Innovation Fund (Startup Traction)
We offer startup traction funding through grants, no interest loans, and program related investments, with the largest funding amounts reserved for innovations that can demonstrate evidence of success and that have the potential to spread across multiple countries. Effecting the change needed to cause a global impact means looking beyond traditional approaches to philanthropy. IIF believes that when our strategic giving is paired with the work of our foundation and partners, we create a critical piece of the puzzle to support global solutions.
APPLICATIONS OPEN WINTER 2024
When we discover or receive an application from an innovation that could unlock opportunities for under-resourced communities or impact a social cause on a global scale—both nonprofit and for-profit—we analyze the viability and impact of that startup. Our Funding Committee reviews each potential opportunity before we finalize any fund. IIF focuses on only 5 impact areas. Below learn about our 5 impact areas and how to apply for financial support.
​
Funding Prerequisite: Must complete our Education & Business Fellowship.
-
$25K USD Startup Traction Grants - Open to Education Program Alumni
-
$50K - $1M USD No Interest Loans & Small Equity Investments - Open to Fellowship Alumni
For startups who have met the following:
-
Completed our Fellowship Program & Created Their Online Investment Profile
-
Successfully Launched / Built Traction / Tested Model / Overcome Risks That Deter Investors
-
Obtained Research Data Gathered By IIF 's Team During Launch To Present To Investors
IIF will work with those startups setup pitch presentations to secure larger investments from our Angel Investor, Corporate Investor, and VC Pledge Partners.
1.
Climate Change
It is time to get innovative with how to improve climate change to impact the whole world. We are looking for startups in the following focus Areas:
-
Renewable Energy
-
Regenerative Agriculture
2.
Education
We are looking for education innovations that will impact and improve the lives of millions.
Focus Areas:
-
21st Century Education
-
Quality Education
3.
Health
We are looking for technologies that will impact and improve the lives of millions.
Focus Areas:
-
Med-Tech
-
EMS
-
Emerging Health Innovations
4.
Technology
We are looking for ways technology can be used to improve the lives of millions.
Focus Areas:
-
Emerging Innovations
-
Artificial Intelligence
-
XR / VR
-
Web3
-
Spatial Computing
5.
Youth
We are looking for innovations that will support our youth in any and all aspects of their lives.
Focus Areas:
-
Mental Health
-
Mentorship
Additional Information
Our Funding Criteria
-
Our Impact: We support startups that align with our 5 impact areas of climate change, education, metaverse, technology, and youth.
-
Scalable and Viable Solutions: We look for products and market solutions that can scale widely and have a financially viable model to ensure availability well into the future.
-
Internal Capacity: We want to ensure we are good partners to organizations we support, so we consider whether we have the ability and capacity to be a value-added partner going forward.