Virginia Venture Partners (VVP) Launch Grant

Virginia Venture Partners (VVP) Launch Grant is sponsored by Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). Provides $50,000 grants to early-stage companies, including those in technology and innovation sectors, to support their growth and development.

Virginia Venture Partners - Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation Virginia Venture Partners VIPC’s venture capital program, Virginia Venture Partners (VVP), supports entrepreneurs and founding teams building transformative companies in Virginia.

VVP invests in technology, cybersecurity, life sciences, energy, and aerospace startups through grants, pre-seed, and seed-stage funding, providing the critical support needed to fuel company growth and success. Powered by the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF), VIPC’s Launch program offers grants and convertible notes to high-potential, early-stage companies in Virginia.

Launch is a competitive program targeting startups that are pre-MVP, but that demonstrate the potential to commercialize innovation and generate strong economic impact in the Commonwealth. Funding will accelerate the company toward next-stage funding. The Launch Grant is a $50,000 grant opportunity for the next generation of transformative companies at the earliest stage of formation.

Companies must meet the eligibility criteria outlined. A 1:1 non-dilutive capital or in-kind match is required.

Pre-MVP (minimum viable product) Pre-product revenue; excludes non -dilutive capital No angel or venture capital raises; up to $300,000 raised from family and friends acceptable, provided the funds were raised at least 90 days prior to application VIPC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis, selecting only the most promising companies from each applicant pool.

With a highly competitive selection process, VIPC only expects to award a total of 20 grants per year. Applicants should expect a cycle time of 60 days from the application period opening to grant funding. VIPC will provide funding in a single tranche.

Participation rights provide VIPC a right, but not an obligation, to place a downstream investment in the company. Applications for Cycle 6 are now being accepted! Use the “Apply Now” button below to submit your application for consideration.

If your company submitted an application in previous cycle, you may submit a new application or send a company update in bullet format to launch@virginiaipc. org . The application window for Cycle 6 is now closed.

Please stay tuned for information on Cycle 7, which is expected to open on or around October 1. Proposals will not be considered prior to the application window. For questions, please contact launch@virginiaipc.

org . Launch Grant Overview (recording) Launch Grant: DD Score Sheet Launch Grant Company Requirements To learn more about the Launch Grant opportunity, check out these recordings: VIPC Launch Grant Overview Coffee with VVP: Launch Cycle 2 “Ask Me Anything” Still want to learn more about the Launch Grant opportunity?

We encourage you to Join an upcoming Coffee with VIPC’s Virginia Venture Partners and stay for a breakout room dedicated to Launch Q&A. Our free Coffee events occur virtually every other Friday at 9:00 a. m.

See the schedule and register here . Questions about Launch Grant? Reach out to launch@virginiaipc.

org . Launch Grant Cycle 6 Timeline Round 2 Company Interviews Management Team Reference Calls and Additional Questions Review Supplemental Questions Due VIPC offers convertible notes of up to $150,000 through its Launch Note program, providing a next step for previous Launch Grant recipients or an initial entry into direct capital investments. To qualify, companies must meet the eligibility criteria outlined.

A 2:1 match that includes capital from an investment closed within the preceding 90 days of application is required.

Pre-MVP (minimum viable product) to MVP, with early customer traction Less than $200,00 ARR (annual recurring revenue) Equity or near-equity investment up to $750,000; up to $500,000 raised from family and friends acceptable, provided the funds were raised at least 90 days prior to application All convertible notes are issued on an uncapped note, 20% discount, 4% interest rate, and with a Virginia side letter requiring the company to remain headquartered in Virginia for at least three years.

Participation rights provide VVP a right, but not an obligation, to place a downstream investment in the company. VVP Launch Note Convertible Note VVP Launch Note Side Letter Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

If your company is currently raising $300K to $750K apply for the Launch Note: To learn more about the Launch Note, check out these recordings: Coffee with VVP: Launch Cycle 2 “Ask Me Anything” Still want to learn more about the Launch Note opportunity? We encourage you to join an upcoming Coffee with VIPC’s Virginia Venture Partners, which takes place virtually every other Friday at 9:00 a. m.

Information about the next event can be found here . Questions about Launch Note? Reach out to launch@virginiaipc.

org . VVP Pre-Seed and Seed Investments VVP invests in companies with a strong potential for achieving rapid growth and generating significant economic return for entrepreneurs, co-investors, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Through its Pre-Seed and Seed Funds, VVP backs talented, highly skilled teams building transformative, high-growth Virginia companies with the potential to disrupt industries.

Qualified candidates are building scalable solutions for large markets in the technology, cybersecurity, life sciences, energy, and aerospace sectors. VVP invests up to $250,000 in pre-seed-stage startups and up to $1 million in seed-stage startups.

MVP (minimum viable product) with early customer traction Less than $500,00 ARR (annual recurring revenue) Raising $750,000 – $2 million Early customer traction through Series A Up to $3 million ARR (annual recurring revenue) If your company is currently raising more than $750K apply here: VIPC Chief Investment Officer and Vice President, Investment Senior Investment Director, Virginia Venture Partners and VIPC Launch Focus: Software and Cybersecurity Senior Investment Director, Virginia Venture Partners Focus: Life Sciences and Healthcare Senior Investment Director, Virginia Venture Partners Focus: Aerospace, Energy, and Defense Technologies Director, Fund Management and Operations Investment Director, Virginia Invests Investment Director, Virginia Venture Partners Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners Venture Capital Funds Operations Analyst VVP Investment Advisory Board VVP augments the capabilities of its core investment team by leveraging the Virginia Venture Partners Investment Advisory Board (IAB).

This independent, third-party panel consists of leading regional entrepreneurs, angel and strategic investors, and venture capital firms.

Professor of Practice, Department of Aerospace Virginia Tech University VVP Aerospace Investment Committee Energy Efficiency and Financing Programs Manager, Virginia Department of Energy VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee General Partner, Bull City Venture Partners VVP Tech Fund Investment Committee Director, Innovation & Sustainability Technology, Dominion Energy Services, Inc. VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee Principal, D’Amico Technologies Corp (DTC) VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee CEO, Southeastern Capital Investment Holdings, LLC VVP Tech Fund Investment Committee Managing Principal, Blu Venture Investors VVP Tech Investment Committee Special Advisor, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institute of Health (NIH) VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee Managing Partner, In-Q-Tel VVP Aerospace Investment Committee Chief Executive Officer, Angel Capital Association VVP Aerospace Investment Committee Chairman and Founder, The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee Technology Mentor, Virginia SBDC ICAP Program VVP Aerospace Investment Committee Executive Director, Potential Energy DC VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee Board Member, VCU Commercialization Advisory Board VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee Managing Partner, NOVI, LLC VVP Aerospace Investment Committee Vice President, Energy and Shared Resources, Connected DMV VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee CEO, Virginia Biotechnology Association VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee Managing Director, H.

I. G.

BioHealth Partners VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee Chairman, EastBanc Technologies VVP Tech Fund Investment Committee VVP Tech Investment Committee Director, Cleantech to Market VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee Principal, Stratergix, LLC VVP Energy Fund Investment Committee Partner, 3TS Capital Partners VVP Tech Fund Investment Committee Managing Member, Argus Innovation, LLC VVP Life Science Fund Investment Committee VIPC Chief Investment Officer and Vice President, Virginia Venture Partners Investment Committees for: VVP Tech Fund, VVP Life Science Fund, and VVP Energy Fund Chief Executive Officer, Opus8, Inc. VVP Tech Fund Investment Committee Go to Portfolio Company Jobs