Application Deadline: December 15, 2021
Making technology work for democracy is a defining challenge of our time. Election interference on social media, disinformation, deep fakes, pandemic surveillance, and illicit facial recognition are all dangers to democracy from the wrong uses of technology. Our fellowship is established against this backdrop with an aim to support tech entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to democracies’ problems. We recognize the need to build from the bottom up, while bringing out what the free world does best: innovation, entrepreneurship and new ideas. The fellowship is driven by three key elements; collective learning masterclasses, peer to peer mentor sessions, and building strong networks among entrepreneurs.
The fellowship is a six-month virtual and in-person program that seeks to equip Democracy tech entrepreneurs from emerging democracies with the know-how of starting and scaling successful, and democratically driven ventures.
Eligibility
- Applicants should have started a scalable business based on an innovation that meets our Democracy Tech criteria. See the FAQ section below.
- Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
- Applicants should be able to submit a 1 minute elevator pitch about them or their venture.
- Applicants should be available for entirety of the fellowship. See the FAQ section for exact dates.
- Applicants should come from one of the target countries: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia.
- Applicants should demonstrate commitment to democratic values.
Application Procedure
Six carefully curated Democracy Tech entrepreneurs from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Armenia will go through two phases of the fellowship.
In the first phase, the fellows will attend bi-weekly collective master classes, where alongside traditional entrepreneurship classes, they will learn ways to integrate more democratic principles and process in their innovations and ventures. These lessons will be supplemented by bi-weekly mentor sessions, where the fellows will be matched with successful entrepreneurs from Denmark’s start-up ecosystem.
In phase two, the fellows will be invited to Copenhagen, starting at the COPENHAGEN DEMOCRACY SUMMIT, to build strong networks with policy makers and the start-up ecosystem in Denmark. Here they will meet with their mentors, pitch to investors, and visit a few selected partner hubs and companies. Winning fellows will be awarded at the closing event. Follow up sessions will be conducted post-Copenhagen visit and an alumni network will be established to support the fellows beyond the fellowship.
Official Website: The Democracy Tech Entrepreneur Fellowship
