NextGen AI Fellowship – Summer 2026

Organization

Notable Capital

Opportunity Type

Founder Fellowship / Entrepreneurship Program (Non-Employment)

Duration & Commitment

• ⏳ 8 weeks

• 📅 June – August 2026 (typically June 1 – July 31)

• 🕒 ~3 hours per week

• Format: 2 evening sessions per week

• Additional time required for Pitch Day preparation

Location

📍 Bay Area, USA (Priority)
While some sessions may be flexible, in-person participation is strongly prioritized, especially for Pitch Day and networking events.

Program Overview

The NextGen AI Fellowship is a highly curated summer program designed to develop the next generation of startup founders, particularly those interested in AI-driven companies. The fellowship equips participants with the skills, mindset, and network needed to turn bold ideas into real, venture-scale businesses.

With over 7,000 applicants annually, fellows are selected for their academic excellence, builder mindset, and entrepreneurial ambition. Technical degrees are not required, but technical thinking and the ability to build are essential.

What Fellows Will Do

Fellows will:

• Participate in a world-class entrepreneurship crash course

• Learn how to:

  • Choose high-impact startup ideas

  • Find product–market fit

  • Architect and build winning products

  • Tell compelling stories to investors

• Learn directly from AI founders, operators, and top investors

• Build alongside a cohort of high-performing, entrepreneurial peers

• Receive 1:1 mentorship from Notable Capital investors

• Pitch a startup idea to real VC judges on Pitch Day

Key Benefits

• 🎓 Hands-on founder education

• 🤝 Access to elite founder & investor networks

• 🎤 Pitch experience in front of real venture capitalists

• 🏆 Cash prizes for top Pitch Day presentations

• 🚀 Alumni outcomes include:

  • Acceptance into Y Combinator

  • Raising capital from leading VC firms

  • Recognition such as Forbes 30 Under 30

Ideal Candidates

This fellowship is best suited for:

• Undergraduate students (especially those interning during the summer)

• Aspiring founders passionate about AI and technology

• Builders (CS majors or self-taught developers)

• Students with strong curiosity, ambition, and execution ability

NextGen is most impactful for students who can pair the fellowship with a summer internship, combining real-world experience with founder education.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students or early-stage builders

• No technical degree required

• Must demonstrate:

  • Strong interest in entrepreneurship & AI

  • Ability to build or learn quickly

  • Willingness to collaborate and pitch ideas

Speakers & Mentors (Past Examples)

• Gorkem Yurtseven – Co-founder, fal

• Garrett Lord – Founder & CEO, Handshake

• Hans Tung – Managing Partner, Notable Capital

• Lisa Kay Solomon – Stanford d.school

• Christina Wallace – Harvard Business School

• Andrew Manoske – Founding PM, HashiCorp

Application Process

Applicants must complete:

1. 2 short-answer questions on founder motivation

2. Pitch video for an idea to develop during the fellowship

3. 1 video interview with the Notable Capital team

🔁 The startup idea does not need to remain the same throughout the fellowship—pivoting is expected.

Application Timeline

• 🟢 Applications open: October 2025

• 🔴 Applications close: February 2026 (approximate)

• 📅 Fellowship runs: June – August 2026

• 🎤 Pitch Day: Final weeks of the program

⚠️ Early application is strongly recommended due to high competition.

Compensation & Funding

• 💡 Fellowship is non-paid

• 🏆 Cash prizes available for winning Pitch Day teams

• 🚫 No guaranteed funding, housing, or stipend provided

Why Apply?

If you are passionate about building AI-powered startups, learning directly from top founders and VCs, and surrounding yourself with a high-talent founder community, the NextGen AI Fellowship is one of the strongest summer programs available.