Louisville’s Business Accelerator, Funding, and Support Programs
* Mobile Friendly / PDF Version: Overview chart of Louisville 2020 Programs
Vogt Awards |
Render Competition |
XLerateHealth |
LaunchIt |
Endeavor Scale Up |
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Website |
vogtawards.com | render.capital/competition | xleratehealth.com | Louisville.edu | endeavorlouisville.org |
Application Deadline |
May 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | August 18, 2020 | [Currently closed]
March 1, 2021 for 2021 program |
Features / Benefits |
● $25,000 non-dilutive grant funding
● Full ownership of business, no equity taken ● 10 weeks of lean startup progression through an accelerator program ● Coaching from experienced startup CEOs ● Industry expert mentorship ● Vogt Award alumni access ● Startup network introductions ● Camaraderie through a similar stage, fast paced cohort ● Demo Day + 20th Anniversary Celebration – October 15 |
● $100,000 warrant investments
● Pro bono consulting services ● 1 year membership to a local co-working space ● Access to discounted healthcare plans ● Relocation support, if applicable ● Access to venture investors & potential for follow-on funding from Render Capital ● Pitch & Celebration event – September 22
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● Intensive, 12-week bootcamp
● Works to help refine business model, prepare for investor funding, and help develop applicable healthcare strategies such as regulatory pathway and reimbursement strategy ● Seasoned healthcare team and coaches ● Combines 1:1 interaction with founders and coaches with connection to national network of mentors based on business needs ● Parallel program held in Flint, Michigan
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● 10-week workshop held on Thursday evenings, 6-9pm
● Provides fundamentals of lean startup methodology using Lean Canvas tool ● 1:1 mentoring with experienced coach throughout the program ● Validation of best customers and market prior to launch ● Education on value of a Minimal Viable Product ● Access to local entrepreneurs through topic-based presentations ● Insights from entire coaching staff ● Completion of an investor or consumer-oriented pitch presentation ● Final presentations last class day |
● 8-month growth-acceleration program focused on entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur mentorship
● Kicks off with EY’s “7 Drivers of Growth” business assessment workshop ● In-depth feedback and connections from top mentors around the KY, IN, OH region ● Endeavor mock selection panel and Scale Up Celebration close the program in November
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Differen- tiators |
Non-dilutive funding and accelerator program | Capital-forward program that provides connections and access to pro bono services | Healthcare / Biotech, string footprint in the Midwest and Southeast, national network of mentors and investors | Pre-accelerator training for startups and intrapreneurial concepts
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Scale Up supports high-potential entrepreneurs in the region to identify business needs and goals, pursue scaling to the next level, and gain direct support and mentorship from top regional entrepreneurs and organizations. |
Number Selected |
Up to 6 annually | 8 annually | 6-8 annually | Up to approximately 30 founders/teams
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Up to 8 annually |
Vogt Awards |
Render Competition |
XLerateHealth |
LaunchIt |
Endeavor Scale Up |
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Target Candidate |
Innovative, scalable startups at seed stage of funding and for profit with some traction located in Louisville region | High-growth, scalable startups at early or seed stage of funding. For profit, already incorporated | Scalable startups at early or seed stage of funding that have a coachable founding team with a MVP, solving a market pain, addressing a large market and investable | Anyone with a startup concept, startups and early stage companies, established companies planning to launch a new product, UofL researchers and students | Early-stage startups in KY, IN, & OH with market traction, some early investment, and fast growth. No revenue min./max, but ideal company has $500M-$2M annual revenue |
Eligible Industries |
Tech and tech-enabled industries, not including startups with long regulatory paths | All tech-forward innovations. Encouraged industries match Louisville’s strengths: advanced mfg, healthcare, food and beverage, logistics, data science, AI, IoT & general tech | Healthcare / Biotech which includes medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health and healthcare services | All industries | All industries |
Capital Type |
Non-dilutive grant | Investment through a warrant, with potential to convert up to 5% equity | Introductions to investors | Competitive grants available for UofL researchers, students and alums; military veterans; and under-represented and lower-income entrepreneurs | N/A |
Capital Amount |
$25,000 | $100,000 | N/A | Varies | N/A |
Cost |
Free | Free | 2% common equity | $895 per person with $250/person for the 2nd and 3rd person involved in the same startup or business | $150/month ($1200 total) |
Program Start Date |
August 6, 2020 | September 2020 | August 7, 2020 | August 27, 2020 | April 23, 2020 |
Manager |
Community Foundation of Louisville Inc. | Render Capital | XLerateHealth Inc. | U of L College of Business’ Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship | Endeavor Louisville Inc. |
Funder or Sponsors |
Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund
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● Access Ventures
● Samtec, UPS, Microsoft Future of Work, and GLI
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● Cabinet for Economic Development’s RISE (LEAP) – for KY operations
● Mott Foundation – for Flint, MI operations ● SBA – for national SBIR work ● NIH – Southeast region and 24 universities in this region |
● Ernst & Young (program partner)
● JP Morgan ● PNC |