Frequently Asked Questions

SVIP is fully funded by the participating tech companies. Our aim is to encourage and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

No. SVIP has one intake which happens in September of each year.

No. SVIP is a one year (or 18 month) program. We’ve found that it takes good couple of months for SVIPers to learn the ropes and really be useful to their tech companies. This means that short term internships aren't feasible.

The bulk of the SVIPer's day-to-day experience is in the trenches working in rapidly growing companies, learning about commercial coding and how people within these companies think about business. Augmenting the day-to-day experience are regular 'Meet the Entrepreneur' and 'Hackathon' events. 'Meet the Entrepreneur' is an opportunity to meet and learn the personal success stories of the careers of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists - think 'Inside the Actor's Studio' for entrepreneurs. The Hackathons are a sequential set of themed workshops which aim to take the SVIPers through the company formation process from idea to revenue.

Applications will open on January 1st, 2021 and will close on the 21st of February.

SVIP looks for technically strong candidates who will thrive in a fast paced environment. Startups are a unique place to work, with each day hosting a variety of business and technical challenges which our SVIP interns will need to be able to solve through creative and entrepreneurial means.

The main focus of the SVIP is on computer science/software engineering/data science graduates. There is a very specific need in Silicon Valley for people who are able to code and while we do always keep an eye out for people coming from other academic backgrounds, this skill set is a must.

We take applications from candidates outside Europe as part of the SVIP International Women program.

SVIP does not normally offer internships to those on 'sandwich' years. We’ve found that many of our companies want to have the option for their SVIPer to stick around at the end of the year when things work out well.

All applications and resumes/CVs MUST be submitted in English. Applications and resumes submitted in any other language will not be considered.

If your degree or transcript is in a different language, you will need to have these documents officially translated. Many universities offer a translation of your degree to another language. Costs for translation will need to covered by the applicant.

The SVIP works with participating companies to find a match based on your skill set and interests, as well as the needs of the company.

SVIP works with successful candidates to obtain a J1 visa. This process begins in May of each year, approximately 4 months before you arrive. Towards the end of the process, you will be required to attend an appointment in person at an US embassy in your home country.

While the SVIP covers the visa processing costs in the USA for the issuance of the visa, you will be responsible for application fees of approximately $350 (which may vary depending on your country). On arrival in the USA, SVIP will create bank accounts for every SVIPer which will be opened with a $350 deposit from the SVIP.

No, unfortunately we are unable to cover these costs.

Yes! SVIPers receive a salary of $80,000.

In addition to your role as a full time member of an engineering team, SVIPers commit to one weekend a month for the 'Meet the Entrepeneur' and 'Hackathon' programs. On top of this, SVIPers are expected to work on their business ideas between the Hackathons in their spare time. There are also occasional 'formal' events such as the Xmas party, Summer party, Business Review Panel and Pitch Night, where attendance is expected. This is not a one-year paid holiday in California!

SVIP provides accommodation for your first month in the program. SVIP also has a six bedroom house in the heart of San Francisco for a select group of SVIP engineers. Room allocations for the SVIP house is based on the candidate's office location. As we have candidates working in both San Francisco and across Silicon Valley (the entire bay area) many SVIPers end up living together for the rest of the year, largely depending on where their companies are based. Beyond the first month, you will be responsible for your own living situation.

Some of our companies are based in Silicon Valley ‘proper’; that’s the general area south of San Francisco around Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Mountain View. However more and more startups are springing up in the city of San Francisco itself.

We really hope this does not happen! However, in the exceptional case that it does, the SVIPer is responsible for reimbursing SVIP for the 'hard costs' sunk into the candidate for visa processing, flights, accommodation, etc. which adds up to $6,000.

Formally, at the end of the SVIP, your J-1 visa status will lapse and you will need to return to your home country. In practice, many SVIPers join their companies full time and those companies apply for a visa for them to stay in the US or work remotely from their home country. The SVIP itself sometimes makes available 'Entrepreneur in Residence' opportunities to SVIPers to work further on their business ideas or other opportunities.

A J1 intern visa is for candidates who have a degree with little to no industry experience. A trainee intern has a masters degree or 2-5 years of experience.

If you're on the J1 Trainee visa and your company wishes to extend your contract to a full time employee - SVIP can connect you to our partner immigration firm to help you on the next step.

Throughout the year SVIP encourages all engineers to participate in Hackathons and events that help you come up with an idea. We then support you from ideation to build. Once you are ready for incorporation in the US we connect you with our partner firm that will support you on all legal services. For more information look at the legal service section.