The SOCAP Fellowship Program
What Is the SOCAP Fellowship Program?
The SOCAP Fellowship Program is designed to bridge the gap between visionary founders and strategic funders, creating meaningful connections that drive transformative change. This unique program emphasizes the power of peer-to-peer support, creating a space for Fellows to connect with peers who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities in the social impact space. They can exchange insights, offer advice, and provide encouragement to one another in a trusted environment.
SOCAP Fellows have the opportunity to present their ventures to the SOCAP audience at the annual flagship event — SOCAP25 takes place from October 27 to 29 in downtown San Francisco.
Fellows gain exclusive access to a dynamic network of impact-driven leaders, innovators, and funders, facilitating partnerships that amplify their ventures’ potential for social and environmental impact. Through curated networking opportunities and thought-provoking virtual sessions, the Fellowship empowers both founders and funders to share insights, forge lasting relationships, and co-create sustainable solutions.
The SOCAP Fellowship also offers a unique partnership opportunity. Organizations are invited to bring their cohorts of social entrepreneurs and/or funders to SOCAP’s annual flagship event.
Learn more about these opportunities below!

The 2024 SOCAP Global Fellows Cohort.
The SOCAP Global Fellows Application Process and Timeline
Each year, SOCAP selects its own cohort of entrepreneurs to participate in its Fellowship Program. These individuals represent the most innovative and impactful ventures from around the world. The application process is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of less than 10%. Applications are carefully reviewed to identify founders who offer the most innovative solutions to the world’s toughest challenges and who are dedicated to fully engaging in all aspects of the program while driving deep, scalable impact. Approximately 10-15 ventures will be selected for our 2025 cohort. Applications for the 2025 cohort will be accepted from April 14 through May 19, 2025.
An advisory committee of investors reviews and selects the SOCAP Global cohort each year. They use specific criteria and apply their individual experience and knowledge of sectors and geography when reviewing applications.
Guidelines and Criteria for the SOCAP Global Fellows Cohort
The SOCAP25 Global Fellows must come from organizations that are:
- For-Profit
- Late-seed- to Series A-stage
- Actively fundraising
- Direct service providers (those that are directly creating impact in the communities that they serve — accelerators, funds, and third-party organizations are not good fits for this program)
- Legally incorporated and have been in operation for at least two years
- Integrating impact as core to their business model
- Introducing a truly unique, sustainable, and scalable solution to a challenging problem
- Looking to raise between $150,000 and $2M USD
- Generating annual revenues of at least $200,000 USD
How We Support You as a SOCAP Global Fellow
Selected SOCAP Global Fellows will receive:
- 1 ticket to attend SOCAP25
- Accommodations from Sunday, October 26, 2025, to the morning of Thursday, October 30, 2024 (SOCAP25 runs from October 27 to 29)
- Virtual Orientation Sessions which serve as a welcome as well as preparation for getting the most out of your SOCAP experience (for both the virtual and in-person activities offered)
- The opportunity to present on stage in front of all SOCAP attendees (Presenting on stage is dependent on active participation in our virtual programming leading up to the SOCAP event
- Four months of virtual programming (open to the entire team of the organization that participates in our program):
- Peer Community Building
- Investment Readiness
- Impact Measurement
- Storytelling, Pitching, and Networking
- Individualized spotlight on LinkedIn about your venture and being part of our SOCAP25 cohort
- Curated connections with funders, either virtually before SOCAP and/or in person at the event
- A dedicated SOCAP team member who is available for 1:1 advisory calls and to answer any questions you may have before, during, and after the in-person conference and who serves as your liaison and point person for SOCAP25
What the SOCAP Global Fellowship Does NOT Include
- Cost of airfare or any travel-related expenses
- Costs related to obtaining a visa to travel to the United States
- Direct funding or financing (nor guarantees that this will take place from any introductions we provide to funders)
- Any additional costs related to attending the conference
Partnership Opportunities
The SOCAP Fellowship Program also extends its support to partner cohorts of entrepreneurs and/or early-stage fund managers who receive the same benefits as SOCAP Global Fellows but with a more tailored experience. Partner cohorts gain access to a four-month virtual programming series, digital promotion leading up to the conference, and a dedicated spotlight session at the in-person event.
For Organizations Looking to Bring Cohorts of Entrepreneurs to SOCAP
Entrepreneur cohorts represent companies across all stages, sectors, and regions. If you’re an entrepreneur-support organization seeking to provide unique value and elevate your own cohort of entrepreneurs on a global stage, this partnership opportunity is for you.
For Organizations Looking to Bring Cohorts of Underrepresented Fund Managers to SOCAP
Fund Manager cohorts represent impact-focused funds who are either looking to invest in ventures or are looking for investment opportunities for their fund. They are committed to creating impact through their investments but also want to be part of a larger network of peer support. If you are an organization that supports underrepresented fund managers and wants to spotlight them on one of our stages, this partnership opportunity is for you.
How We Support Partner Entrepreneur and Partner Funder Cohorts
SOCAP Partner Entrepreneur and Funder Fellows will receive the following benefits (*subject to the level of partnership):
- All benefits listed above for the SOCAP Global Fellows
- 1:1 advisory support with SOCAP staff for their cohort
- Up to 10 curated connections leading up to the in-person event
- Dedicated Partner Booth Space in our Expo Hall at SOCAP*
- Dedicated co-designed session at SOCAP to spotlight their cohort and their organization’s work during a prime spot on our content agenda
- Spotlight blog on our website and promoted via our social networks
- Logo placement on newsletter, website, and more
- Digital QR Board at SOCAP to feature the cohort
- Complimentary tickets to SOCAP*
- Discounted tickets to SOCAP*
- Discounted add-on benefits such as access to personalized coaching, legal services, impact measurement, etc
Interested in becoming a SOCAP Entrepreneur or Funder Fellowship partner at SOCAP25? Learn more about opportunities and get in touch with SOCAP’s Executive Director of Partnerships, Tova Lobatz, here.
Learn More About the SOCAP Fellows & Fellowship Partners
- Announcing the SOCAP24 Fellowship Cohort!
- Meet 88 Impact Entrepreneurs + Watch Their Pitches at SOCAP23