Funding

We give away funding to entrepreneurial teams through competitions, grants, and more.

If you are an enrolled UC student (either undergraduate or graduate) with a business or nonprofit idea, you can apply for a $500 Spark grant, powered by the Fealy Bearcat Bridge Fund, to test and develop your venture further. The funds must be applied toward your venture development. Funds can be used for the following activities: purchasing prototyping materials or inventory, marketing expenses (including digital advertising), legal fees, technology needs applicable toward your venture, and other items where appropriate for your venture.

Spark Grant awardees will be required to submit a 1-page progress report documenting how you spent the funds and what you learned within 3 months of receiving the award. Awardees will also be required to check in 1-2 times over the 3 month period for a venture progress update.

Priority for funding will be given to students that have a documented relationship with the Center for Entrepreneurship. Spark Grants are offered every semester to enrolled UC students. Spark grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students can apply at any time.

For more info and questions, contact Kate Harmon, Executive Director, Center for Entrepreneurship at harmonkr@ucmail.uc.edu

Launch grants are larger seed grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on need.  They are invitation only — for more info or inquiry, email Kate Harmon at harmonkr@ucmail.uc.edu

We give away the majority of funding to students through competitions— see more on our Competitions page.