Events & Community
Help plan and execute founder breakfasts, rooftop socials, build sessions, workshops, and partner programs. Projects may include guest research, attendee communication, operations, and follow-up.
The opportunity
Contribute where your strengths matter.
NYC Founders & Operators brings together more than 1,500 founders, operators, investors, and technologists. We organize founder breakfasts, rooftop socials, build sessions, workshops, and other curated programs across New York City.
Community Fellows work with Stephan Rihs and the team behind NYC Founders & Operators to take ownership of one defined project or workstream.
This is a pro bono, unpaid community fellowship for people who want to contribute to the ecosystem while building relevant experience and relationships.
Choose a track
Five ways to contribute.
Select one primary track. Strong fellows may contribute across adjacent areas.
Research & Writing
Research developments across AI, startups, venture capital, go-to-market, and the NYC technology ecosystem. Contribute to newsletters, founder resources, event briefings, and editorial projects.
Video, Editing & Social
Turn events, presentations, interviews, and written content into short videos and social posts. Help with editing, captions, packaging, and distribution.
Marketing & Outbound
Support community growth through thoughtful founder outreach, audience research, event promotion, newsletter distribution, and channel experiments.
Partnerships & Ecosystem
Research and develop relationships with investors, startup platforms, technology companies, professional services firms, universities, and other ecosystem partners.
What you will gain
Real work with visible outcomes.
The fellowship provides practical experience and meaningful exposure to the NYC startup ecosystem.
You will receive direct feedback, take ownership of a defined project, attend selected community events, and meet founders and operators across different sectors and stages. Where appropriate, your work may be published or included in a professional portfolio.
Who should apply
Curious, reliable, and ready to contribute.
This opportunity may fit students, early-career professionals, aspiring community builders, independent creators, or people between roles who want to become more involved in the NYC startup ecosystem.
You should communicate clearly, meet commitments, and be comfortable taking initiative. Previous experience in events, writing, research, marketing, video, partnerships, or student organizations is useful but not required. Strong proof of work matters more than polished credentials.
Commitment
Flexible, with clear expectations.
Time
At least five hours per week for an initial period of eight to twelve weeks.
Location
New York City participation is preferred. Fully remote participation may be considered for exceptional candidates with relevant work samples.
Schedule
Flexible. Fellows working on events should expect occasional morning or evening availability.
Program structure
This is a pro bono, unpaid fellowship. Fellows take ownership of a defined community project or workstream with guidance and feedback from the team.
Apply
Show us how you think and what you can do.
Email your CV or LinkedIn profile, a short statement of interest, your preferred track, weekly availability, and one or two relevant examples of your work.
Proof of work can include writing, research, videos, social accounts, event experience, marketing projects, student organization work, design, or something you built independently.
Subject: Community Fellow | Your Name | Preferred Track
Apply by email