Give the gift of possibility.
Opportunities for Fellows, funded by Fellows. We created the Access Initiative to remove barriers blocking people from getting started in tech. Join us with a donation to reach even more high potential builders and leaders.
Opening 1,000 doors
The Access Initiative exists to open doors that for far too long and for far too many have remained closed.
We are proud to announce the Access Initiative's s inaugural giving campaign. The On Deck network has welcomed 1,100 Fellows thanks to the generosity of our community. By donating to the Access Initiative, you continue to remove barriers for those who don’t have the background, network, or resources typically found in tech today.
For every person founding or working on an impactful company or cause today, there are thousands more who should be, but can't. The Access Initiative is how we unlock opportunity and get these incredibly talented leaders and builders in business.
$1,000,000 in funding to welcome 1,000 Fellows into On Deck
In its first year, the Access Initiative has awarded more than $1,000,000 in scholarships in support of nearly 1,100 Fellows with the funding provided by community members. On Deck has pledged $1,000,000 in matching funds. And we’re just getting started.
Strengthen flywheels for the entire community.
By donating to the Access Initiative, you unlock scholarships, support for future founders to take the leap to start a company, and the ability for high potential talent to find their next game changing role.
When you donate, the entire Fellow community wins. Whether it’s more talent in the community, an amazing Masterminds group member, a connection to potential customers or hires, the On Deck network wins.
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By purchasing a NFT, you are supporting the On Deck Access Initiative. All NFT proceeds from the Generation (n)Zero Collection will go the On Deck Access Initiative.
Limited Edition On Deck Socks
We know how much the On Deck community loves their socks…
Want to represent the “spirit of service” of the On Deck community?
Donate any amount above $50 and we’ll send you a pair of limited edition socks
FAQ
On Deck’s mission is to expand the startup economy. We’re creating the world’s best support ecosystem for founders, operators, investors, and partners. For every person founding or working on an impactful company or cause today, there are hundreds who should be, but can't.
In September 2020 we announced the On Deck Access Fund to support underserved talent in tech through scholarships and up to $1M in matched donations from On Deck.
Today, the On Deck Access Initiative provides scholarships, establishes partnerships, and provides runway to high-potential builders who are just getting started in tech.
The On Deck Access Initiative is dedicated to supporting people who have the talent and drive to build great startups and progress their careers in technology, but lack the typical background or resources to do so.
Here’s how it works:
- A Fellow applies and is accepted to participate in an On Deck program.
- Once accepted, the Fellow can work with the On Deck team to determine need and potentially a scholarship award.
- Once Fellows are “off deck” again — having either found a job or started a company — we encourage them to contribute back to the Access Initiative to provide support for future Fellows.
Through more than $1,000,000 in scholarship funding, the On Deck Access Initiative has enabled more than 1,100 high potential leaders to join the On Deck community to build and grow together.
It has so far in 2021 raised $1,000,000 in support from Fellows. Donors to the Access Initiative include Fellows who received a scholarship and now have the means to pay it forward and Fellows who didn’t apply for a scholarship, but are committed to unlocking opportunity for talent across the world.
Alongside the announcement of ODX, the Access Initiative is launching Runway Grants, an innovative funding opportunity for more ambitious, talented founders who are currently blocked from building their businesses by financial barriers.
On Deck has a partnership with Overflow to process online donations. This allows for contributions to go directly to our nonprofit partner supporting the financial administration of the Access Initiative. Overflow was founded by On Deck Founder Fellows Vance Roush (ODF2) and Kyle Woumn (ODF3) with a mission to inspire the world to give.
Thank you for the great question!
The best way to get matched up with opportunities is to email the Access Initiative team (Nate and Kelly) at accessinitiative@beondeck.com.
Fellows apply for a scholarship after being selected to join an On Deck program. Scholarship applications are reviewed by the Access Initiative team independently from any program admission decision. You will learn more about the scholarship application after acceptance into the program.
- Visit www.beondeck.com/access-initiative
- Read our 2021 mid-year “Launch Report”
- Review the Twitter Thread that announced the Access Initiative
- Reach out to the team at accessinitiative@beondeck.com