Sad that you just missed a funding deadline?
No worries, let’s take a look at the list of opportunities that you can apply anytime. This list includes both fundings as well as accelerators. Some of these opportunities are available globally while some are country specific.
USAID Development Innovation Ventures(DIV) is an open innovation program to empowers anyone, anywhere to propose an idea at any time. Its aim is to test and scale breakthrough solutions to any global development challenge.
There are different DIV stages and according to the stages, funding is allocated.
Find out more about USAID
The UNICEF Innovation Fund is looking to make USD 50-90,000 equity-free investments to provide early stage (seed) finance for startups. If you’ve got a start-up registered in one of UNICEF’s program countries and have a working, open source prototype (or you are willing to make it open-source) showing promising results then UNICEF Innovation Fund is looking for you.
For UNICEF, innovation is about developing emerging approaches and tools, and testing how they can be applied across contexts.
Find out more about UNICEF
500 Startup is a worldwide program. Its mission is to discover and bring the world’s most talented entrepreneurs in one platform. It helps them to create successful companies at scale and build thriving global ecosystems. It brings in a wide variety of experts focused on marketing, culture, startup accounting, product design, mobile, user testing, sales, and more.
One of the exciting parts is they invest in all companies that take part in the Seed Program.
Find out more about 500 Startups
The Amber Grants is an exciting funding opportunity for women startups and entrepreneurs. It was launched by WomensNet to honor the memory of a young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at the age of 19 – unable to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams. The main aim of the Grant is to help women who dream to be an entrepreneur. WomensNet believes that “No business dream is too big or too small”.
Note: You can apply at the end of each month
Find out more about Amber Grant
APX is a venture capitalist. Their business model is to invest in companies and sell their shares at a later point in time. APX has the drive, experience, and leadership to support founders as they turn good ideas into great ones. It offers a tailor-made program specifically targeted at the startup’s needs, to enable them to get follow-on funding from further investors.
They invest 50,000 EUR in cash and offer an intense 100-day Tailor-made program to make startups ready for follow-on financing. They don’t invest in single funders.
Find out more about APX by Axel Springer & Porsche
Global Innovation Fund is a unique investment program that provides funding one the basis of your startup stage. It aims to improve the lives of the poorest people in developing countries by promoting the piloting, rigorous testing, and scaling of innovations.
The funding structure is flexible: can provide anywhere from $50,000 – $15 million and we can use any form of capital.
Find out more about Global Innovation Fund
BLS Accelerator is one of India’s International Accelerator program. It supports and provides necessary guidance to startup to scale up.BLS Accelerator creates opportunities to scale through its accelerator and market access programs curated for both local and international startups.
Only applicable for Indian nationals.
Find out more about BLS Accelerator
JumpFund particularly invests in women. They are women investing in women. Their mission is to seed and grow strong, female-led ventures in the Southeastern, the U.S. By Woman-led they mean at least one female in a C-level role with significant equity in the company.
The investment size ranges from $100-$250k
Find out more about The JumpFund
Startup SG was established in 2017, with the aim to showcase Singapore’s vibrant startup ecosystem both locally and overseas. It provides mentorship and startup capital grant to first-time entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
The grant is open to all Singaporeans/Permanent Residents who are first-time entrepreneurs.
Find out more about Startup SG Founder
The Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund is a venture capital fund created by Smart Axiata. It invests in Cambodian-based, digital service companies and start-ups involved in products, business models and other digital ecosystem enablers. Their core objective is to invest in the next generation of transformational companies in the digital ecosystem while stimulating their growth.
Find out more about Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund
Even though the above list of opportunities don’t have a specific deadline and you can apply all year round does not mean that you should apply at the end of the year. Their application process has many lists like some demand for your company registration certificate, some just ask for a letter of interest, some accelerator program wants you to apply for demo-day, etc. So do prepare your application before.
GOOD LUCK !!!
Sharmistha is an enthusiastic Public health graduate with years of experience in the field of research, data analysis, and report writing. She is a Hanyang University social change maker award winner. She also facilitates sessions for entrepreneurs and youth organizations.
Thanks so much for sharing