HiPower Founder Fellowship

Starting and growing a company is rewarding—but it can also be demanding and isolating. To help ease that journey, the HiPower Angels created the Founder Fellowship. Each year, they cover the Signature Program admissions fee for two women or nonbinary founders selected by the Angels committee.

Eligibility

  • Early-stage founders (pre-seed to Series A; company less than 5 years old)

  • Primary founder or co-founder with real decision-making authority

  • Building in sectors aligned with HiPower’s mission: leadership, equity, impact, innovation

  • Committed to participating fully in fellowship programming and events

Selection Criteria

  • Vision & Purpose – A clear, compelling vision with meaningful impact

  • Leadership Capacity – Resilience, adaptability, and team-building ability

  • Innovation – A novel product, service, or approach solving a real problem

  • Growth Potential – Evidence of traction and a path to scale

How to Apply

When completing your Signature Program application, simply select “Yes” when asked if you’d like to be considered for the Founder Fellowship, then answer a few short questions about your founder journey.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2026 Founder Fellowship are now closed.

Meet Our 2026 Founder Fellows

Karen Fleshman

fOUNDER, INTERRACIAL SISTERHOOD COALITION

Karen Fleshman’s purpose is to unite women across difference so we can secure our collective safety and freedom. Karen is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, consultant, and coach, facilitating Racy Conversations at leading companies and building interracial sisterhood at in-person retreats and in an online community, the Interracial Sisterhood Coalition.  

Throughout her career in the immigrant rights movement and youth workforce development, she led diverse teams and worked for remarkable women of color leaders who provided specific feedback on her strengths and growth areas. By emulating their practices, implementing their feedback, and listening to her teams, she transformed how she led and her teams thrived. 

Now she shares what she learned with others, guiding them through her “Becoming Trustworthy” framework. Whether you are a white woman seeking to earn the trust of women of color, or a manager seeking to create a culture of belonging on your team, Karen serves as a trustworthy guide.

Krystal Tristan

CEO, ONEHAVEN

Krystal Tristan is a mission-driven founder, mom of three, and the CEO of OneHaven, a digital safety company protecting families and seniors online. With more than 15 years of experience in program and project management, she has led large-scale initiatives across government and technology sectors, combining operational excellence with a passion for human impact.

Krystal founded OneHaven to make privacy and protection accessible to everyone, from kids getting their first device to seniors navigating digital scams. She brings a unique mix of empathy, strategy, and execution to every challenge and is deeply committed to empowering women to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.