The ACT Fellowship 2023 – 2024
Application Deadline 11.59 PM on 7th August 2023
ACT Capital Foundation For Social Impact
ACT, a non-profit venture philanthropy platform, has launched applications for the second cohort of the ACT Fellowship Program – an opportunity for young professionals to gain real-world experience in leveraging venture philanthropy for creating social impact at scale while honing their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The program is a great fit for those who are looking to build their career in social impact, pivot their professional journey toward impact investing, or hope to become a social entrepreneur.
The nine-month, full-time program will commence in September 2023 and enable Fellows to learn how venture capital principles are applied to philanthropy, from leading investors, founders, and social impact leaders. Each Fellow will be matched with one of ACT’s four focus areas – ed-tech, public healthcare, climate action, and gender inclusivity – and will work with the ACT team on a wide array of live projects including sector research, deal-flow sourcing, due diligence, investment pitches, portfolio management, impact assessment, collaborative programs, industry events and partnerships, etc.
“Our first cohort of Fellows has recently graduated and their positive learning experience has fuelled us to refine the program further. The Fellowship is our way of bringing in the best and brightest of young minds into the social impact space and we’re looking for ambitious go-getters who are genuinely interested in creating social change, passionate about the role of technology and innovation, and deeply curious about venture philanthropy,” said Alankrita Khera, Director at ACT.
The 2023-24 cohort will accept five Fellows into the program and the minimum eligibility criteria are for applicants to be a resident Indian citizen, a graduate in any discipline from an accredited university in or outside India, and have a minimum of two years of startup/investing/consulting/social sector work experience.
The ACT Fellowship is an opportunity for young professionals to learn what it takes to leverage venture philanthropy for creating social impact at scale.
If you’re looking to build your career in social impact, pivot your professional journey towards impact investing or hope to become a social entrepreneur, this program will offer you a platform to learn from leading investors and startup founders to help you gain real-world experience in venture philanthropy.
9 Month Full-Time Program
The ACT Fellowship is an intensive experience that enables you to learn what it means to apply venture capital principles to philanthropy.
4 Impact Spaces
As an ACT Fellow, you’ll work with one of our 4 focus areas i.e. ed-tech, public healthcare, climate action or gender inclusivity.
40 Hours/Week
Fellows will work with the ACT team on a wide array of projects including sector research, dealflow sourcing, due diligence, investment pitches, portfolio management, impact assessment, collaborative programs etc.
5 Fellows
We’re highly selective about who we invite into the program to ensure that our Fellows have an incredible peer-learning experience as well.
Program Structure
70% The program is designed to help you learn while simultaneously applying what you’ve learnt to multiple live projects.
20% Fellows will have the opportunity to learn from the ACT team as well as ACT’s network of industry experts through masterclasses, in-person retreats, portfolio field visits, quarterly team stepbacks and investment committee discussions.
10% The cohort will be able to access collaborative peer-to-peer learning through a team project that aims to channel their entrepreneurial spirit.
All Fellows will be paid a stipend of Rs. 60,000 per month and each graduating Fellow, on successfully completing the program, will receive an experience letter from ACT and, on request, a letter of recommendation from a member of our board of advisors.
Who Are We Looking for?
Entrepreneurial Self-Starters: Ambitious go-getters who can think on their feet, are hungry to learn, enjoy taking on challenges and can work both independently and as part of a team.
Passionate About Innovation: Individuals who deeply believe that innovation can accelerate social impact and are abreast of the latest technology trends in the impact space.
Deeply Invested In Social Impact: Aspiring change-makers who are genuinely interested in the social sector and want to catalyse meaningful change.
Fascinated By Venture Philanthropy: Sharp thinkers with a bias for action who are intrigued by the idea of applying venture capital principles to social impact.
The minimum eligibility criteria to apply for the Fellowship is to be a resident Indian citizen, a graduate of any discipline from an accredited university in or outside India and have at least 2 years of startup/investing/consulting/social sector work experience.
Interested candidates will need to complete and submit an online application form – those shortlisted will be invited for an in-person/virtual interview with a member of ACT’s leadership team. Such interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and since the program has limited spots, applicants are recommended to submit their application as soon as possible.
Application & Selection Process
Interested candidates will need to complete and submit an online application form before a stipulated deadline – those shortlisted will be invited for an in-person / virtual interview with a member of ACT’s leadership team.
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and since we have limited spots, we would recommend you apply as soon as possible.
Selected candidates will undergo reference checks before being matched with an ACT vertical for their Fellowship.
The program will commence in September 2023.
Application deadline for the 2023-24 cohort: 11.59PM, 7th August 2023
Click here to know more and apply
