Welcoming the New First-Year Innovation Fellowship Cohort!
Welcoming the New FYIF Cohort
The First Year Innovation Fellowship (FYIF) program offers early stage innovators at BU a unique opportunity to explore, innovate, and form meaningful connections . This year, we are thrilled to welcome 39 first-year students to the FYIF cohort to embark on this 9-month journey with Innovate@BU. More than 40% of the group is comprised of international students, and our cohort represents over five of BU’s colleges. It’s safe to say these innovators are ready to bring their diverse perspectives, experiences, and academic disciplines to the FYIF program.
Getting Started!
The FYIF cohort got to mingling on Tuesday, October 1st at their orientation event, marking the official start of the program. Under the guidance of Program Director Nana Younge, Program Marketing Specialist Zoe Marsiglia, and new FYIF Student Program Lead Yeabsera Mekebeb, the event set tone for the exciting and inspiring months ahead.
Fostering community is a key component of the FYIF program, and no time was wasted as fellows dove right into icebreakers and group activities. These activities weren’t just about breaking the ice—they were the first steps in building a supportive and collaborative community where student innovators could thrive.
From workshops to mentorship to project development, the next 9 months are packed with exciting events and projects for the FYIF cohort. We invite you to follow their journey on Innovate@BU’s platforms, where updates and insights will be shared regularly.
“We are incredibly excited to watch this talented group of fellows grow, both in their ideas and in their confidence as innovators. Being a student founder is no easy journey—it requires resilience, creativity, and a strong support system. Through the First Year Innovation Fellowship, we hope to provide not only the resources and opportunities they need to develop their ventures but also a community where they can thrive. Our goal is for every fellow to leave this program transformed, empowered to take on the challenges of building something new and impactful.” Stay tuned as we keep you updated on their innovative journeys and witness what we are certain will be a remarkable ripple of impact.”-Nana Younge, Program Director.
