Startup302 is Delaware's premier funding competition for 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.
Ready to join us at the finals?
Save the Date - May 24th, 2022
All technology-enabled startups, with at least one founding team member from an underrepresented group are welcomed to apply for consideration. Considering the profile of Delaware’s ecosystem, those working in bioscience, chemistry, advanced materials, agriculture, and financial & business services, and esports are especially encouraged to participate.
Who is an underrepresented founder?
In the startup community, underrepresented founders are those whom the venture capital industry as a whole underinvest, relative to the overall US population. For the purpose of this competition, we define underrepresented founders as women, Black, Latinx and Native-American entrepreneurs. Across startup communities, these founders belong to demographic groups and identities which are vastly underrepresented in technology startup ownership and success stories.
The application window for Startup302 opens January 31st, 2022.
How It Works
How It Works
How It Works
Startup 302 involves two rounds - an application submission & evaluation round and a virtual final pitch round. Applications are reviewed by the Startup 302 organizing team and affiliated judges. There are no fees to apply.
Prize Awards
How It Works
How It Works
Prizes will be awarded as grants, with certain awards having geographic restrictions. Current prize pool is over $150k. Startups will also benefit from engagement with community resources, sponsors, executives, and other key influencers.
Competition Tracks & Prize Pool (Watch for Updates!)
Early-Stage Track
Open Innovation Track
Open Innovation Track
Up to $15,000 will be awarded to startups who've generated less than $10,000 in annual revenue and have raised less than $50k in funding (including dilutive & non-dilutive sources).
Open Innovation Track
Open Innovation Track
Open Innovation Track
Up to $30,000 will be awarded for innovations across sectors, with a focus on fintech & financial health. Additional areas of interest include, but are not limited to esports, automation, big data, healthtech, SaaS, and ecommerce.
Life Sciences
Open Innovation Track
Life Sciences
Up to $30,000 will be awarded to startups in therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutrition, industrial biotechnology, agriculture biotechnology, and other startups enabled by the life sciences.
Chemtech
Additional Prizes
Life Sciences
Up to $30,000 will be awarded to startups in advanced materials, cleantech, chemical ingredients, polymers and other startups enabled by chemistry.
Additional Prizes
Additional Prizes
Additional Prizes
There are additional cash awards for companies aligned with the following criteria: University of Delaware Alumni, Grad Students or Faculty; Primary Operations in New Castle County and/or the State of Delaware. These awards equate to $75k+ in additional funding.
About the Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Please contact info@neofest.org for questions.
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