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 

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

 

● 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

 

● 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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Up to 8 annually

Vogt Awards

Render Competition

XLerateHealth

LaunchIt

Endeavor Scale Up

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

 

● Access Ventures

● Samtec, UPS, Microsoft Future of Work, and GLI

 

● 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

 

X
X