Starter
$500–$1,000Turn a customer need into something you can test.
Apply for a grantSTUDENT FOUNDERS. GEORGIA BUILT.
Big ideas.
Meet your
first believers.
You see something that could be better.
Let’s help you build it.
Georgia Kickstart Fund backs UGA student founders with grants of $500 to $10,000 and a community invested in what comes next.
ATHENS, GEORGIA
WHAT
IF?
START HERE.
IF?
START HERE.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
STARTS WITH YOU.
STARTS WITH YOU.
$500–$10KFunding for your next step
All majors.Undergraduate and graduate students
Student led.Built around student founders
01 / THE FUNDING
A little capital.
A lot of possibility.
From your first test to your next stage of growth, find the grant that fits where you are.
Regular
$1,000–$5,000Build on revenue or your accelerator experience.
Apply for a grantFollow-on
$5,000–$10,000For previous Regular Grant recipients showing growth.
Apply for a grantMade for UGA founders. A current UGA student must be active in the business and hold at least as much equity as any other individual owner. Bring ambition to build a scalable, full-time venture.
Full eligibility & terms02 / YOUR NEXT MOVE
Less mystery.
More momentum.
Know the path before you take the first step.
Apply
Tell us what you’re building.
Introduce your company and the opportunity. The published application estimate is about 15 minutes.
Initial pitch
Make the case.
If invited, share a recorded pitch of up to 10 minutes.
Final pitch
Let’s talk about what’s next.
Present your business and answer questions in a 30-minute, in-person session.
Based on the published process. Contact the team for current scheduling and response times.
COME WITH A POINT OF VIEW
You don’t need
all the answers.
Bring the evidence.
A compelling pitch connects a real customer problem to a credible next step. Start with these four questions.
Have a question? Talk to usThe problem
Whose problem are you solving, and why does it matter?
The evidence
What have customers said, done, or paid that supports your idea?
The business
How will you reach customers and make the economics work?
The next step
What will this grant help you prove, build, or achieve?
IDEAS GROW THROUGH CONVERSATION.
03 / THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAPITAL
Students backing
students.
Kickstart is a student-managed fund supporting student-run businesses at the University of Georgia.
We believe a promising idea deserves a serious conversation. Bring your perspective, your curiosity, and your commitment to building something that matters.
Connect with the fundYOUR IDEA HAS SOMEWHERE TO GO.
Let’s see what
you can build.
Start your application The application opens in Google Forms. Check current availability with the fund.