tech, or innovation
- Strong communicators and collaborators
- Energized by learning new things
- Comfortable jumping into ambiguous problems
No prior startup experience required — bring your drive, we’ll teach you the rest.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the Startup Fellows page on our website. You can preview the full application and learn more about the program before applying.
Applications are due January 9, 2026.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We encourage applicants from all genders, races, religions, ages, and sexual orientations, as well as veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups who could bring diverse perspectives to our mission.