Our Patterson Fellows initiative is expansive. Please review our frequently asked questions to learn more about the program and to better understand if you would be a good fit for a Fellow.
The application will be open to all entrepreneurs focused on building innovative solutions for societal rural problems. Of most interest will be solutions focused on:
Solutions that reduce costs, increase revenues, or introduce sustainable new technologies in agriculture and the environment.
Solutions, innovations, and tools for building and establishing cost-effective housing options that will grow community populations.
Developing health solutions that address gaps, improve access and bridge disparities for rural residents.
Solutions for the physical and digital flow of goods across the state.
Other solutions that solve societal problems for rural communities that will enhance economic and social impacts.
No, we are open to considering all innovative solutions that will have systemic impact on the identified areas of interest. Selected Fellows will be expected to build their business idea in such a way that they are fully self-sustaining by the end of their fellowship in year three.
The Fellows program is looking for entrepreneurial ideas that have large market potential for growth and/or are models that can expand in a repeatable fashion to reach a broad population regardless of geography.
The Foundation is looking for all business ideas that are genuinely focused on improving the lives and economies of those in their catchment area. Applicants’ businesses can be located anywhere but the work they are proposing as a Fellow must be done within the catchment and is intended to remain in the catchment.
Applications for the Patterson Fellows program will be accepted through August 23, 2026. In addition to detailed questions to showcase your business and the solution you are building, you will be asked to provide a short video speaking to the impact of your solution on rural communities.
If selected to move on to the semi-finalist round of applications, you will be asked to make a 10 minute presentation to a team of evaluators, accompanied by 20 minutes of Q & A and a personal interview. Selections will be made in October, and structured fellowship programming will begin in January 2027.
The Patterson Fellows Program is designed to provide significant support, access to resources, network connections and industry expertise to assist in the growth of a Patterson Fellow’s business. In addition to the financial support of $100k per year for three years, all Fellows will receive:
The Foundation will choose five businesses to be the inaugural class. A new cohort of five will be selected each year, and each new cohort will run for three years.
During first year of the program, each Patterson Fellow will also receive a spot as a Fellow in the Pipeline Entrepreneurs program. This is a highly competitive selection and a commitment to orientation and four in-person quarterly modules is required. Each module is three-days long and typically occurs in February, June, September and November. An annual pitch showcase and Innovators Gala is held for the Fellows in conjunction with the February module. Exact dates for 2027 will be shared in the Fall.
The rest of the Patterson Fellows programming will be offered in both virtual and in-person formats to balance a business’ ability to make progress as well as connection to the cohort.
The Patterson Family Foundation is looking for entrepreneurs who are focused on solving systemic problems for rural communities. Companies should show a commitment to building a business that creates societal impact through solutions that enrich and stabilize rural populations.
Applications will be reviewed on several criteria such as but not limited to: feasibility and impact of the solution, management team, business model, plan to go to market and scale reach, how the business will contribute to rural prosperity.
No, the Foundation will not receive an equity position in exchange for the monetary compensation offered to Fellows.
Yes, a grantee employee who is working on an entrepreneurial business idea, separate from the work done at the grantee organization, would be able to apply to the Fellows program with their entrepreneurial business.
The application process will take on average 45 – 60 minutes to complete with the option to save your responses as you advance through the application. Questions will include written answers and a 2-3 minute video introduction. You can view the application questions here.
