The Small Bets Lab
ROI Small Bets Lab explores early-stage, promising but risky ideas that show incredible potential to transform the toughest challenges that rural communities face.
The Small Bets Lab is ROI’s Innovation Space.
Inspired by corporate innovation programs like Google X, Bell Labs, and IBM Extreme Blue, it is the first initiative that applies this type of model to rural, community-based settings.
ROI partners with graduate students from top schools to spend a summer or semester testing a promising, high-potential idea.
Examples of Past Projects
by Small Bets Associates
Build skills. Make a difference.
Join the lab for the summer or semester. We’re here and ready to pair with our organization’s top priorities for you to own, test and discover what works.
Here’s Our Process
Step 1: Apply
First, submit your application by completing this 2022 Application form. You will be asked to provide your resume, one reference who can speak to your professional competencies, and a cover letter.
Step 2: Interview
We will learn more about your skills & competencies and ensure the best fit possible for this prestigious summer internship.
Step 3: Onboarding
Work trackers, project management tools, learning styles. Quickly learn and onboard to the team.
Step 4: Get to work!
Time to jump in! Own your project. Execute like mad. Create a final report and final presentation to end your time at the Small Bets Lab where you share a path to scale or celebrate “killing” your idea.
Here’s What The Small Bets Lab Can Offer to You…
Culture
A supportive team environment – we strive to know each other as people, spend social time together, and adjust our work structures to maximize wellness & impact.
Opportunites
The opportunity to contribute directly to community-facing programs, and see the impact of your work quickly, experience seeing the inner workings of an early-stage organization.
Network
The opportunity to network within the nonprofit community, and learn new skills to grow in your career.
Growth
Learn, grow, connect, have an impact. We will support you to make your goals happen.
ROI Is the Right Place For You If You…
Want to create something totally new, like to solve problems, be in a fast-changing, start-up environment.
Are self-directed, comfortable with ambiguity and are committed to community work and human-centered design.
Want to be able to bring your full self to your job and enjoy building genuine relationships.
Like to problem solve/brainstorm as a team and then complete your work independently.
Here’s What Our Small Bet Associate Alumni Have to Say…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A flexible, scrappy, and fun work environment.
A supportive team environment – we strive to know each other as people, spend social time together, and adjust our work structures to maximize wellness & impact. Our favorite sport is basketball, but we also love doing other activities together that our team members like.
A values-driven, reflective, and iterative work culture.
The opportunity to contribute directly to community-facing programs, and see the impact of your work quickly, experience seeing the inner workings of an early-stage organization.
The opportunity to network within the nonprofit community, and learn new skills to grow in your career.
Autonomy to drive the direction and outcome of your time with us – there is a ton of opportunity to learn, grow, connect, have impact. If you are clear on your goals and can make them clear to us, we will support you to make it happen.
Want to create something totally new, like to solve problems, be in a fast-changing, start-up environment.
Are self-directed, comfortable with ambiguity and are committed to community work and human centered design.
Like to problem solve/brainstorm as a team and then complete your work independently.
Want to be able to bring your full self to your job and you enjoy building genuine relationships.
You need lots of structure and constant, clear directions.
You don’t like to try new things as a person or an organization.
Experience with design thinking and/or innovation processes or a strong desire to learn and adopt this process.
Comfort working in grassroots community environments, interacting with diverse stakeholders in a respectful manner.
Interest in working with an early-stage nonprofit on a very small team.
Comfort with ambiguous and unpredictable work timelines & environments.
Commitment to racial equity and social justice.
Openness to failure, giving and receiving critical feedback, and learning along the way.
Must be authorized to work in the US.
ROI supports people’s healing process by educating, reshaping systemic practices, and fostering deep-rooted connections. We know people are not to blame for the trauma and stress that impacts them. Resilience is an inner strength in all humans, regardless of background, and we as people are wired for connection and healing. We strive to end generational cycles of trauma and poverty by preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress for the community in rural Eastern North Carolina. We are a social innovation lab that disrupts the distinct separation between urban versus rural, especially in technology and innovation. Often, social innovation processes leave out rural communities of color. Rural Opportunity Institute believes in and knows the deep assets that exist in rural communities like ours. We seek to smash together disparate worlds and change the narrative commonly held about rural communities.
