.png){kind=logo}
Empower
Growth
Startup302 is a pitch competition focused on high-growth; early-stage startups led by founders from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, LBGTQ+, and women. For the last three years, the competition has been led and organized by the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. DPP is a nonprofit public/private organization created in 2017 by Delaware Governor John Carney and the state’s legislature to lead Delaware’s statewide economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and support private employers in identifying, recruiting, and developing talent. Startup302’s goals are to strengthen Delaware’s innovation ecosystem by improving access to funding and mentorship for underrepresented entrepreneurs while fostering diverse perspectives, promoting inclusive and equitable consideration, and attracting diverse communities of founders to the region. We believe that Startup302 is a perfect launch pad for those entrepreneurs who need a boost for their venture. In the first three years, more than 200 startups have applied, 37 awards have been granted for a total of $643,000.
Startup302
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.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Technology startups with at least one founding member from an underrepresented group: women, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Startups in bioscience, chemistry, advanced materials, agriculture, financial/business services, e-sports and other tech-enabled areas.
Business models with potential for significant regional, national or international impact.
HOW DOES STARTUP302 WORK?
1
2
3
4
STARTUP302 CONSISTS OF FOUR ROUNDS:
-
Introductory Video and Description
-
Free and open to all to apply
-
Entries reviewed by Startup302 team
-
-
Application Submission and Evaluation
-
Invitation-only based on intro video and description
-
Reviewed by Startup302 steering committee and affiliated judges
-
-
Semifinals
-
Final Pitching Round
-
Teams will have 5 to 10 minutes to pitch
-
Questions from judges follow the pitch
-
All entries must be in English.
Entries will be judged on written concept narratives and live presentations, including question responses; stage of startup; potential opportunity; scalability; regional impact; skills and value added by the management team; and “wow factor.”
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
-
Awards change each year based on sponsorship amounts.
-
Prizes can be anywhere from $3,000-$25,000.
-
Funds will be awarded as grants, with certain awards having geographic restrictions.
-
Prizes are non-dilutive, so winners aren’t required to share ownership in their companies.
-
The 2023 pool prize was $210,000.
APPLICANTS CAN COMPETE ON 1 OF FIVE TRACKS
Early-Stage
Early-stage innovators who have generated less than $10,000 in annual revenue and have raised less than $50,000 in dilutive and/or non-dilutive funding.
Life Sciences
Startups in therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutrition, industrial biotechnology, agriculture biotechnology and other life sciences.
Delaware Impact
Startups residing in Delaware that are tech-enabled – not building the internet, mobile devices or social media platforms but using those technologies.
FinTech
Innovations across sectors, with a focus on fintech, automation, big data, health tech, SaaS and e-commerce innovations for financial services.
Environmental Impact
Startups in cleantech, chemical ingredients from naturally derived sources and ocean-safe products that focus on environmental impact.
Additional Prizes
Cash awards for startups with founders who are University of Delaware alumni, grad Students faculty and that have primary operations in the State of Delaware.
Hear from
Chris Morris
RushRoto
2023 Startup302 Winner
“Testimonials provide a sense of what it's like to work with you or use your products. Change the text and add your own."
Hear from
Melanie Obitz-Bukartek, PhD
College Essay App
2023 Startup302 Winner
"A great testimonial can boost your brand’s image. Click to edit and add your own."
Hear from
Laura Randa
Toivoa
2023 Startup302 Winner
"A great testimonial can boost your brand’s image. Click to edit and add your own."
SPONSORS
Join the impressive roster of Startup302 funders. If you are interested in supporting, volunteering, or learning more about the benefits of becoming a sponsor contact Noah Olson at nolson@choosedelaware.com.
