Olin StartUp Grants (OSGs)
WashU Olin Entrepreneurship Program invites WashU-founded and/or St. Louis-based startups to apply for a chance to secure a $25,000 non-dilutive grant for their ventures. Applications Open August 1st.
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How it works:
This fall, in a class called Venture Capital Practice, WashU Olin students are teaming up with real-life venture capitalists to review applications, listen to pitches, and select two winning startups. Our goal is to provide students with an authentic venture capital experience while also extending crucial support to early-stage startups with ties to WashU and/or St. Louis.
Application Details:
- Application Period: August 1st – October 1st
- Application Materials: Pitch Deck (including slides on Problem, Solution, Market & Sizing, Traction, Competition, Go To Market, Team, and Projected Financials)
- Criteria:
- Founders or Co-Founders must have ties to WashU (current students, alumni, or faculty) and/or Founders/Co-Founders who live in St. Louis.
- Startups from any industry with a minimum Total Addressable Market of $1 billion.
- The startups should be in the early stages but demonstrate some level of traction, whether through revenue or a Minimum Viable Product.
- The applying startups should actively seek funding rounds, with $25,000 poised to make a substantial impact.
Selection Process:
- The top 6 startups will be invited to campus to pitch their startup for a half hour to the class (between October 21st – November 29th 4:30-5:30 pm.)
- During this stage, students will review each pitch, asking questions akin to those from real-life Venture Capitalists.
- In early December, students will collaborate with real-life venture capitalists to choose the two startups awarded a $25,000 grant each.
For any questions, feel free to contact Rian Edwards, CEL Associate Director for Entrepreneurship, at rianedwards@wustl.edu.