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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.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our 15 finalists in the 5 categories (early stage, clean green and blue, Delaware tech-enabled, fintech, and life sciences). The finalists will pitch in-person to compete for ~$4,000 - ~$20,000+ in nondilutive funding grants without restrictions as well as other possible prizes. The application pool this year was incredibly competitive; only 17% of applicants were selected to move to the interview stage, and less than 9% made it through to the finals.
Finalists!
What to Expect at the Finals?
What to Expect at the Finals?
What to Expect at the Finals?
- Network with attendees (judges, investors, startups, incubators, etc)
- Watch the finalists pitch
- Listen to our keynotes and get inspired
- Learn from our investors during the investor panel discussion
Watch, Learn, and Listen
What to Expect at the Finals?
What to Expect at the Finals?
The finals will be held in person
When: April 27
Where: Theater N, Nemours Building, 1007 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Time: 8:30-1:30
Sponsored from UD Horn Entrepreneurship Program.
Sponsors:
How Does Startup302 Work?
How Does Startup302 Work?
How Does Startup302 Work?
- 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 8 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.”
What are the Prize Awards?
How Does Startup302 Work?
How Does Startup302 Work?
- Awards change every year based on fundraising.
- Prizes will be $3,000 to $20,000.
- Funds will be awarded as grants, with certain awards having geographic restrictions. The pool prize this year is $210,000.
- Prizes are nondilutive: Winners will not be required to share ownership in their company.
Startup302 in the NEWS
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Generally speaking, Delaware is one of the most inclusive communities in the country. We have a very large Queer scene and offer hundreds of resources, opportunities, and support services to help lift and empower LGBTQ+ Delawareans. StartOut is one of a handful of organizations that have helped us put this pitch competition together, and we’re incredibly grateful for their support.
Delaware Success Stories
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Delaware Prosperity Partnership celebrates the movers, shakers and innovators that make Delaware such a vibrant place for business and entrepreneurship.
Learn about Last Year's Winners
Erica Crell, DPP, and the expanding opportunities for Delaware
Learn about Last Year's Winners
Twelve tech-enabled startups with at least one team member from an underrepresented demographic are sharing more than $170,000 in funding from Delaware’s second Startup302 competition, which was organized by Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) and local partners.
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.
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
Support Startup Entrepreneurs
Be a sponsor. Contact us today at nolson @ choosedelaware.com.
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