Watch CBS News

Automation Alley, Foundation To Offer Fellowships With Startups

TROY -- Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, is the new host organization for the Adams Entrepreneur Fellowship. This unique program will match recent talented college and university graduates with early-stage companies in the region.

Goals of the program are to highlight entrepreneurism as a viable career choice and to help build a thriving community of serial entrepreneurs while adding innovative high-growth enterprises -- both of which will contribute to strengthened regional growth and additional entrepreneurial opportunities.

"This fellowship connects potential entrepreneurs with employment opportunities and mentoring, offering supported experiential learning of the first order," said Automation Alley senior director Thomas Anderson, who will coordinate the program in collaboration with Adams Entrepreneur Fellowship Director Terry Cross, a serial entrepreneur and investor with deep experience in identifying, coaching and placing young entrepreneurs.

The Adams Entrepreneur Fellowship will provide opportunities for fellows to engage with early-stage companies at the management level with mentoring support from company management and the program coordinators in a highly entrepreneurial experience. In addition to daily job responsibilities, fellows will be encouraged to participate in local entrepreneurial, business development and leadership events, taking advantage of the many programs already in existence in Southeast Michigan. In particular, fellows will be given opportunities to network with one another and with other young emerging leaders in the region.   Host company selection will focus on smaller, growing companies with expanding revenue and strong management already in place, providing an environment that is both supportive and challenging, and where fellows can engage with management at a strategic level.

The Adams Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program was created through the support of the Ann and Carmen Adams Fund of the Community Foundation, with the purpose of developing the entrepreneurial skills of young people, encouraging talented young people to go into private business, and encouraging the economic development of southeastern Michigan.

Since 2001, the fellowship program has provided support to eight institutions for entrepreneurial education, including undergraduate and graduate fellowship programs. These programs have offered fellows placement in startup companies, family businesses, and student-run business competitions, and have given them exposure to other entrepreneurial development activities occurring at their institutions.

Recent college or university graduates interested in applying should visit www.automationalley.com/page?pageid=a0E600000055Ihf.

In addition to the application form, applicants are required to submit a resume, academic transcripts, copy of diploma, letters of personal recommendation, an essay discussing why they should be selected as an Adams Entrepreneurial Fellow, proof of citizenship or employability and a signed release form for background check.

Three fellowships will be awarded each year through a competitive application process. The Adams Entrepreneurial Fellowship will provide an annual stipend, including benefits, placement in a startup enterprise, ongoing mentoring and coaching, and engagement in entrepreneurial development workshops.

For more information, contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at (800) 427-5100 or adamsfellow@automationalley.com.

Automation Alley is a technology business association promoting Southeast Michigan. Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley has expanded to include nearly 1,000 businesses, educational institutions and government entities from the City of Detroit and the surrounding eight county region. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through entrepreneurial and exporting assistance, workforce development and technology acceleration.

For additional information, visit www.automationalley.com.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $492 million through nearly 40,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties.

For more information, visit www.cfsem.org.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.