Grants, accelerator and fellowship funding opportunities for founders and startups (February to March 2023)
You know how frustrating it is to hear about a funding opportunity the night it closes? We do too so we’ve curated the best opportunities out there. Check back for up-to-date information on available opportunities.
Entrepreneur Awards, Grants and Competitions
- Impact Shakers Summit 2023
- Win investment and in kind prizes with a value of up to EUR 100k.
- For European underrepresented founder (gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, migration) at the early stage of development (pre-seed and seed). Must haves a minimum viable product (MVP) and have got some user feedback. Startups must have raised less than EUR 2 million in total funding
- Open till 1st April 2023
- Learn more and apply
- Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award 2023
- Enter for a chance at EUR 25,000 prize
- For female entrepreneurs from the “global south”.
- Open till 24th March 2023
- Learn more and apply
GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0
- Between GBP 100,000 and GBP 250,000 over 15 to 18 months, plus tailored technical assistance including: mentoring, networking / showcasing opportunities, partnership opportunities and evaluation support
- For startups / solutions that use digital technology, especially mobile, to improve resilience and adaptation to climate change, with a higher priority given to applications focusing on one or more of the areas listed on the application page.
- Deadline: 16th May 2023
- Learn more and apply
MIT Solve Challenges
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- 9-month support program including coaching, unrestricted funding, and featuring at Solve Challenge Finals and Solve at MIT.
- MIT Solve’s Global Challenges seek social entrepreneurs using technology to solve today’s most pressing problems in Climate, Economic Prosperity, Health, and Learning.
- Deadline: 31st May 2023
- Learn more and apply
AfricaTech (Vivatech and IFC) Awards 2023
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- Top 9 startups attend VivaTech conference – Paris, June 2023 and get to pitch on stage. Top startup in each category receive an award from the sponsor (to be announced).
- Climatech, Health tech and Fintech startups with innovative solutions and high social, economic, environmental and gender impact. Companies must be operating in an African country with the majority of their team based in Africa and / or serving African markets.
- Deadline: 24th March 2023
- Learn more and apply
NJEDA Innovation Fellows 2023
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- US$ 200,000 to US$ 400,000 income replacement grants to startup groups of three or more members to help start a business in a targeted industry. Recipients will also receive mentorship and training in a variety of business and managerial subjects during the grant period, with curriculum developed by some of New Jersey’s top universities.
- For first-time entrepreneurs in underrepresented groups looking to start businesses in New Jersey. At least one-half of the group certify as “first-time entrepreneurs,” while at least two-thirds of the group must come from the workforce.
- Deadline: 15th May 2023
- Learn more and apply
QUEEN RANIA NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION (QRNEC)
- The Queen Rania national entrepreneurship competition (Orange Corners edition) empowers entrepreneurs, especially young people, from around the country to create a culture for entrepreneurship and to promote entrepreneurial spirit. Participants are invited to submit their innovative ideas and projects in the 13th edition of QRNEC 2023, which is designed to develop entrepreneurial skills for the participants and help them in developing their business plans, as well as create more awareness on potential opportunities in technology startups in addition to recognizing innovative and outstanding technology business ideas, projects, and startups.
- Learn more and apply
America’s Seed Fund
- Up to US$ 2 million equity free for early stage product development
- For deep technologies which show promise but their success hasn’t yet been validated.
- The project must have the potential to positively benefit society and to lead to significant outcomes in the commercial market. Most of the startups that have been funded have fewer than five employees, are recently formed and haven’t received funding from the US government before
- Deadline: none – accepts applications all-year round
- Learn more and apply
Accelerator and Incubator Programs
Sequoia Arc Europe ’23 cohort
- US$ 500,000 – US$1 million investment, participation in 7-week “Company Design” program and access to mentors and resources.
- For pre-seed and seed-stage founders actively working on an idea, product and company. For some, this means an idea and no lines of code like Patrick and John of Stripe. For others, it is a MVP site with 1000 listings like Brian, Nate and Joe of Airbnb. Arc alumni come from a variety of backgrounds: some are first or second-time founders, while others have helped scale top tech companies.
- 10 – 15 early-stage startups will be chosen for this cohort
- Deadline: Sunday, 2nd April
- Learn more and apply
Pepsi Greenhouse Collaborative Accelerator (APAC Sustainability Edition)
- US$20,000 USD in grant funding and will need to pitch their product/solution in person at the live event in Singapore. Successful founders will participate in a 4-month business optimization program designed to accelerate growth.
- At the end of the program, one winning company will be awarded an additional $100,000 USD.
- Minimum requirements are Pre-revenue to $2M USD in sales in the last financial year, and must have business operations in the APAC region.
- Deadline: Sunday, 1st May
- Learn more and apply
Taqadam Startup Accelerator
- Up to US$ 140,000 in non-dilutive funding, one-to-one sessions with a diverse pool of expert mentors, and Access to a community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry experts
- For disruptive startups from all industries and at all stages
- Deadline: 30th April
- Learn more and apply
- Flat 6 Labs Ignite – Cycle 5
- $150,000 – $250,000 cash funding, strategic mentorship, office space, entrepreneurship focused business training, subject matter one to one sessions and perks and services
- For incorporated startups, with an existing MVP with promising results from pilots – revenue generating is an added bonus. At least one founder must be available for duration of program in Abu Dhabi and startup must be committed to establishing a long-term presence in Abu Dhabi
- Deadline: 9th March (extended, still taking applications as at 20th March)
- Learn more and apply
- Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab:
- £250k equity investment on offer + 5-month program, access to industry experts and more.
- For underrepresented founders in EMEA.
- Deadline: 31st March
- Learn more and apply
- Norrsken Accelerator:
- Upfront investment of $125,000, access to Unicorn Founder Mentors, a tailored program and warm introductions to the right investors.
- For impact startups at pre-seed to early-seed startups that leverage technology for innovative solutions to new and old societal and environmental challenges.
- Deadline: rolling admissions before sessions start in July
- Learn more and apply
- Google for Startups Black and Latino Founders Fund:
- Up to $150,000 in non-dilutive (equity free) cash awards, up to $10,000 in cloud credits, mentoring by industry experts and invaluable connections withing Google’s network
- For Black Founders in Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the U.S., as well as for Latino Founders in the U.S who are using technology to solve some of society’s biggest problems
- Deadline: None – 26th March
- Learn more and apply
Farfetch Dream Assembly:
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- Up to $150,000 funding (see funding page for terms) for 7.5% equity and 7.5% future token supply
- 12-week remote accelerator program, including access to in-house operational, legal, commercial, marketing, and token model support.
- Leading mentor and investor network featuring over 200 of the biggest names in DeFi, Web3, and the Open Metaverse
- For founders at intersection of Web3 and Luxury commerce
- Deadline: 24th March
- Learn more and apply
- Qatar Fintech Hub Accelerator Program
- Up to USD 170,000 investment in SAFE (Post-money) per company
- For incorporated, early-stage FinTech startups globally to get product to market and pilot with QFTH. Particularly startups in Payments, Crowdfunding, FinTech, InsurTech
- Deadline: 9th March (still taking applications at at 20th March)
- Learn more and apply
- Qatar Fintech Hub Incubator Program
- 12 week program and investment of up to USD 110,000 investment in SAFE (Post-money) per company
- For budding entrepreneurs and early-stage FinTechs with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) who want to transform their prototype into a sellable product, build traction and raise funds.
- Deadline: 9th March (still taking applications at at 20th March)
- Learn more and apply
- Flat 6 Labs Riyadh Seed Program
- US$ 140,000 for 10% equity and support to help startups grow
- For early-stage Saudi based startups. Can be as early as idea stage (pre-revenue, pre-MVP). Could also have raised previous finance and be revenue generating
- Deadline: 15th April
- Learn more and apply
- Intuit Prosperity Accelerator: Toronto
- An equity-free, challenge-based program for startups focused on advancing financial prosperity
- Up to US$ 300,000 and ten week program designed to equip founders with tools, guidance and resources to set them up for success
- For early-stage (pre-seed and seed), technology-driven startups and entrepreneurships that are changing the world today. Open to startups globally but founders must attend the program in Beijing.
- Top industries of interest are: AI, Cloud, SaaS, Metaverse, Biotech, SpaceTech and ESG
- Deadline: 12th June
- Learn more and apply
- MiraclePlus Accelerator (formerly YC China)
- Up to US$ 300,000 and ten week program designed to equip founders with tools, guidance and resources to set them up for success
- For early-stage (pre-seed and seed), technology-driven startups and entrepreneurships that are changing the world today. Open to startups globally but founders must attend the program in Beijing.
- Top industries of interest are: AI, Cloud, SaaS, Metaverse, Biotech, SpaceTech and ESG
- Deadline: 12th June
- Learn more and apply
- Nordic AMPlify USA
- Support from US healthcare systems, funding opportunities by providing direct access to a large network of prominent US venture capital and investment firms
- For the most promising Nordic digital health and medtech companies interested in accelerating their U.S. market entrance and growth.
- Nordic Digital Health and MedTech companies working with sustainable solutions for future healthcare services such as eHealth, mHealth, Telehealth and Telemedicine and eSocial care
- Learn more and apply
Corporate Pilot Programs
- Pepsi Cola Labs Digital Marketing Program 2023
- PepsiCo Labs is looking for ground breaking MarTech solutions to take PepsiCo’s marketing abilities to the next level
- Focus areas are: agility and efficiency in generating personalized content and creatives (including measuring engagement and LTV), enhanced media planning visibility and accessibility across PepsiCo brands, enable live & blended fan experiences (music, sports, gaming).
- Deadline: None – ahead of kick off in Q3 2023
- Learn more and apply
Know Your Numbers Before You Apply
Even when it’s equity free, every investor or even grant provider wants to know you have what it takes to succeed. You will surely be asked for your unit economics and be judged on how you communicate your ambition. Our resources and financial modelling tools are the easiest and most affordable solution for founders to know your numbers and confidently communicate with investors.
