Halcyon Fellows’ Impact Reaches Millions Worldwide
By • February 9, 2022 0 1513
Inclusivity and impact are two powerful driving forces behind Halcyon – a local incubator that has made headlines for its ability to nurture early-stage startups, develop forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and launch numerous businesses with social change at the forefront.
The Halcyon headquarters at 3400 Prospect St. NW is located in Halcyon House — hence the name — built by Benjamin Stoddert in 1787. Do not be intimidated by the size of the Federal-style building, the Halcyon organization consists of a tight-knit group of mentors, partners, investors, and entrepreneurs who’re always ready to take on the next compelling venture. Halcyon focuses its attention on impact-driven businesses. They embolden founders, as early as the idea stage, to take the leap of faith and make their dream of starting a business a reality. Halcyon is truly passionate about the future of social entrepreneurship, and does not take any equity from the startups they support. At Halcyon, entrepreneurs can focus solely on their mission and their plan to effectively launch their business.
Halcyon started in 2014 with its first fellowship program cohort of seven founders. Each fellow had their own idea for a business that would serve the community in an impactful way. Some of these ideas included producing quality nutritious baby food and providing access to sanitary feminine products for women in developing countries. “Every business Halcyon works with – either through a fellowship or through our investment vehicles, truly acts as an ambassador not only for Halcyon but for the bigger idea that impact is the future of business,” Nicole Weissman, director of communications at Halcyon, told The Georgetowner. In total, Halcyon fellows have created 2,000 jobs, raised almost $200 million to grow their businesses, and impacted three million lives around the world.
The Halcyon Flagship Residential Fellowship is an 18-month program divided into two phases: residency (5 months) and post-residency (13 months). In the residency phase, fellows live in the Halcyon House and participate in workshops and skill-based courses. They’re given stipends to meet initial startup costs, and they have access to consultants and legal support. Most important, the fellows are welcomed into the Halcyon network of support that includes the Halcyon Angels; a group of angel investors who lend financial support to businesses in order to help them scale and grow so their impact can extend as far as possible. In the post-residency phase, the fellows still have access to the Halcyon workspace, but are ready to go out on their own and see their ideas come to life.
Interested in becoming part of Halcyon’s next fellowship class? Applications open Feb. 16 for the fall 2022 session. “What we’d want most people to know about Halcyon is that they can be a part of what we’re doing here,” says Weissman. At Halcyon, entrepreneurs can find a home of passionate, like-minded individuals supporting each other and their ideas as they take off. Halcyon has set impactful social change into motion, and its power is only growing stronger with each new venture.
