E+I Fellows aid regional businesses, nonprofits, startups

Eighteen regional nonprofit and commercial entities have been selected to host Grove City College students in the Spring 2025 cohort of the E+I Fellows program.

Interest in the Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I) program was strong and the response to the call for host organizations was overwhelming with 76 organizations applying for student assistance.

“With each cohort, the E+I Fellows Program continues to gain momentum, with more applications and a growing list of local organizations eager to get involved. It’s incredible to see how our host organizations leave the program not only in a stronger position but also set up for long-term success. The lasting impact of our interns is helping businesses, nonprofits, and startups thrive for months and even years to come," said Emma O'Toole '23, E+I community manager and organizer of the E+I Fellows program.  

E+I Fellows provides paid student interns to organizations and businesses in the Pittsburgh region at no cost. E+I will pay interns $25 per hour and place them with nonprofit and commercial entities that have a positive impact regionally through social innovation or economic opportunity but lack resources to hire traditional interns or employees to increase capacity and continue to grow.

Since the spring of 2024, the program has provided 75 internships while supporting 40 regional businesses across nine counties in the Western Pennsylvania region, with some businesses participating in multiple cohorts. 

In addition to the interns’ labor, hosts get help creating a detailed project plan to maximize the value of the placement for both the organization and the students involved. The E+I Fellows program is funded by a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and an anonymous donor. 

A record-setting 120 Grove City College students met with prospective employers at Preview Night on Jan. 23 in the Morledge Great Room of Rathburn Hall on campus. Students from all majors applied for internship positions.

"Preview Night was an inspiring experience for me. I met various organizations and talked to different people from diverse work backgrounds, which allowed me to tune up my conversation and networking skills. I am so glad I got the opportunity to go," said Jared Schellin '25, a Management major from Catonsville, Md. 

The organizations selected to host E+I Fellows this spring are: 

• Arise Classical Academy  —  a University-Model® classical Christian school for 9th-12th grade students in the Sewickley area   
• ContentOracle AI — building AI-powered SAAS plugins for CMS systems like WordPress and Shopify   
• Corkboard Concepts — a digital marketing agency  
• Girl Scouts of Western PA — leadership development organization for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade 
• Hardly — software for career support service providers   
• HEARTH – North Hills Affordable Housing — provides housing for mothers and children overcoming homelessness and domestic violence   
• Humotech — creates wearable machine technology including advanced prosthetics, exoskeletons, and mobility devices   
• Leadership Adventures, Inc. — enables organizations to accelerate business results through people   
• Northside Chamber of Commerce — promotes, connects, and supports the growth of Pittsburgh’s Northside businesses   
• Ortus Collective Benefit Company — an online retail collective of mission-driven businesses   
• Peters Township Chamber of Commerce — promotes, advocates, connects, and educates local businesses   
• POSE Fitness, LLC — a fitness technology company utilizing AI to analyze exercise form to prevent injuries   
• Puppy Cake, LLC — creates high quality cookie, cake, and ice cream mixes for dogs   
• Resense — creates innovative and reminiscent engagement tools for individuals living with dementia and their care partners   
• St. Barnabas Health System — offers senior care living and support services   
• The Genesis Collective — provides accessible art experiences and support for Beaver County creatives 
• United Drone Adventures — provides drone soccer programs to local schools to foster STEM career interest   
• Wolf Creek Race Management — managing endurance events to inspire movement and achieve goals  

Startups, small businesses, and nonprofits who may be interested in applying for the Fall 2025 cohort can visit gccentrepreneurship.com/future-interest-form to join the interest list. 

For more about the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation, visit gccentrepreneurship.com. 

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