University FAQs

 InSITE for Universities

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Whare are the criteria used to select InSITE Fellows?

InSITE is an application based fellowship exclusively working with graduate level students. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to participate in the program for three full semesters and exude a genuine passion for entrepreneurship and venture capital. Applicants represent the “best of the best” – from a standpoint of intellectual capability as well as curiosity. Fellows are expected to honor deadlines and create high-quality deliverables on behalf InSITE’s  partner companies and through independent research projects. All Fellows are expected to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in their professional and personal dealings with others. 

2. What are the characteristics of companies that host projects?

Companies that host projects are typically early-stage technology startups or venture capital firms. Fellows also start their own companies. Regardless of what type of company is involved, Fellows seek and want to retain dynamic companies for project work. InSITE often attracts firms with new technology or those that have a new take on an existing market. Companies can be pre-revenue as well as revenue generating. Each company must have a genuine interest in working with Fellows to ensure all parties enjoy the experience and mutually benefit from the engagement.

3. How does sponsorship work?

InSITE operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and depends upon contributions to fund its operations. InSITE offsets its operational costs through partnership contributions made by startup companies and venture capital firms that host projects for Fellows, service providers, such as law firms, that sponsor branded programming, and by universities that host chapters on campus. Sponsors also make in-kind contributions by providing space for events, connections for internships, and a general commitment to advance the organization’s mission.

4. How does governance work? 

The InSITE Fellowship is first and foremost a student-run organization. That said, InSITE has put in place a governance process to be used for new chapter initiatives. Initially, InSITE’s Board of Directors works hand-in-hand with a representative designated by the university to select a cohort of students who will serve as chapter leaders. The Board then appoints a staff member and an InSITE alumnus to supervise and guide leaders as they recruit the first class of Fellows, find companies to host projects, complete projects, and deliver on-campus programming throughout the academic year. Typically within 2-3 years, the chapter becomes substantially self-governing as students document processes for completing core tasks, recruit new leaders, and pass on to the next class best leadership practices for the chapter. The Board and InSITE’s staff maintain supervisory responsibility for the chapter as needed and requested by the Fellows for as long as the chapter operates on campus.