In July 2025, Refraction Innovation Hub and John Cabot University established a partnership to create a unique online fellowship program that offers JCU students direct exposure to the world of entrepreneurship, startups, and innovation in the United States. The Refraction Innovation Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while contributing to the growth of early-stage ventures within the Northern Virginia startup ecosystem.
Through this fellowship, students will engage in a semester-long program focused on:
Fellows will work closely with Refraction’s team and its diverse network of founders and innovation leaders, building cross-cultural communication skills and practical knowledge of startup marketing practices.
This fellowship exemplifies JCU’s commitment to providing transformative, real-world learning experiences. We encourage all qualified students to apply and explore this exciting opportunity to build their professional portfolio in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
For more details, please consult the job description below.
Refraction is an award-winning technology innovation hub in the greater Washington D.C. region, working with both private and public sector partners, including Amazon, Cox, Dominion Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Virginia Tech, Northern Virginia Community College. Refraction supports and mentors great startups and high-growth companies to help create jobs in the region. In the last 11 years, Refraction has supported more than 500 companies that have collectively raised more than $1 million in capital.
The program will last for the entire Fall or Spring semester in which the student participates.
Fellowship start date: October 1, 2025
Fellowship end date: week 14 of the semester
Application Opens: September 1, 2025
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
Students will work on one or more (sequential) projects defined by Refraction, in collaboration with Refraction member startups or other stakeholders in the Refraction ecosystem.
As the internship is conducted remotely, it does not qualify for academic credit.
The application process is divided into three phases:
All applications will go through the Center for Career Services. Should the student apply directly to the partner company/organization, JCU will not be able to take care of the necessary paperwork and insurance activation.
Job Title
Refraction Innovation Fellow
About the Host Organization
Refraction is an award-winning technology innovation hub in the greater Washington, DC region, working with both private and public sector partners (including Amazon, Cox, Dominion Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Virginia Tech, Northern Virginia Community College) to support and mentor great startups and high-growth companies to help create jobs in the region. In the last 11 years, Refraction has supported more than 500 companies that have collectively raised more than $1 million in capital.
Fellowship Summary
The Refraction Fellowship offers JCU students a flexible, remote internship experience with direct exposure to the U.S. startup and innovation ecosystem. Fellows will work on real-world projects supporting Refraction member startups or internal initiatives focused on innovation, business development, and community engagement. Projects may include marketing strategy, market research, software development, business process improvement, or community building, depending on the student’s background and interests.
This opportunity is designed to give Fellows practical experience in entrepreneurship, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional communication while deepening their understanding of the U.S. business environment.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on placement, responsibilities may include:
Requirements
Qualifications
Professional Development Opportunities
Application Process
Submit your CV, transcript, and a personal statement outlining your interest and qualification through the following Application Form using your johncabot.edu account.
For further questions about the opportunity, please contact the director of the JCU Institute for Entrepreneurship at [email protected]. For questions related to the internship management process, please contact [email protected].
Do I need technical skills to apply?
Not necessarily. While some projects may require technical knowledge (e.g., coding or use of tools like HubSpot or Canva), there are also many opportunities for students with non-technical backgrounds in areas such as research, marketing, brand strategy, and digital content creation.
Can I do this internship for academic credit?
No. As the Refraction Fellowship is fully remote, it does not meet JCU’s requirements for for-credit internships. However, it offers valuable hands-on professional experience that can still enhance your resume and learning.
How much time will the internship require?
Fellows are expected to work approximately 140–150 hours over the semester. This may be through one substantial project or a series of 2–3 sequential shorter projects, depending on availability and matching with Refraction’s partner startups.
Who can apply?
Can I apply with a personal email address?
No. Applications will only be considered if submitted using a valid johncabot.edu email address. This helps us verify student status and ensure proper follow-up.
Can I apply directly to Refraction?
No. All applications must be submitted through JCU’s Center for Career Services. Applications sent directly to Refraction or its partners cannot be processed or covered by university agreements and insurance. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by week 2 of the semester.
