Mentorship Opportunities in North America
Discover handpicked technology programs for mentorship.
South Park Commons Fellowship
Fellowship-style community program investing $400,000 for 7% equity + $600K follow-on.
Afore Grants
100% non‐dilutive microgrants of $1,000 for high‐agency builders aged 21 or younger in North America, paired with mentorship and program support.
PearX
12-week accelerator by Pear VC investing $250K–$2M in each startup.
LAUNCH Accelerator
$125K for 6–7% equity; 14-week accelerator founded by Jason Calacanis.
UCSB Research Mentorship Program 2026
The UCSB Research Mentorship Program is a competitive summer research program for high school students, enabling them to work on interdisciplinary, hands‑on research projects under mentorship and earn university credit.
OpenAI Converge
6-week AI startup summit with $1M equity investment from OpenAI's Startup Fund.
AngelPad
10-week accelerator (NYC/SF) offering $120K for 7% equity.
The Exponential Fellowship
A paid fellowship that places exceptional young Spanish builders at fast-growing U.S. startups — visa, flights and insurance handled, with full U.S. pay and access to mentorship and community.
Betaworks AI Camp
$500K investment from a Betaworks-led syndicate for AI startups.
Boost VC
Deep tech accelerator investing $500,000 for ~15% equity.
South Park Commons Fellowship
Fellowship-style community program investing $400,000 for 7% equity + $600K follow-on.
Afore Grants
100% non‐dilutive microgrants of $1,000 for high‐agency builders aged 21 or younger in North America, paired with mentorship and program support.
PearX
12-week accelerator by Pear VC investing $250K–$2M in each startup.
LAUNCH Accelerator
$125K for 6–7% equity; 14-week accelerator founded by Jason Calacanis.
UCSB Research Mentorship Program 2026
The UCSB Research Mentorship Program is a competitive summer research program for high school students, enabling them to work on interdisciplinary, hands‑on research projects under mentorship and earn university credit.
OpenAI Converge
6-week AI startup summit with $1M equity investment from OpenAI's Startup Fund.
AngelPad
10-week accelerator (NYC/SF) offering $120K for 7% equity.
The Exponential Fellowship
A paid fellowship that places exceptional young Spanish builders at fast-growing U.S. startups — visa, flights and insurance handled, with full U.S. pay and access to mentorship and community.
Betaworks AI Camp
$500K investment from a Betaworks-led syndicate for AI startups.
Boost VC
Deep tech accelerator investing $500,000 for ~15% equity.
What You'll Find
- Average funding: $435k per opportunity
- Average duration: 5 months
- North America: North American programs offer access to one of the world's largest tech ecosystems, with opportunities in Silicon Valley, New York, and emerging tech hubs.
- Mentorship: Mentorship-focused programs connect you with experienced industry leaders who provide guidance, advice, and support throughout your journey.
Benefits
- $120,000 seed investment for ~7% equity
- 12-week AI-focused accelerator program
- 10-week intensive accelerator
- J-1 US visa assistance (visa, typically insurance and flights covered)
- Paid U.S. placements — fellows typically earn U.S. salaries (reported range: $80,000–$150,000)
Application Tips
- Start preparing your application materials well in advance of deadlines to ensure quality submissions
- Research each program thoroughly to understand their specific requirements and what they're looking for
- Reach out to program alumni or current participants to gain insights into the application process
UCSB Research Mentorship Program 2026
The UCSB Research Mentorship Program is a competitive summer research program for high school students, enabling them to work on interdisciplinary, hands‑on research projects under mentorship and earn university credit.
The Exponential Fellowship
A paid fellowship that places exceptional young Spanish builders at fast-growing U.S. startups — visa, flights and insurance handled, with full U.S. pay and access to mentorship and community.
OpenAI Converge
6-week AI startup summit with $1M equity investment from OpenAI's Startup Fund.
Betaworks AI Camp
$500K investment from a Betaworks-led syndicate for AI startups.
AngelPad
10-week accelerator (NYC/SF) offering $120K for 7% equity.
The Mint (BTV)
10-week fintech accelerator; invests $500K for 10% SAFE.
LAUNCH Accelerator
$125K for 6–7% equity; 14-week accelerator founded by Jason Calacanis.
PearX
12-week accelerator by Pear VC investing $250K–$2M in each startup.
South Park Commons Fellowship
Fellowship-style community program investing $400,000 for 7% equity + $600K follow-on.
Boost VC
Deep tech accelerator investing $500,000 for ~15% equity.
Afore Grants
100% non‐dilutive microgrants of $1,000 for high‐agency builders aged 21 or younger in North America, paired with mentorship and program support.