The Innovation Fund

• Applications accepted | April 22, 2024 - July 15, 2024
• Fellows announced | September 2024
• Five-month fellowship program | October 2024 - March 2025
• In-person showcase and final winners announced | April 2025
• Winners receive continued support and mentorship | Through May 2026

The following are considered as applications are evaluated:

• Innovators from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented among those who receive venture capital and startup funding, especially entrepreneurs who identify as women of color.
• Innovators with lived experience in the issue area they are addressing. 
• Innovators, especially those with early-stage ideas (idea, solution, pre-pilot) centered around making the ways our country serves workers more modern and inclusive are encouraged to apply. 
  • Idea - You’ve identified a critical problem facing workers and are now researching whether solutions exist.
  • Solution - You’ve begun honing in on the potential solution you want to develop (product, program, service, tool, strategy, etc.) and are scoping a prototype.
  • Pre-Pilot - You have a solution that you’ve conceptualized/designed a prototype for. Now, you’re seeking partners and seed funding for a future pilot.
  • Pilot - You’re pilot-ready or have already begun experimenting with a set of workers and are collating proof points that validate the project’s impact.
  • Implementation - You've seen initial evidence of success and are ready to expand to a larger group of workers beyond the pilot; the model is undergoing improvements based on learnings from the pilot phase.
  • Scale - You’re confident in the model and ready to apply it in a new context to reach more or different workers (broadening geographies, actualizing cross-sector applications, expanding with new partners, replicating the model, or translating the model into national or federal-level applications).
• Innovators with plans for diversified future revenue streams that support long-term sustainability.
• Innovators who need startup capital and technical support, and have ambition for their ideas to be brought to scale.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How often does The Workers Lab run the Innovation Fund?
In 2024, we are running one cycle of the Innovation Fund covering two topics. In the past, we have run up to three cycles in one year.

Who can I contact if I have any questions or need more information?
You can contact innovationfund@theworkerslab.com if you have additional questions.

ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION

What types of organizations or entities can apply?
Nearly any type of organization or entity is eligible to apply, including:

• For-profit companies
• Social enterprises (public-benefit corporations - B-Corps, etc.)
• Individual Entrepreneurs
• Co-operatives or other worker-led entities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Projects that have established a relationship with a fiscal sponsor but are not independent organizations themselves

Can past applicants apply?
Yes, we encourage past applicants to apply unless they have already received an award for the project from The Workers Lab, or were a winner in the most recent cycle of the Innovation Fund.

Are there any geographic restrictions? 
Yes, awards from the Innovation Fund are limited to organizations that have a United States Tax ID or social security number.

Are there any industry/sector restrictions?
No.

Are there any restrictions on the staff or budget size of a project or organization?
No. However, the goal of this fellowship is to invest in early-stage ideas.

Can I/we apply with more than one project? 
Yes, but please note that we will only select one project per individual/organization.

REVIEW PROCESS

How will I/we be evaluated?
On the “Selection Considerations” tab, you will find more information about the criteria and questions we use to evaluate applicants in each round. Applicants will receive an average score based on reviewer responses and reviewers will decide on fellows primarily based on top scores.

Is there an expectation that the project is self-sustaining or that it becomes incorporated (as a nonprofit, for-profit, etc.) by the end of the grant term?
No. That said, we are especially interested in projects that have thoughtfully considered long-term possibilities for the project, including pathways for independent revenue generation.

Who are the reviewers?
Reviewers in each round will include a mix of The Workers Lab staff and Board of Directors, subject matter experts, funding partners, worker-leaders, and previous winners of the Innovation Fund.

WINNERS

If selected as a winner, what can I/we use the funds for? Are there any restrictions?
Grant dollars are generally flexible, as long as they are used in support of the proposed project. Winners will be required to provide a final financial report as part of our reporting process. The Workers Lab allows indirect cost rates of up to 15% for any grant recipients.

Outside of the cash prize, what can winners expect from participation in the Innovation Fund?
At The Workers Lab, we are committed to evaluating progress, learning from successes and challenges, and ensuring that we are regularly leveraging our network to amplify the work of our amazing partners while minimizing administrative burden. With that in mind, winners are expected to participate in interim and final check-in calls, support learning outputs, as well as submit a final financial report. The Workers Lab provides mentorship, training, and other forms of organizational support where we can add value.