$24,000 in Funding & Support for Digital Entrepreneurs – New_ Public

The New_ Public Entrepreneur in Residence Programme is a three-month virtual residency for entrepreneurs developing new technology that could create healthier online communities and better ways for people to connect and access local information. Two entrepreneurs will be selected for the pilot cohort.

Here’s what you can expect:

• $22,500 stipend over three months

• An additional $1,500 towards an AI coding tool

• $24,000 total financial support per resident

• No equity taken

• Hands-on product and strategy support

• Office hours with senior New_ Public staff

• Advice from external experts

• Access to five years of research covering platform design, moderation, governance and community stewardship

• Introductions to technology companies, startups, researchers and philanthropic partners

• Potential introductions for user testing, partnerships, product feedback and fundraising

• In-person cohort retreat in Philadelphia, with travel expenses covered

• Time to prototype, test assumptions and develop an early idea into a viable product.

Who can apply?

• Entrepreneurs based in the United States, Canada or Mexico

• Solo founders and individual entrepreneurs

• People with an early-stage idea are welcome — a working product isn't required

• Applicants should be interested in building healthier social technology

• Ideas should focus on human-to-human connection, local and civic information environments, or both

• Applicants should ideally be able to work full-time on their project during the residency

• Applicants must be available for the October onboarding in Philadelphia.

The current pilot isn't open to UK founders, but New_ Public says it plans to open the programme to UK and EU applicants from Spring 2027.

Deadline: 9 September 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.