The Thrive Capital Fellowship 2025 is an esteemed 10-week summer programme designed for college students entering their junior year who are passionate about startups, entrepreneurship, and investment. Participants will gain practical experience working alongside Thrive Capital’s team and its portfolio companies in New York City. This paid internship includes a $40,000 education grant, mentorship opportunities, and exclusive events, equipping fellows with the tools and connections to create impactful, enduring businesses.
Benefits of the Thrive Capital Fellowship Programme
This summer fellowship offers a select group of rising college juniors a fully paid 10-week internship, a stipend to support educational expenses, and the chance to collaborate closely with Thrive’s team and portfolio companies. Throughout the programme, fellows are paired with a Thrive mentor, participate in events designed to enhance their entrepreneurial expertise, and contribute to projects in partnership with Thrive’s Investment and Impact teams, all while working in person at Thrive’s New York City headquarters.
$40,000 grant to help offset junior year education costs
Paid internship, annualized at $100,000 salary, beginning on June 2, 2025 and ending on August 8, 2025 (pending school schedule)
Mentorship from the Thrive team for the duration of the internship
Requirements for Thrive Capital Fellowship Program
Minimum age: 18
Current sophomore at an accredited, four-year US university (graduating in 2027)
Interested in startups, founding a company, or investing. Motivated to understand what it takes to build a lasting business. Expressed interest in how invention and technology can positively impact the world. Has a future orientation and worldview.
Ability to understand and analyze businesses. Able to develop analyses to gain insights and answer key business questions. Structured and rigorous. Quantitative or technical background is a plus.
Ability to engage and clearly communicate with a range of internal and external stakeholders and personalities. High degree of emotional intelligence. Capable of making a positive lasting impression with the Thrive team and our portfolio companies.
Demonstrates respect for others. Ethical and honest. Earns trust and maintains confidence over time. Does what is right, not what is personally or politically expedient.
Selection Process
Timeline:
Application acceptance: November 18, 2024 to January 10, 2025
Interviews begin: January 27, 2025
Fellows selected: Mid to late February 2025
Application Documents
Submission of an unofficial transcript for the current academic semester (PDF)
Submission of a current resume or CV (not to exceed one page) (PDF)
A complete application must include the following:
Completion of the Fellowship Application Form. Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on January 10th, 2025 in order to be considered.
Completion of the following essay questions, no more than 500 words each (please submit a separate PDF for each essay question):
We’ve listed Thrive’s 8 values on the application. Please tell us about a time you have embodied one of these values to overcome a challenge in your professional or personal life.
Describe a business or product idea that you believe could solve a pressing issue in society or industry. Please explain your thought process for identifying this need, the solution you envision, and how you would approach launching or scaling it if given the opportunity.
Describe a time when you used data to solve a challenging problem or make a difficult decision. How did you structure your approach, how did you execute your idea, and what was the impact of your solution?
Video (limit of 90 seconds) explaining (MP4, upload to YouTube as an unlisted video)
How have your academic, professional, and/or personal experiences shaped who you are today?
Submission of one letter of recommendation. This can be from a former or current supervisor, a colleague, a professor or academic mentor, or someone you collaborate on an activity outside of school (e.g., club, on or off campus organization, religious community). Please direct your letter of recommendation writer to this link to separately submit their recommendation letter in PDF format (not to exceed one page). It is essential your LoR writer submits the same full legal name that you have written down in your application.
