Seeking visionary school founders
Powering the creation and growth
of high-impact private schools
The Drexel Fund delivers targeted programs to help entrepreneurs at various stages in the timeline of school development to create strong schools.
We are attracting new, entrepreneurial talent to the private school sector through events and trainings to inspire and educate. We engage entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of exploration, support the strongest candidates through a year-long fellowship prior to launch, and provide startup grants to offer operational support during the key early launch years.
In our Seed work, we are seeking disruptive breakthrough school models with the potential to change the future of education.
Early Stage Support
The Drexel Fund is developing a national community of entrepreneurs who engage in a set of experiences intended to allow Drexel to make small investments in seed stage ideas and to strengthen the prospect for the successful launch of new school models prior to potential larger investments.
Founders Program
The Drexel Fund Founders Program is a one-year fellowship that helps outstanding leaders already on the path to launching a school continue to plan and open an innovative and effective private school in one of The Drexel Fund’s target states: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
School Startup Grants
School leaders who are within a year of launch of a brand new private school that meets The Drexel Fund’s investment criteria and geographic boundaries can submit a business plan and five-year budget to be eligible for a multi-year school startup investment.
Our Seeding Process
Outreach & Inspiration
Building the entrpreneur pipeline through broad, non-selective events and trainings to inspire and educate.
Design & Test
Micro-grants and selective cohort program, delivered by trusted partners, to enable design, prototype, and testing of concept.
Build
Support and training for vetted entrepreneurs through our Founders Program or a highly customized pathway to school creation.
Launch
Grants and advice to support school startup.
Entrepreneurs may enter or exit at any stage.
