We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, but not everyone gets the same opportunity to pursue them. I know my own career wouldn’t have been possible without mentors who showed me what was achievable. I want talented, energized young people to feel they have access to, and awareness of, the incredible opportunities within entrepreneurship and venture capital—no matter where they come from.
Creating opportunity for talented, driven young professionals is what inspired us to launch the Emergence Fellows Program—a new initiative designed to empower the next generation of innovators through scholarships, mentorship, and real-world exposure to venture capital and entrepreneurship.
At Emergence, one of our core values is developing from within. It’s how we’ve built our team and how we help founders grow. The Fellows Program extends that value outward, offering financial support and opening doors for students who may not otherwise have access to business mentors or industry networks.
We’re proud to welcome our first class of Fellows: six exceptional students from UC Berkeley and Howard University—two institutions ranked among the top 10% of U.S. universities advancing social mobility and expanding opportunity in higher education.
Nearly 500 students applied across both programs, and these Fellows were selected by their universities to receive scholarships that jumpstart their professional development. Each stood out for their curiosity, creativity, and determination to use innovation and entrepreneurship as forces for change.
Please join us in congratulating our 2025–2026 Emergence Fellows:
🎓 UC Berkeley
- Giselle Soto Calderon – B.S. Business Administration, Class of ‘27
- Tina Le – B.S. Business Administration, Class of ‘27
- James Nguyen – B.S. Business Administration & Bioengineering, Class of ‘27
- Emanuel Serafin Maciel – B.S. Business Administration & Molecular and Cell Biology, Class of ‘27
🎓 Howard University
- Julian Warren – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Class of ‘27
- Aamori Freeman – B.S. Computer Science, Class of ‘27
Over the coming months, Fellows will participate in mentorship meetings and professional development sessions to build their networks and gain familiarity with the industry. They’ll also work on personal research projects, developing investment theses and exploring emerging entrepreneurial ideas born on their campuses.
The program will culminate in a summit where Fellows will share their insights and receive recognition for their work. Our goal is to expand their sense of what’s possible and support them long-term as they begin their professional journeys.
Venture capital and entrepreneurship can often feel out of reach to those without early exposure or financial access. The Fellows Program is one small but meaningful step toward changing that, helping students build the skills, relationships, and confidence to pursue their ambitions.
We’re excited to learn from this incredible group and proud to continue investing in people with the potential to shape the future.
Welcome to the Emergence family!
.jpeg)
