What Orr Fellowship does

Orr Fellowship is a private nonprofit organization (legally the Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship) that operates a two-year post-undergraduate corporate fellowship program placing recent college graduates in full-time roles at vetted partner companies. Founded in 2001 and operating since 2002, the program runs two regional chapters — Indianapolis as the primary base and Evansville as the Southwest Indiana expansion launched in 2026 — with 170+ current Fellows, 650+ alumni, and 270+ partner companies spanning 30+ industries. The program does not operate a proprietary technology platform; recruitment is handled through a four-stage funnel (Application, Orr Network Interview, Re-application, Finalist Day) using Formstack for application processing and Predictive Index Assessment for talent assessment, with finalists matched to 2-6 partner companies.

The organization generates revenue primarily through an annual partner program investment of $7,000 per Fellow, which covers structured programming including a Business Leader Speaker Series, nonprofit consulting projects, pitch and case competitions, and customized leadership training delivered through its Continued Learning partner Advisa. Fellows are full-time salaried employees of their matched partner companies, with partners providing 11 days of dedicated PTO annually for Fellowship programming. Recruitment is driven through 25+ partner universities, campus events, and alumni referrals, with reported outcomes including ~10% acceptance rate, 84% in-state retention post-program, and >90% partner satisfaction.

Orr Fellowship is governed by a President (Steven Emch), Senior Directors overseeing engagement and talent/partnerships, an Evansville Regional Director, and a Board of Directors chaired by Bo Dietrick. The organization has received the 2026 IBJ Nonprofit of the Year and Nonprofit Excellence Awards and a 2026 Community Collaboration Fund grant, positioning it as a key Indiana-based early-career talent intermediary rather than a venture-backed technology company.

Name

Orr Fellowship

Legal name

Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship

Website

https://orrfellowship.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Orr Fellowship is a two-year post-undergraduate corporate fellowship that places recent college graduates in full-time roles at vetted Indiana partner companies, combining employment with structured leadership development, peer community, and nonprofit consulting across two regional chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-Undergraduate Fellowship Program

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Alumni Career Networking & Mentorship Programs (EDALAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops (EDALABAG), Alumni Relations & Alumni Engagement Programs (EDALAOAA), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Post-undergraduate fellowship
• Leadership development program
• Early-career talent pipeline
• Corporate fellowship program
• Graduate professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Partner Program Investment: Partner companies pay an annual investment of $7,000 per Fellow to support structured training, mentorship, leadership curriculum, nonprofit consulting, pitch and case competitions, and community-building activities. Fellows are hired as full-time employees receiving competitive salaries and benefits from partner companies. Partners provide 11 days of dedicated PTO annually for Fellowship programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Orr Fellowship is a two-year post-undergraduate corporate fellowship that recruits, screens, and places recent college graduates into full-time salaried positions at vetted Indiana-based partner companies, while layering on a structured leadership development curriculum, executive speaker series, nonprofit consulting projects, pitch competitions, and access to an alumni network of 600+ professionals. Partner companies fund the program via a $7,000 per-Fellow annual investment plus salary and benefits.

Product overview

Orr Fellowship operates as a two-year post-undergraduate corporate fellowship program—not a traditional software product—with two regional chapters (Indianapolis and Evansville) that place recent graduates in full-time roles at partner companies. The core offering combines employment with a structured professional development curriculum that includes the Business Leader Speaker Series, nonprofit consulting projects, pitch and case competitions, and leadership training delivered by Advisa. The program uses a four-stage recruitment and matching process to connect candidates with partner organizations. Upon completion, Fellows join an alumni network of over 600+ members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Orr Fellowship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of Fellows remain in Indiana after completing the Fellowship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AdvisacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisa provides customized leadership training for Orr Fellows through a course designed specifically for early-career professionals. The curriculum advances competency in business, leadership foundations, characteristics of effective teams, and strategic decision-making. Advisa is described as the Continued Learning Partner.
• The Heritage GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth-generation family-owned company with a diverse portfolio spanning construction, environmental services, and specialty chemicals. A key recurring partner that has hired multiple cohorts of Orr Fellows across marketing, operations, finance, and other functions. The Heritage Group has been recognized for its commitment to betting on people through the Orr Fellowship program.
• Koch EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversified holding company with operations in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, equipment design and construction, and information technology. Serves global customers including Honda, GM, Land Rover, Apple, and Tesla. Hosts Orr Fellows in rotational engineering and process improvement roles.
• StitchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern marketing services company helping marketers maximize their Braze marketing technology stacks. Multiple Orr Fellows have been hired as Solution Architects working on marketing technology consulting and implementation.
• Old National BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank with dual headquarters in Chicago and Evansville, founded in 1834. Serves as an Evansville-based partner with Fellows working in communications and external affairs roles.
• Robert Dietrick CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial solutions provider helping businesses improve safety, security, productivity, and energy efficiency. Board Chair Bo Dietrick leads the company and is deeply involved with Orr Fellowship as Board Chair. Hosts Fellows across Experience, Innovation, Operations, and Sales teams.
• Remodel HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBenefits technology and administration company specializing in ICHRA solutions for employers. Multiple cohorts of Orr Fellows hired into customer success, HR, and other roles. Recognized for investing in the next generation of leaders.
• dormakabacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal top-three access control and security solutions company with over 150 years of experience. Hosts Orr Fellows in rotational programs in operations, finance, and marketing across their two-year fellowship.
• OneCausecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundraising software provider that has helped nonprofits run over 90,000 successful fundraising events and campaigns, raising more than $8 billion. Hosts Fellows in marketing coordinator roles.
• Deaconess Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest employer and premiere healthcare provider in the tri-state region (southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky, southeastern Illinois). Based in Evansville with 19 hospitals. Named #2 Hospital in Indiana by US News & World Report for six consecutive years.
• Escalade SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublicly-traded (NASDAQ: ESCA) manufacturer of consumer sporting goods founded in 1927. Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Competes in a dozen categories including basketball, table tennis, archery, pickleball, and fitness.
• OnBoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard management software company serving more than 6,000 organizations and 100,000 users in 60 countries. Hosts Fellows in rotational roles across Marketing and Customer Success.
• CovideocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideo messaging platform market leader used by thousands of businesses worldwide. Fellows rotate through Customer Success, Sales, and Marketing departments.
• CSpringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT and business consulting firm focused on technology, data, and business alignment. Fellows serve as Associate Consultants supporting both private and public sector clients.
• High AlphaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenture studio and software investment firm in Indianapolis. Managing Partner Scott Dorsey is a prominent Orr Fellowship supporter. High Alpha provides endorsements and testimonials for the Fellowship program.
• Forty5minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique live music production company in Indianapolis. Serves as a Community Partner, hosting Orr Fellowship Monthly Meetings at their Turntable venue.
• Boys & Girls Club of EvansvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing youth development programming in Evansville since 1957. Orr Fellows engage with the organization through community service and nonprofit consulting projects.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Venture For America: A two-year fellowship program placing recent graduates at startups in emerging U.S. cities, with a similar model of combining full-time employment, cohort community, and ongoing professional development—directly comparable in structure and value proposition to Orr Fellowship.
• Year Up: A workforce development nonprofit that provides young adults with training, mentorship, and corporate internships, with a comparable mission of connecting early-career talent with employer partners and a strong employer-funded revenue model.
• City Year: A youth service AmeriCorps program that places young adults in full-time service roles with stipend and benefits, followed by alumni network support—an analogous post-college cohort fellowship with structured programming and employer/community partnerships.
• Per Scholas: A nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training and career placement support with employer partnerships, comparable as a workforce-talent pipeline organization that combines training, employer matching, and alumni services.
• Apprenti: A nonprofit apprenticeship program that recruits, trains, and places candidates into technology roles with employer partners—sharing Orr Fellowship's emphasis on vetted employer matching and structured career-launch support for non-traditional talent.
• Genesys Works: A nonprofit that provides high school through college career launch programming, including paid corporate internships—comparable as an employer-funded talent pipeline serving early-career candidates with structured pathways.
• Cristo Rey Network: A network of Catholic college-prep high schools whose signature model is a corporate work-study program placing students at partner companies—an analogous model of partnering with employers to provide paid work experience and career development for students.

Emerging players

• Braven: A nonprofit that accelerates career outcomes for underrepresented college students through a credit-bearing course and post-course coaching and employer connections—comparable in mission to bridge college-to-career transitions and partner with employers for talent pipelines.

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey Forward Program: A large consulting firm's early-career talent program offering skills training, mentorship, and a pathway into McKinsey—comparable as a structured, cohort-based early-career development program with selective admissions, though operated within a single corporate employer rather than across many.
• AmeriCorps VISTA: A federal anti-poverty service program that places individuals in full-time service roles at nonprofits and public agencies for one-year terms with stipend and education award—an analogous cohort-based, mission-driven early-career placement program with alumni network and professional development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/orrfellowship
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1121647
• Instagraminstagram.com/orrfellowship
• Xx.com/orrfellowship

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orr Fellowship