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"The Next Wave Fund" is currently closed and not accepting applications.
The Next Wave Fund is sponsored by Google and Kickstarter. The Next Wave Fund supports early-stage tech startups and small businesses building bold new ideas across hardware, software, gaming, and connected technology in Africa.
It provides funding, tools, and visibility to help businesses launch, grow, and reach new audiences, including hands-on guidance for crowdfunding campaigns, no-cost training from Google experts, and opportunities for marketing exposure.
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Support Package Eligibility Review Process Webinar FAQs Resources The Next Wave Fund supports early-stage tech startups and small businesses building bold new ideas across hardware, software, gaming, and connected technology. Backed by Google and Kickstarter, it provides funding, tools, and visibility to help businesses launch, grow, and reach new audiences. Be part of the Next Wave " loading="lazy" src="https://no-cache.
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style. display='none'"> The Next Wave Fund supports early-stage tech startups and small businesses building bold new ideas across hardware, software, gaming, and connected technology. Backed by Google and Kickstarter, it provides funding, tools, and visibility to help businesses launch, grow, and reach new audiences.
Be part of the Next Wave " loading="lazy" src="https://no-cache. hubspot. com/cta/default/48242793/interactive-210826830123.
png" style="height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill" onerror="this. style. display='none'"> Each recipient of the Next Wave Fund will receive a support package that includes: Hands-on guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team to prepare for a successful crowdfunding campaign — from strategy and positioning to launch execution and community engagement.
A $10,000 pledge toward their funding goal when their project goes live on Kickstarter. No-cost access to training designed and taught by experts at Google, such as the Google AI Professional Certificate and workshops led by Grow with Google Coaches. Access to Kickstarter’s community forum for entrepreneurs in the design and technology spaces.
Opportunities for marketing exposure and promotion throughout the program, including promotion of your crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter’s newsletter and social channels. Opportunity to apply to join Google Accelerators as their business grows and scales. You are an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees.
Your project is focused on technology or digital gaming. For this fund, we define a technology project as one that incorporates hardware, software, new materials, or innovative functionality in the product being developed. Gaming projects should incorporate software or hardware.
At least one member of your team is a citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder in the United States. The primary contact for your project must be at least 18 years old. The bank account for the project is located in the United States.
The project is a fit for all of Kickstarter's rules . You are an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees. Your project is focused on technology or digital gaming.
For this fund, we define a technology project as one that incorporates hardware, software, new materials, or innovative functionality in the product being developed. Gaming projects should incorporate software or hardware. At least one member of your team is a citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder in the United States.
The primary contact for your project must be at least 18 years old. The bank account for the project is located in the United States. The project is a fit for all of Kickstarter's rules .
Projects will be evaluated based on input and criteria from representatives from Kickstarter and Google. You’ll be notified of the status of your application within six weeks. Projects will be evaluated based on input and criteria from representatives from Kickstarter and Google.
You’ll be notified of the status of your application within six weeks. Apply to the Next Wave Fund Innovation thrives with the right support. Together, we’re helping entrepreneurs launch bold ideas, build momentum, and create lasting impact.
" loading="lazy" src="https://no-cache. hubspot. com/cta/default/48242793/interactive-210720301688.
png" style="height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill" onerror="this. style. display='none'"> Meet the First Recipients of the Google Next Wave Fund From robotic hands and AI translation to respiratory health and digital scent, these creators are turning ambitious ideas into reality with support from the Kickstarter x Google Next Wave Fund.
Explore the full list of recipients and the innovative projects they’re bringing to life. Making robotic hands more accessible. Rethinking how we block unwanted noise.
Reimagining healthy eating with AI Colin Giblin, Omara by OVR Technology Adding scent to digital experiences. Breaking language barriers with AI. Building a new category around respiratory health.
Watch the webinar recording Missed the live session? Watch the recording to hear directly from Kickstarter's Design & Technology team about what it takes to build a successful crowdfunding campaign. • You are an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees.
• The project representative submitting the application must be at least 18 years old and a citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder in the United States. The project representative who acts as the verified identity for launching the project on Kickstarter must meet the same requirements. • Both the organization and the bank account linked to your Kickstarter project must be located in the United States.
You must launch your Kickstarter project within six months of being selected. No. We welcome applicants with varying levels of experience. We plan to select applicants on a rolling basis for the next year.
The application consists of up to 38 questions about you, your team (if relevant), and your project idea. You can download the full set of questions in advance here . No. The $10,000 pledge, along with other support associated with this fund, is exclusively available to selected applicants who are launching a Kickstarter project for their idea.
You’ll need to launch your Kickstarter project within six months of being selected as a recipient of the fund. If your project successfully reaches its funding goal, you can expect to receive the $10,000 pledge along with the rest of the funds raised during your campaign within two to three weeks after your campaign concludes. Find more information on creator payouts here .
Kickstarter uses an all-or-nothing funding model . This means we don’t release funds unless a project meets its goal. This ensures that creators have enough money to deliver on their promises and aren’t expected to complete a project without the necessary funds.
This also assures backers that they’re funding creative ideas that are set to succeed. When you’re ready to try your hand at another launch, we’re here to help you succeed. Plenty of Kickstarter creators learn valuable lessons from their first campaign that help them succeed down the road.
Each recipient will receive no-cost access to training designed and taught by Grow with Google, and an opportunity to apply to Google Accelerators programs as your business grows. Everything you need to get your project off the ground, reach the right people, build a marketing campaign, and see it through. Looking for guidance?
Browse our directory to connect with partners who can support you with strategy, marketing, manufacturing, fulfillment, and more. These expert-led videos will guide you through selecting the right partners, planning your marketing, and building a strategy to secure funding successfully. " data-embed-response-width="200" data-embed-response-height="113" data-embed-url="https://www.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: African startups (early-stage tech startups and small businesses) building bold new ideas across hardware, software, gaming, and connected technology. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows US$10,000 pledge toward crowdfunding goal, plus tools and visibility. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was September 30, 2001, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
The Next Wave Fund is funded by Google and Kickstarter. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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