ARCH GRANTS IS A STARTUP COMPETITION THAT AWARDS $50,000 GRANTS TO STARTUPS THAT ARE IN ST. LOUIS OR THAT ARE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO ST. LOUIS.
Our mission is to create an entrepreneurial culture and infrastructure to build successful companies in St. Louis. Each winner will receive $50,000 in non-dilutive cash. We don’t want a stake in your company; we just want you to stake your company in St. Louis.
In addition, winners will receive pro bono services from top tier companies in the St. Louis region: accounting, marketing, legal, IT and more. Two winning companies will receive an additional $100,000 in follow-on grants from Arch Grants.
COMPETITION OVERVIEW
$50,000 GRANT
All winners receive $50,000 grant (that means no equity)
Pro Bono professional services from top business service providers
Mentorship from some of the top entrepreneuers in the country
FUNDRAISING
All winners have the opportunity for additional funding
Receive introductions to the venture/angel network
Be part of a thriving community of entrepreneurs in St. Louis
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We’re looking for innovative, high growth, early stage ventures with national or international sales potential. We’re not looking for lifestyle businesses or consulting businesses.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Step One
Complete the application form below. We suggest that you work on the answers offline and cut-and-paste them into the form. After the whole brilliant idea thing, the toughest part is being concise. Yes, we limit the length of your answers. Deadline: February 21st, 2014 at midnight CST.
Step Two
When you find out that you’ve reached the second round by March 10th, 2014 (let’s stay positive, right?), we’ll send you a link to the second round form. Here, we will be asking for more detailed information about you and your business. Deadline to complete the Second Round Form: March 17th, 2014.
Step Three
We will invite 50 – 60 companies to come to St. Louis to give their final pitch to a panel of expert judges. Winning entrepreneurs will be selected from this group to receive $50,000 grants and a bundle of free support services. Last year, 20 companies received an Arch Grant!
Finalist Weekend is intended not only to be the culmination of the Arch Grants Global Business Plan Competition, but it is also a St. Louis Showcase. The St. Louis entrepreneurial community comes out to see the Arch Grants Finalists during this very special event.
Companies will be notified of their final status on or before March 28th, 2014, and must accept or reject their spot at Finalist Weekend by April 1st, 2014. Finalist Weekend will be held in late April.
Step Four
We will announce our winners by June 1st, 2014 and invite them to begin our program July 1st, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Arch Grants will help coordinate living and work space arrangements for all grantees.
To get started on an application, click here.