Shilling Fellowship
One internship program. Ten weeks. A front-row seat to venture capital and innovation, for curious minds who challenge the norm.
The cycle is accelerating
Portugal and Spain have produced enduring technology companies that in some way or another have steered the future to the place their founders believe it should be.
The first billion dollar startups were founded at the beginning of the millennium, Outsytems, Tekever and Idealista. We had to wait almost a decade for the founding of the next ones, Job&Talent, Feedzai, TalkDesk and Cabify. From there the waiting time halved for us to get Fever, Sword Health, Glovo and Travel Perk. Then, almost three years in a row, we saw the founding of one with Factorial, Anchorage and Remote.
The momentum is here, the cycle is accelerating, but we can't let it reverse. And it most certainly will if all of our brightest minds aren’t building. We don’t have the luxury of being able to wait for our youngest to take the traditional path.
Apply for the fellowship
At Shilling
We want to help accelerate the cycle by nurturing the next generation of founders, technologists and investors.
To that end we are launching the Shilling Fellowship. A 10 week, €10.000 program during the summer of 2026 for college students (or dropouts) with a deep interest in technology and exceptional ability.
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The fellow will be deeply involved across the activities of the firm, but can focus on the areas they enjoy the most. From thinking of investment thesis, helping portfolio companies, finding new great founders, and more. ​
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Help us accelerate the cycle, apply.
What you need to know
Deadlines
Application deadline: 24th of March 2026.
Interviews will begin on March 25, and the selected fellow will be announced in early April.
Who are we looking for
There’s no strict age limit, but we are primarily looking for people early in their careers. Typically students or recent graduates (or dropouts).
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More than any specific academic background, we’re looking for curious and ambitious individuals with a strong interest in technology, startups, and innovation. We value people who think independently, challenge conventional paths, and show initiative through projects, communities, or ideas they’ve pursued on their own.
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Engineers, researchers, builders, product thinkers, and future founders are all welcome. What matters most is intellectual curiosity, ambition, and a genuine drive to learn and build.
"Can I do it remotely?"
Unfortunately, no.
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The fellowship is designed to be an in-person experience in Lisbon, working directly with the Shilling team and interacting closely with founders, startups, and investors.
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We believe that being physically present allows the fellow to learn faster, build stronger relationships, and fully experience the venture capital ecosystem.
"I’m not from Lisbon...how can I afford the stay and travel??"
We want this opportunity to be accessible regardless of where you live. The fellowship includes a €10,000 stipend, paid in two parts:
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50% at the beginning of the program
50% at the end​
When does it start and end
The fellowship is a full-time, immersive program lasting around 10 weeks.
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It is expected to start around the first week of June and end in mid-August. We keep some flexibility in the exact dates to accommodate academic calendars and exams.
What will I actually do during the fellowship?
This is not a traditional internship. The fellowship is designed as an immersive experience in venture capital and startups. You will work closely with the Shilling team and gain exposure to multiple areas of the ecosystem, including:
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Investment analysis and startup evaluation
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Working directly with founders and portfolio companies
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Exploring roles inside startups (growth, partnerships, product)
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Understanding how venture capital funds operate
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Exposure to fundraising, fund operations, and portfolio management
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The goal is to give the fellow a front-row seat to how technology companies are built and funded.
