Visible Hands VC Fellowship
Empowering underrepresented founders with capital and community.
Overview
Visible Hands is a pre-seed venture capital firm providing capital, hands-on support, and community to exceptional founders from underrepresented backgrounds. The firm operates multiple fellowship programs for early-stage founders rather than VC career fellowships. Visible Hands focuses on breaking access barriers and building an inclusive startup ecosystem.
Investment focus
Visible Hands aims to invest in overlooked founders nationally, focusing on providing capital and resources to break down barriers for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Program details
Applicants should highlight their unique backgrounds and the impact of their ventures in their applications.
Who it is for
The fellowship is designed for exceptionally talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Check if you are eligible
Check your eligibility for Visible Hands VC FellowshipAdmissions and application
Applications are open to founders from underrepresented backgrounds. Interested candidates can apply through the program's website.
Benefits
Participants receive direct mentorship, access to industry experts, a founder peer community, and company-building services.
Timeline
The VHNYC program lasts for 13 weeks, while the VHLX program is a 20-week virtual experience.
What came of it
Visible Hands’ 2021 annual report reported that, by the time of publication, nine companies from the inaugural cohort had closed pre-seed or seed rounds since the fellowship began. This is a historical operator-reported outcome, not a measure of current performance or a promised result.
How to go about it
- Read what it asks for
Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.
- Have something to show
Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.
- Apply the way the program asks
The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.
What it pays
Fellows receive non-dilutive capital to support their ventures, with additional funding opportunities available post-graduation.
Questions about this program
What is the format of the fellowship?
The fellowship programs are hybrid and virtual, catering to different geographic locations.
What kind of support do fellows receive?
Fellows receive mentorship, workshops, and access to funding opportunities.
About Visible Hands
Visible Hands
Venture Capital
Empowering underrepresented founders.
Other programs by Visible Hands
Fellowship- Location
- virtual
- Format
- Remote
- Terms
- Stipend
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From public sources
What the sources say about Visible Hands VC Fellowship
Propel's January 20, 2022 directory listed no upfront costs for Visible Hands; this does not establish current fees.
Source: Accelerators in detail: slowing down to speed upPropel's January 20, 2022 directory described approximately 5% equity for the initial $25k investment; this is secondary historical reporting and does not establish current terms.
Source: Accelerators in detail: slowing down to speed upBuilt In Boston reported in March 2021 that Visible Hands was launching a full-time founder fellowship.
Source: Visible Hands Is Launching a Fellowship Program for Underrepresented FoundersVisible Hands' May 2023 Visionaries III eligibility required full-time commitment for the entire program.
Source: Want to pursue your startup full-time? Here’s how Visible Hands can help.Visible Hands' May 2023 Visionaries III announcement offered a $200K investment; ISO currency and the executed agreement are not established by this passage.
Source: Want to pursue your startup full-time? Here’s how Visible Hands can help.Visible Hands' May 2023 Visionaries III announcement planned a cohort of 20 founders; actual selection count is not verified.
Source: Want to pursue your startup full-time? Here’s how Visible Hands can help.
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