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Student Entrepreneurial Fellows Program

The Student Entrepreneurial Fellows Program is a true boots‑on‑the‑ground experience where graduate and PhD students step directly into the world of startup creation, working alongside founders, innovators, and TLA’s seasoned Mentors‑in‑Residence (MIRs) to help launch companies built on UArizona inventions. This is not a classroom exercise or a theoretical internship; this is a hands‑on venture development, giving Fellows the chance to evaluate early-stage technologies, discuss concepts that drive design thinking, apply customer discovery methods, develop business and financial models, engage in the daily operations of a startup, shadow the MIRs in mentoring activities, and serve as TLA ambassadors on campus and in the community to promote commercialization activities.

For their impact, Fellows are able to select to be compensated either via an hourly wage or they may be considered for a $10,000 Graduate Tuition Scholarship through the U of A Graduate College. 

TLA is seeking to fill four (4) Entrepreneurial Fellow positions, so if you’re driven, curious, and ready to make a real impact, apply below to ignite your entrepreneurial journey.

Got questions about the program? Contact us.

"Being able to see all the nitty gritty details and how hard inventors work, everyone here at the venture development team works is really neat and has allowed me to expand my knowledge and horizon on what is possible."
Leiden Huber, Student, Master of Science in Finance and TLA Student Entrepreneurial Fellow

Apply for the 2026/2027 school year! 

Apply throughHandshake (search for job #11168207)

Duties & Responsibilities

Students are asked to commit 10 hours per week. Their responsibilities will include: 

  • Attend startup meetings and help with follow-up actions 

  • Conduct industry research that may span multiple projects in the portfolio 

  • Work with MIRs to develop startup materials; this may include developing the value proposition, financial model, business model, executive summary, pitch deck, company descriptors, or other materials as determined by the team 

  • Attend workshops and training sessions with startups as schedule permits 

  • Attend campus and community events with TLA where appropriate and as schedule permits 

  • Attend regular meetings with the Venture Development team to discuss ongoing projects 

Are You Eligible

  • Must be a graduate student or PhD student (students in a GA or faculty ancillary position may not qualify depending on FTE commitments) 

  • Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident 

  • Ability to commit to working 10 hours per week 

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written 

  • Ability and willingness to contribute ideas and thoughts to the Venture Development team 

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects 

  • Ability to take initiative and be a self-starter 

  • Ability to independently manage several tasks and projects simultaneously 

  • Ability to execute work with thoroughness and attention to detail 

  • Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment 

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word 

Compensation & Scholarship Opportunities 

Fellows may be compensated either via an hourly wage or they may be considered for a $10,000 Graduate Tuition Scholarship through the U of A Graduate College. 

Get all the details on the Graduate College website