3 Equity-Free Funding Sources for Startups
Not Ready for a Pre-Seed Round? Here’s How to Fund Your Startup This Summer Without Giving Up Equity
With Summer approaching, I’ve been getting a few emails from friends who are looking for funding sources to allow them to work on their ventures full-time over the next couple of months. As many of them are not yet ready to raise a full pre-seed or seed round, I made a quick list of several other funding sources for founders looking for capital to experiment and validate their ventures.
Here are three funding opportunities that combine equity-free grants, office space, and resources to support founders over the Summer.
1. Human Capital Fellowship
Offering $50K per founder (up to $250K per team), Human Capital’s fellowship is designed for exceptional founders ready to tackle massive problems. No strings attached, no equity taken. It's about empowering you to focus on building, not fundraising.
$50K per team member, up to $250K total
Assistance with customer discovery, including scheduling calls
24/7 access to a San Francisco office space
There's no requirement to have a fully formed business idea; the focus is on your potential and drive. While there's no obligation to accept further investment, Human Capital may offer additional funding if there's mutual interest. The deadline for applications is May 18.
2. Soma Scholars by Soma Capital
What if you had the freedom to explore your most ambitious ideas without the pressure of immediate monetization? Soma Scholars (by Soma Capital) offers a $30K grant to do just that. Whether you're delving into deep tech, launching a creative project, or researching a groundbreaking concept, this program provides the resources and community to support your journey.
A $30K grant to pursue your project over the summer
Access to an 8,000 sq ft office in NYC or SF
Daily events, meals, and a community of like-minded individuals
Regardless if you're developing a new technology, conducting research, or exploring unconventional ideas, Soma Scholars provides the resources and environment to support your endeavors. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the cohort beginning on June 2nd.
3. NextGen Foresight Fellowship (NGFP)
For those envisioning transformative futures, the NGFP Fellowship offers a platform to bring those visions to life. Targeting young professionals (18-35) at the beginning of their foresight journey, this program provides a $1K initial grant, mentorship, and the opportunity to win a $10K prize. It's about more than funding—it's about joining a global community committed to shaping a better tomorrow through strategic foresight and collaborative action.
A $1K grant to initiate their project
A year-long fellowship with mentorship and community support
Training in foresight methodologies
Eligibility for a $10K prize at the end of the fellowship
This program is ideal for those who aim to create systemic change and envision alternative futures in areas such as climate, democracy, and emerging technologies. Applications close on July 31st.
Final Thoughts
Securing funding doesn't always mean giving up equity. These programs offer support to help you build and refine your ideas without compromising ownership. If you're ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, consider applying to one of these opportunities.
A Personal Update…
As many of you know, I started my entrepreneurial journey at 13, launching Ascendance to help Gen Z turn their passions into real-world careers and solve problems in their communities.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce our next big leap: expop — a 6-month challenge to help high schoolers learn about start-ups and launch their own ventures with expert guidance from industry experts from Google, LinkedIn, HP, Slack, and more.
Over 6 months, we’re helping ambitious teens:
✅ Find a million-dollar idea worth building
✅ Build their prototype
✅ Learn directly from founders, investors & experts from Google, LinkedIn, and more
✅ Win awards, prizes, and launch real ventures
We invite any students, parents, educators, or those interested in joining our journey to join our waitlist now at expop.io (Spots are limited)!
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