Two Baseline Requirements
No matter what kind of grant you're applying to, we'll always look to make sure you have these things. Each grant has additional requirements on top of these baseline requirements.
*See Eligbility Specifics for Full Requirements*
1. You're a UGA student
You need to be a current University of Georgia student (undergrad or graduate) and you need to own no less of your company than any other founder.
2. You're serious about it
Side hustles are awesome, but not the kind of businesses we invest in. It's important to us that you have a serious interest in pursuing this business full-time, and this business can scale.
Starter Grant
A starter grant is perfect for anyone looking to get a business idea off the ground. While there are no firm requirements beyond the baseline, we look for the following:
- You are capable of executing the business idea
- You can describe to us who your customer is and show us that they are likely to buy your product
Regular Grant
A regular grant is designed for businesses that are already off the ground. In addition to everything we look for in a starter grant recipient, there are two firm requirements:
- You have a plan to scale and grow
- You have either completed a startup accelerator OR you've generated some revenue
Follow-On Grant
Follow on grants are specifically for businesses that have received funding from Kickstart before, and are looking for capital to continue to scale. We look for the following in evaluating follow-on grant applications:
- Clear, demonstrated growth since your last pitch
- You have a competing need for capital
Application Timeline
We strive to be as transparent as possible at every step.
How to Nail Your Pitch
Kickstart offers some resources to aid prospective applicants in the process of applying and pitching. When in doubt, reach out! We're here to help.
Share your Story
Why did you decide to start this business? How are you connected to the problem that you are solving?
Come Prepared
If your business is already generating revenue, come prepared with information about your finances.
Know your Customer
Who is the ideal buyer for your product or service? Of these buyers, who have you talked to about this product? Why are they likely to buy it - and how can you prove this?
Keep us Updated
If you make changes to your presentation, please send us your most up-to-date version as soon as possible!
Eligibility Specifics
Funding from Kickstart is open to any company or organization that has at least one current University of Georgia student as a founder or co-founder.
Applicants can be for-profit or non-profit entities.
No funding will be granted to companies seeking to open a franchise of any larger private or publicly held entity.
The student must be materially involved in the operations of the business and possess no less equity than any single individual owner.
The Fund will strive to honor the size of funding requests, but reserves the right to award partial funding or contingent funding on a case-by-case basis.
Companies are only eligible to receive one grant per academic semester.
Companies are limited to one application per academic semester.
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