Applications for Delaware’s third annual Startup302 funding competition are being accepted through Friday, Feb. 24, from technology-enabled startups with at least one founding team member from an underrepresented group. Prizes include more than $190,000 in cash grants along with mentoring and networking connections such as introductions to potential investors.
Startups must be tech-enabled with at least one founder from an underrepresented group: women; people of color, including African Americans, Latin Americans and Native Americans; and members of the LGBTQ+ community – all groups whose ventures are underinvested in relative to their demographic’s percentage of overall United States population. Because Startup302 seeks to foster diverse perspectives, promote inclusive and equitable consideration and attract diverse communities of founders to the region, startups don’t have to be Delaware-based to enter.
The competition will consist of three rounds: an application submission, an evaluation round and a final live pitch round that will take place in Wilmington on Thursday, April 27. This year’s categories are Early Stage, Life Sciences, Clean Green and Blue, FinTech and Delaware Tech-Enabled. These categories reflect Delaware’s evolving innovation and industry landscape and include the agriculture, chemistry and advanced materials sectors as well as more broadly tech areas like artificial intelligence/machine learning, big data, software as a service and e-sports.
Startup302 is coordinated by DPP and partners from key innovation-supporting organizations. Steering committee members include representatives from First Founders, the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, True Access Capital, The Innovation Space, the Small Business Development Center and StartOut.
There is no cost to enter.
Contest details, the application and a video answering frequently asked questions are at startup302.org. Additional questions may be directed to DPP’s Erica Crell at ecrell@choosedelaware.com.
