Summer Fellowships
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The Post Doc of Summer Start-up Grants
As current venture capitalists, we enjoy collaborating with young entrepreneurs and guiding them to success. That’s why we created the Summer Fellowship Program, now in its fourth year: to mentor talented students like yourself and give you an opportunity to pursue your venture full-time.

Our goal is to give you the best possible chance for success: that includes office space, financial resources, connections, and guidance from experienced professionals. What you do with the opportunity is up to you. Our only requirement is that you dedicate 10 weeks of your summer to working at our office full-time.

Just so you don’t have to worry about making ends meet or finding a place to work, each winning team receives $5,000, and each individual fellow receives $10,000 to cover living and business expenses, and all teams are given space in our Lightspeed office complex in Menlo Park, CA.

The Lightspeed family is here to help your team succeed. Each winning team of 1 to 4 fellows is matched with 1 or 2 Lightspeed partners according to their interests. Of course, you should feel free to ask our other investment professionals, too, for advice and guidance on whatever you may need.

Weekly speakers and angel investors are brought in to share their experience and offer further advice about the start-up experience. Many of these speakers have become advisors to teams. In addition, we’re always happy to put you in touch with anyone else who can help.
No Obligation, No Equity
"Lightspeed is in the business of fostering entrepreneurship. We launched the Summer Fellows program in 2006 to provide students the platform they need to dedicate 100% of their time to their startup ideas. We don’t ask for equity or a right to invest; this isn’t an incubator or a formal seed program. Instead, for us it’s a privilege simply to work with such bright, energetic people at this stage in their careers. The whole team at Lightspeed is involved, we’re always tinkering to improve the format, and we look forward to expanding the program and building more relationships in years to come."
John Vrionis John Vrionis
Principal, Lightspeed Venture Partners