EquityTech Fellowship (2026)
Halcyon’s 2026 EquityTech Fellowship will serve founders across the globe who are tackling pressing challenges in EdTech and the Future of Work. Through a hybrid programming format, selected entrepreneurs will attend a one-week, in-person residency in Washington, DC, five virtual programming days, and a final one-week, in-person residency in Pittsburgh, PA.
Sectors
Solutions leveraging technology to increase social and financial inclusion and close equity gaps in education, wealth, and accessibility. Sub-sectors include:
- EdTech: Solutions that leverage digital tools and technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes, enhance accessibility and educational access, and remove financial barriers to education.
- EdTech solutions span K-12, higher education, corporate training, and lifelong learning, integrating AI, data analytics, and immersive technologies to enrich educational experiences.
- Future of Work: Technological solutions that expand job market access for all communities and technologies that enable individuals of all abilities to thrive in the workplace.
- Future of Work solutions include upskilling and reskilling tech, as well as technologies and business models that enhance workforce analytics, collaboration, and well-being, often leveraging AI, automation, and digital platforms.
Benefits
- $10K in Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) credits
- $6K equity-free stipend per venture
- Workshops with experts in product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership
- Professional advisors
- Networking with investors and varied stakeholders in EquityTech
- Access to Halcyon’s global community of 600+ founders
- Continued benefits after your program—see our Alumni page for more
Program Structure & Timeline
The final cohort is selected from 10 ventures across the world. The program is delivered in a hybrid modality through a virtual kickoff meeting, two one-week, in-person residencies in the US, and four additional virtual programming days.
Founders receive training in Halcyon’s methodology on product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership, as well as access to critical resources and connections to accelerate their ventures.
Timeline:
- Late December, 2025: Finalists invited to a virtual pitch
- Mid-Late January, 2026: Selected founders notified
- February 18th, 2026: Virtual Program Kickoff
- March 6th-March 13th, 2026: Residency Week #1 in Washington, DC
- April 2nd, 2026: Virtual Meeting #2
- April 15th, 2026: Virtual Meeting #3
- May 13rd, 2026: Virtual Meeting #4
- May 27th, 2026: Virtual Meeting #5
- June 5th-June 12th, 2026: Residency Week #2 in Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility
We’re looking for for-profit startups building scalable solutions tackling pressing EdTech and Future of Work challenges worldwide.
- Location: Global
- Stage: Must have a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a realistic potential to scale. Applicants must demonstrate early user feedback or evidence of early commercial validation, such as pilots, LOIs, or revenue.
- Team:
- May apply with up to one Co-Founder.
- Applicant must be the CEO or hold primary decision-making power.
- Must be fluent in English (programming will be in English).
- Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program.
- Program Engagement: Applicant(s) must commit to participating in all residencies, program activities, events, and in-person and virtual sessions.
- Impact: Must be developing a product and venture which contributes towards one or more of the UN’s 17 SDGs.
In addition, Halcyon scores each application based on four criteria: 1) Impact, 2) Scalability, 3) Innovation, and 4) Talent. For more on our eligibility criteria, visit our Applicants page.
Ready to Apply?
It’s now easier than ever to apply to Halcyon with our eligibility form. Fill out this eligibility form between October 31st-November 20th, 2025 to be considered for our 2026 EquityTech Fellowship. If your eligibility application meets our criteria and is a fit for the program, you’ll be invited to complete a second-round, invitational application.
Interested in Halcyon, but not the right fit for our EquityTech Fellowship? Submit your eligibility form today, and our team will contact you when a fellowship opens that aligns with your venture.