Paragon Fellowship

The Paragon fellowship core impact lies in empowering Asia’s next generation of social entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact. It grows a community of young, dynamic role models which will become ambassadors for youth entrepreneurship by leading successful ventures.  By promoting those entrepreneurs we will inspire more young people to become entrepreneurs to escape the cycle of poverty and unemployment.

The Issue

38m young people aged 15-24 in East and South Asia were without work in 2003 and the number is increasing. Too few young Asians, despite facing severe unemployment, consider entrepreneurship as a career choice. This youth unemployment leads to poverty and causes immense social challenges for society.

Fostering youth entrepreneurship has emerged as a solution, but the intention among Asians to become entrepreneurs is very low (Japan 3%; Malaysia 5%) and very few young people in Asia actually start their own business (2.9% in China, 2009; 0.18% in Indonesia, 2008). Young Asians are interested, but will not start their own business because of a perceived lack of training and funding, and the lack of entrepreneurial role models.

The Program

The Paragon fellowship identifies and nurtures high potential young social entrepreneurs up to 30 years of age from Asia Pacific who utilize innovative approaches to generate a significant measurable impact on their communities and promote their work to inspire youth to become social innovators. By promoting those entrepreneurs we will inspire more young people to become entrepreneurs to escape the cycle of poverty and unemployment.

It provides a platform of opportunities for fellows to improve their business and personal skills:
» Tools and Training: incl. pitching training and introduction to investors to attract funding and intensive workshop will focus on insights and tools for accelerating and scaling innovations.
» Global & National Expertise: incl. Executive Coaching by Business Leaders and distinguished Social Entrepreneurs and Business Consulting regarding their business model, planning etc.
» Network & Civic Support: incl. Peer- learning with like-minded entrepreneurs from all over the region and visibility and profiling through Paragon website, profiling on partner websites, advertisements with our media partner and press coverage.

“We support the Paragon fellowship as this program consists with our mission to cultivate business leaders who will contribute to creative change and innovation in Asia and Japan.” Globis Japan, Paragon Partner

“Wadhwani Foundation and NEN support this effort because we believe the economic greatness of a country is fueled by the strength and vitality of its entrepreneurs.” Romesh Wadhwani, Chairman Wadhwani Foundation, Paragon Partner

“Digital Opportunity believes youth entrepreneurship empowers young people to create wealth for social good and bring positive change in their communities and countries, and so supports FYSE  for inspiring Asia’s youth to action.” Digital Opportunity, Paragon Partner

The Paragon fellowship core impact lies in empowering Asia’s next generation of social entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact. It grows a community of entrepreneurial role models over the years that will become ambassadors for youth entrepreneurship by leading successful ventures and being engaged as speakers and in the program as mentors to the inspired youth starting new ventures.

In 2009 FYSE selected 100 emerging young entrepreneurs out of 520 applications from throughout the region for the Paragon fellowship.

Download the 2009 Paragon fellowship booklet incl. short fellow profiles here
Download a report about the 2009 Paragon fellowship applications here
Download the Press Kit for the 2009 Paragon fellowship here

Further information and Fellow profiles at www.paragon100.asia