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Welcome to the Surge Alumni Hub!
About Surge Angels
The mission of the Surge Institute is to educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities. Our most entrepreneurial-minded alumni desire and imagine opportunities where they can create such change outside of the system, something of their very own. But every entrepreneur needs a boost in moving their idea toward impact.
Surge Angels exists to educate and prepare rising entrepreneurs and business leaders of color in education. More specifically, these entrepreneurial go-getters all share an important core goal. These leaders of the near future, the vanguard of innovative educational solutions, all aim to increase both high-quality education options and access for low-income children. This is also the core value of Surge Institute, and Surge Angels is the means to accelerate this progressive goal. Together, we can work to ensure a brighter future for our communities.
The Angels Experience
Surge Angels is a program rooted in rigorous hard work, but with our accelerator, that means big potential for success.
Surge Angels is a six-month-long program with a cohort of up to ten Surge Alumni.
Participants will be guided and supported in business essentials, including, but not limited to, strategic planning, financial understanding, operational training, and marketing insights.
Participants will be matched with executive coaches with entrepreneurship experience.
Our updated curriculum prepares participants to launch, grow, secure funding, or apply to future accelerators and fellowships.
2027 SURGE ANGELS
2027 SURGE ANGELS
Applicant Information
Surge Angels will be returning in January 2027!
Applications will be available this Fall.
In the meantime, here are some things to keep in mind when considering applying to a future cohort.
Applications to Surge Angels should reflect ideas that are prepared to launch or have been recently launched.
Applications can be based on your Freedom Dream/Capstone Project presentations, but this is not required, as long as the venture is education- or youth-focused.
Competitive applications reflect ventures that have been refined beyond the idea phase through testing, piloting, and research. These founders have done the work to ensure their idea is viable and are ready to prove, through the application process, that their idea is launch-ready.
What's New In 2027
Through the generous support of the Margulf Foundation, the Surge Institute has partnered with 4.0 and Camelback Ventures to refine the Surge Angels experience! Here's what that means for Surge Alumni.
Life After Pitch Day: Drawing from 4.0 and Camelback, our updated curriculum prepares you to launch, grow, secure funding, or apply to future accelerators and fellowships.
Testing the Waters: Partnering with 4.0, we help test and refine your idea, building skills to iterate effectively so you create a viable solution rather than marketing an untested concept.
Building Stronger Foundations: With Camelback, we’ll focus on venture readiness and sustainability. You'll strengthen core venture fundamentals to build a durable business in a changing environment.
Launchpad to What Comes Next: The Surge Angels has been redesigned as a launchpad for future growth. It builds pathways to programs like Camelback, positioning you for continued support well beyond Pitch Night.
Key Dates and Recruitment Events
Key Dates and Recruitment Events
Mark your calendars! Here are key upcoming dates to keep in mind.
Tuesday, September 15
5 - 6:30 PM CT, virtual via Zoom
Surge Angels x 4.0 Design Dreaming Workshop
As the official launch of the 2027 Surge Angels application season, this workshop will help potential applicants name, expand, and clarify the idea they want to pursue through Surge Angels before applying.
Tuesday, September 22
3 - 4:00 PM CT, virtual via Zoom
Surge Angels Informational
Join us for our Surge Angels Informational Session to learn more about the program and explore whether it's right for you. We'll review eligibility, selection criteria, and the application process, and make time to answer your questions.
RSVP Coming Soon
Tuesday, October 6 | 3-4:00 PM CT
Tuesday, October 13 | 11-12:00 PM CT
Tuesday, October 20 | 1-2 PM CT
virtual via Zoom
Applicant Office Hours
Join us for our Surge Angels Office Hours for support with your application and to get any remaining questions answered.
RSVP Coming Soon
Monday, September 21: Applications Open
Tuesday, September 22 (3-4 PM CT): Informational Session; see details above
Tuesdays, October 6, 13, and 20 (See details above): Applicant Office Hours; see details above
Friday, October 23: Applications Due; no late applications will be accepted
On or around Wednesday, November 11: Finalist Interview Invitations Sent
On or around November 16-20: Finalist Interviews
On or around Monday, November 30: Selection Notifications Sent
The Post Angels Experience
Founders Workshop Series
The Founders Workshop Series offers sessions specifically curated for the Angels cohort in the year following their graduation. These sessions are designed based on the founders' expressed needs, focusing on venture-related skills. The goal is to enhance professional development through networking and collective learning experiences.
All Founders Workshops are open to every Surge alumni.
Entrepreneurs and Founders Alumni Affinity Group
This Affinity Group is a space for Surge alumni building ventures, organizations, or initiatives to exchange ideas, access support, and grow alongside fellow builders.
Affinity Groups are open to every Surge alumni.
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