Wildcat MicroFund

Wildcat MicroFund is sponsored by Weber State University. The Wildcat MicroFund provides early-stage entrepreneurs across Utah with grants to support the launch and growth of their businesses, emphasizing execution based on completion of specific milestones.

The Wildcat MicroFUND and the process to GetFUNDED is built to accommodate any aspiring entrepreneur, no matter their experience or background. We believe most of the value of the GetFUNDED process to be educational, with the awarded funds being an additional benefit.

The application process has been carefully designed to draw out knowledge from the applicant and inspire the applicant to carefully consider their customer validation, their value proposition, and what business milestones they hope to achieve with the GetFUNDED award. GetFUNDED offered by the Wildcat MicroFUND is NOT a business plan competition.

We are focused on execution, validating scalable and repeatable models, utilizing the best practices of the Lean Startup and Lean Canvas Framework, and providing funding on achievable milestones.

A holistic approach is utilized when reviewing applications to determine if the applicant knows the following: What problem they’re solving or what opportunities have been identified in the marketplace Why they’re solving it Why their solution is the best one for the problem they’re solving What their next, most logical milestones entails Does their product or service have an opportunity to succeed in the marketplace Complete an application by visiting our online application portal: weberwildcatmicrofund.

org There you will register for an account and fill out an application. If you meet the application requirements your application will be reviewed and scored. You will be notified by email if your application is approved or denied based on the score you achieved and your eligibility to participate.

If your application is denied you will be notified by email. The MicroFUND reserves the right to deny an application for any reason. All applications will be reviewed on your ability to describe the problem/solution that your product/service or idea addresses.

Students that have been previously funded will also be reviewed on the progress they have made since getting their last milestone funded. If your application is approved: Step 2: Business Model Preparation If your application is approved you will be notified by email and paired with an expert Wildcat MicroFUND preselected mentor that will assist you as you prepare a business model.

Once your mentor determines your business model is complete you will submit your business model for review and scoring. The business model is provided to you in the portal. You must utilize this process.

If your business model is approved you will receive an email notification instructing you to work on preparing your business pitch deck. The pitch deck is provided to you in the portal to work on with your mentor with instructions on the next steps.

If your business model fails to meet the scoring criteria you are encouraged to continue to work with your mentor and submit your business model until you reach the required score to move forward. Step 3: Pitch Deck Preparation With the support and guidance of your mentor you will prepare a pitch deck from the information contained in your business model. The pitch deck template will be provided to you in the portal.

Upon mentor approval you will submit your completed pitch deck for scoring and review. If your pitch deck is not approved you are encouraged to improve your pitch deck with the support of your mentor to meet the scoring criteria. You must observe a pitch event before you will be approved to participate in an event with your business.

Step 4: Pitching Your Business You will have the opportunity to pitch your business utilizing your approved pitch deck to an expert panel of judges. If your pitch meets scoring criteria you will be awarded funding. Award funds are paid directly to your business and your award check will be mailed to the address provided on your funding forms.

Applications are reviewed on a regular basis during the calendar year. Funding is limited and once application limits have been reached for the year the application portal will be turned off until the following calendar year.

If you want to see what other applications are working on and to get a better idea for the process, come to a Wildcat MicroFUND GetFunded pitch event for free food, to vote for your favorite pitches and an opportunity to network with other business professionals. Visit the Wildcat MicoFUND pitch events calendar for specific dates and times for each event. Pitch events are held over Zoom and in person, across the state.