Funding request for Tech Fellows

1. Diversity internships
at Techstars accelerators
cmarkl@fsu.edu
techfellows.org
Tech Fellows

2. Tech Fellows
diversifies the pipeline in
tech entrepreneurship

3. 2
Teach
After the internship, students
are hired by Florida State
University to engage in a nine-
month project to co-lead &
mentor fellow students, from
similar backgrounds, through
a colloquia class in
entrepreneurship & innovation.
1
Intern
Students, who have been
disadvantaged by virtue of
economic or educational
circumstances, gain hands-on
experience & connections in
tech entrepreneurship by
interning at a Techstars
accelerator.
3
Expand
Students who excel in the
colloquia class will become
interns the following summer,
& after internships, hired as
ambassadors the following
school year, thus creating a
virtuous cycle.
HOW IT WORKS

4. 1ST COHORT
Internship: In Summer 2016, 4 FSU students, who have been disadvantaged by
virtue of economic or educational circumstances, will intern at 3 Techstars
accelerators (Berlin, Chicago, Detroit)
Mentorship: Upon returning to school, FSU will hire interns as Entrepreneur
Ambassadors to expand the Tech Fellows program & teach 20-30 students, from
similar backgrounds, best practices in entrepreneurship
+

5. WORDS OF SUPPORT
Nicole Glaros
Chief of Products
Techstars
David Cohen
Co-founder
Techstars
"At Techstars, we’ve researched
thousands of companies we've
worked with & the results are clear:
diversity helps everyone. The Tech
Fellows program is a promising
way for us to advance inclusive
entrepreneurship.”
Ted Serbinski
Managing Director
Techstars Detroit
"For years, I wanted to build a
similar program in Boulder, I just
couldn't find the bandwidth to
locate a school, identify a student,
etc. Welcoming students from
e c o n o m i c a l l y c h a l l e n g e d
backgrounds into the Techstars
community helps them see that
their backgrounds are no longer a
disadvantage, but perhaps an
advantage."
"Techstars Mobility is thrilled to be
partnering with Florida State
University. We are proud to offer
minority students an opportunity to
learn about entrepreneurship &
innovation as we run our program
this summer in Detroit. This is just
one way we can #GiveFirst & start
to address the problem of lack of
diversity across the entire startup
& investment community."

6. Meet
Tech Fellows
1st cohort

7. JAMES
TURNER
From: Apopka, Florida
Major: Business Management
Age: 19
Why I’m excited: Tech Fellows is a opportunity that I’ll leverage to better the lives of
people in need. I feel that giving back is my main purpose in life and Tech Fellows will
provide me the skills to impact the world. I'm excited beyond belief and can't wait to
experience what I believe can change my life forever.
Future: Tech Fellows will fit into my career plans by allowing me to take advantage of
technological advances to help better the lives of youth who in return can also
contribute to making the world a better place.
James was recently
featured on PBS
national news

8. EZREYAH
BRAGDON
From: Be'er Sheba, Israel
Major: Computer and Electrical Engineering
Age: 17
Why I’m excited: This opportunity will help me develop skills I need to start my own
technology company.
Future: I plan on making a difference. By joining this program, I will acquire experience
and knowledge in this area which will later allow me to educate others and do what I
have always wanted to do which is innovate.

9. CHRISTIAN
GAYA
From: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Major: Computer Engineering
Age: 20
Why I’m excited: It is hard to imagine the immense amount of opportunities, skills, and
connections to be gained within the program. The experience itself is a perfect chance
to really invest my energy and passion to get a great deal in return.
Future: Considering that I am studying computer engineering and hope to start my
own business, this is the perfect environment to learn about the process and see first-
hand what goes on with business. Possibilities are endless, definitely creating the
chance to work with one of the participating companies in the future.

10. CHRISTIAN
PELAEZ-ESPINOSA
From: Naples, Florida
Major: Information Technology
Age: 21
Why I’m excited: I’m really excited that Tech Fellows will expose me to a network of
people who are also trying to make an impact in our world. Typically college students
fall into a college recruiting pipeline where they work at corporate companies where
there are so many “walls” set up that they are marginalized by what they can do. The
Tech Fellows program will open the door for me to experience working in a
collaborative environment which should fuel personal-growth.
Future: I’m motivated to work at a startup with a great team who's passionate about
their work. I believe that working with a great team on mediocre product/idea is better
than a mediocre team working on a great product/idea. The Tech fellows program will
expose me an environment that would curate great teams.

11. FUNDING
100% OF FUNDS GO TO STUDENTS
• $24k Cohort
• $12k 1/2 Cohort
• $6k Student
Donation options Use Benefits
• Change students’ lives &
diversify technology startups
• Scholarship named by donor
• Recognition in press &
branding
• Call(s) with student(s)
• Tax-deductible donation
• 100% of funds go
to students to
cover travel, living,
& other bills during
their internship at
Techstars

12. Diversity internships
at Techstars accelerators
cmarkl@fsu.edu
techfellows.org
Tech Fellows