Snow Entrepreneurs – fellowships for social change

The 2023 intake is now closed, with the cohort announced in September. Sign up to our newsletter if you would like to be notified when we release information and eligibility for the next intake (likely 2025). Meet the 2022 Snow Entrepreneurs here.

The Snow Entrepreneurs – fellowships for social change are an opportunity for eight entrepreneurial leaders to receive funding and wrap-around support for their early-stage initiatives tackling disadvantages in new ways.

The fellowships are a celebration of our own entrepreneurial beginnings, and those of our founder Terry Snow AM, as well as our long-term commitment to backing inspiring leaders and teams with innovative ideas to address social problems.

You can download the full Application Guidelines here  

Our intention is to:

• provide generous, flexible support – responsive to need
• build long-term, trusting partnerships
• fast-track growth and build solid foundations for sustainability
• enable significant impact in the lives of many

In the first year, each Snow Entrepreneur will receive:

$100-200k grant funding

Professional wrap-around support including:

• A mentor matched to your needs
• A diagnostic session with a consultant, identifying strengths and areas for development
• Expert advisory services to address specific challenges
• Informal support and connections
• Three-day leadership retreat
• Antler Academy for Snow Entrepreneurs – 12-week program of masterclasses and interactive sessions with an Antler expert

Mentors and advisory services are provided by the Social Impact Hub

Antler Academy for Snow Entrepreneurs is delivered by Antler.co venture capital fund

Selection criteria

• Addressing a gap: demonstrated community need that few others are addressing or that is less visible
• Innovative: addressing entrenched problems in new ways
• Inspiring people: Strong, capable and credible leaders and teams who are passionate and persistent in pursuing their goals; lived experience is a plus
• Realistic vision for growth and sustainability: initiatives that will pursue self-generated income will be considered favourably

Eligibility

• Addressing disadvantage: Organisations must have a social purpose and benefit disadvantaged or at-risk populations
• Within the Snow Foundation focus areas: homelessness, housing affordability, domestic and family violence, education, life skills, employment pathways, addiction, disability, mental health and for-purpose capacity building
• National or potential for national impact: and importantly, initiatives must benefit people in our key regions (ACT, Sydney, NSW South Coast) directly or indirectly
• Early stage, already operating: initiatives must already be operating and have been in market for less than three years
• Current revenue for your initiative must be less than $1m p.a. (self-generated revenue is a plus, but not a requirement)
• Organisations must be registered in Australia (DGR and charitable status are not a requirement)

Exclusions

• We do not accept applications for initiatives that are primarily focused on environment, animals, arts or overseas beneficiaries.

Please ensure you can be available on the following dates should you be selected:

• 7-17 August 2023: Zoom interviews
• 30 August 2023: Selection panel interview
• 8-10 November: Snow Entrepreneurs Leadership Retreat