Access To Funding

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Seed Funding to Accelerate Your Momentum

GLIDE is proud to offer seed funding for technology-based startups and small businesses through the Innovation Fund — a nonprofit that helps technology startups accelerate their growth through early-stage funding and education. Two levels of funding are available based on where your business is in its growth journey and its goals.

Innovation Fund Award Levels

Most often, Innovation Fund awards represent the first investment into a company after personal assets have been expended but before investment from outside firms. Each award has specific requirements, and portfolio companies are expected to give back educationally and financially.

  • “A” Award — This award provides up to $50,000 to late imagining-stage businesses. Awards at this level are used to “prove the technology” through finalizing the prototype, conducting additional research and testing, and filing a patent. Recipients are encouraged to return to apply for a “B” Award once they have successfully fulfilled the business and education requirements outlined in their signed agreement.
  • “B” Award — This award — up to $150,000 — is provided to incubating phase companies. Awards at this level are used to “prove the business concept” through development and refinement of the business plan, market testing, acquisition of market prospects, hiring of key personnel, or other tasks.

Learn more about the fund | Learn how the process works

The Impact of Our Seed Funding

Thanks to seed funding from Innovation Fund, GLIDE has been able to make a meaningful impact on the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thousands of entrepreneurs have utilized Innovation Fund resources to launch their businesses, achieve significant sales growth, create jobs for Northeast Ohio workers, and result in nearly $1 billion in follow-on investments. Learn more about our impact here.

Learn More and Apply Today

Interested in pursuing seed funding through Innovation Fund and our other avenues? Get in touch with the GLIDE team today, or visit the Innovation Fund site to learn more.