Kickstart

Kickstart Grant Program

KickStart Application Status

Q2 applications have closed – Good luck to all that applied!

Now accepting applications for Q3 through June 30th.

The Kickstart Grant Program is designed to support growth-oriented startups within the state to overcome initial hurdles through funding, mentorship, and future growth opportunities. Kickstart is available to help launch your business into the next phase of growth.

Why Apply?

Financial Support: We offer between $5,000 – $50,000 per award to help business owners achieve their next big milestone. This is non-dilutive funding, with no requirement for re-payment, so entrepreneurs can get their businesses up and running faster.

Mentorship Opportunities: By utilizing a Wyoming Business Council program, you are given access to a variety of experiences, including connections with other business founders, support resources, and potential investors — all of which are aimed at helping you attain your next milestone along your growth journey.

Business Support: The goal is to incorporate opportunities to help make your business as successful as possible. This means providing the chance to get feedback on business pitches, profit models, and more. We provide feedback throughout the competition allowing every participant to walk away with something of value even if a grant is not awarded.

Brittnie Faulkner

307-292-0801

[email protected]

Who is Eligible?

Businesses that meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply:

Founded within the state of Wyoming, with plans to remain primarily within the state for at least three years following the date of award;
No more than 25 employees at the time of application and 50% of current employees must be Wyoming residents; and
Potential for high-growth and obtaining markets outside Wyoming.

In addition, one of the company’s founders must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Have completed an accelerator program;
Competed, and been a finalist, in a pitch competition;
Started a business previously with a successful exit; and/or
Started a venture-backed business previously that has failed or closed.

Application Process

There will be one competition cycle per calendar quarter.
Applications can be submitted at any time. Applications submitted prior to the last day of the previous quarter will be reviewed in the following quarter (ie. applications submitted between April 1 and June 30 will be reviewed in Q3). Please refer to the Application Schedule below for additional details.
Applicants will need the following to apply:
- Pitch Deck
- Pre-recorded 5-minute pitch (shared through a private link via Vimeo, YouTube, or similar platform)
- W-9
- Budget Form
- Employee Matrix and Company Growth Form (Please note: This form has two tabs – one for current employees of the company and one for future growth plans of the company. Both tabs need to be submitted with the application.)
Five semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a Virtual Pitch Day with a panel of investors.
Three finalists will advance to a Q&A session with a panel of WBC team members to determine the amount of their respective awards.
Award amounts will be announced upon approval from the Governor’s office.

Check out our FAQ page for additional details!

Application Schedule

Competition Winners