Startup 302 is Delaware's premier funding competition for technology and technology-enabled startups led by underrepresented founders.
Entrepreneurs from across the U.S. will compete for non-dilutive funding, access to mentors, and valuable connections.
Startup302 pitch competition is now open through Feb. 24
You could win up to $75,000 and learn from business leaders and influencers.
Entrepreneurs from across the United States can compete for funding, access to mentors and valuable connections. Be part of Delaware’s premier funding competition for tech-focused startups led by underrepresented founders.
Who is eligible?
- Tech-savvy startups with at least one founding member from an underrepresented group – women, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Startups in bioscience, chemistry, advanced materials, agriculture, financial/business services and e-sports are especially encouraged to compete.
- The business model must have the potential to make a significant regional, national or international impact.
Sponsors:
How It Works
How It Works
How It Works
- Startup302 involves three rounds: application submission and evaluation, semifinals, and a final pitch round. Applications are reviewed by the Startup302 team and affiliated judges. It is free to apply.
- During the final round, teams will have up to 10 minutes to make their pitches before answering committee members’ questions.
- Entries will be judged on written concept narratives and live presentations, including question responses; potential opportunity; salability; regional impact; skills and value added by the management team; and “wow factor.”
Prize Awards
How It Works
How It Works
- Past awards ranged from $5,000 to $75,000.
- Funds will be awarded as grants, with certain awards having geographic restrictions. The pool in previous years was more than $150,000.
- Prizes are nondilutive: Winners will not be required to share ownership in their company.
Applicants can select to compete in one of the five tracks:
Early-Stage Track
Early-Stage Track
Early-Stage Track
For early-stage innovators who have generated less than $10,000 in annual revenue and have raised less than $50k in funding (including dilutive and nondilutive sources).
FinTech Track
Early-Stage Track
Early-Stage Track
For innovations across sectors, with a focus on fintech, automation, big data, health tech, SaaS and e-commerce innovations for financial services.
Life Sciences
Early-Stage Track
Clean, Green, and Blue
For startups in therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutrition, industrial biotechnology, agriculture biotechnology and other life sciences.
Clean, Green, and Blue
Clean, Green, and Blue
Clean, Green, and Blue
For startups in cleantech, chemical ingredients from naturally derived sources and ocean-safe products that focus on environmental impact.
Delaware Tech-Enabled
Clean, Green, and Blue
Delaware Tech-Enabled
For startups that reside in Delaware that are tech-enabled. Tech-enabled companies aren't building the internet, mobile devices or social media platforms; they're using those technologies.
Additional Prizes
Clean, Green, and Blue
Delaware Tech-Enabled
There are additional cash awards for startups aligned with the following criteria: University of Delaware Alumni, Grad Students or Faculty; Primary Operations in the State of Delaware.
Informational session about the application process
Questions?
Contact ecrell @ choosdelaware.com
What Others Say About Startup 302
The ecosystem help is like no other
Delaware is properly located to give me great connections
Delaware is properly located to give me great connections
“Delaware ecosystem [is] helpful in providing a variety of resources, including people, time, space, and funding, to new entrepreneurs. Many of the events, workshops, and communities under the ecosystem umbrella were helpful to us, especially at the beginning of Carbon Reform’s formation, in providing context and access to the world we were getting into. There are many seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders involved who are generously willing to share their time and input, which we have taken advantage of since our start.” - Jo Norris, CoFounder, Carbon Reform
Delaware is properly located to give me great connections
Delaware is properly located to give me great connections
Delaware is properly located to give me great connections
I “founded BioCurie in Delaware because of Delaware’s business-friendly environment and proximity to biopharma companies. This makes it an ideal place for innovative businesses to thrive. We have NIIMBL here and North of us in Philadelphia, we have ‘Cellicon Valley’ and the Greater Philadelphia region with all the cell and gene therapy companies. We’ve got all the big pharma just north in New Jersey. The contract manufacturers in cell and gene therapy are in Maryland. We also collaborate with the University of Delaware through one of its grant programs.” - Irene Romdel, Founder and CEO, BioCurie
Startup 302 gave me reassurance
Delaware support has been critical
Delaware support has been critical
"Besides the financial award, winning gave me reassurance that the problem I'm working on solving is valuable. I really do appreciate Startup 302 for helping underrepresented founders like myself with funding and resources to grow our companies. " - Kasai Guthrie, CEO, Neggster
Delaware support has been critical
Delaware support has been critical
Delaware support has been critical
"The Delaware support for entrepreneurs has been critical in our ability to move this technology forward. The Startup 302 grant will enable us to deliver a much-needed advancement to the market for Parkinson’s patients.” -Theresa Litherland, cofounder and president, Resonate Forward
Save the Date - Finals on April 27
New This Year. The finals will be held in person in Wilmington, DE.
More to come.
Finalists will be required to attend.
Support Startup Entrepreneurs
Be a sponsor. Contact us today at nolson @ choosedelaware.com.
Sponsors:
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