The Thiel Fellowship gives $100,000 to young people who want to build new things instead of sitting in a classroom. Two years. $100,000. Some ideas can’t wait. What Founded by technology entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel in 2011, the Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program for young people who want to build new things. Thiel Fellows skip or stop out of college to receive a $100,000 grant and su